Question 1

What is the Vastex EconoRed III and what is it used for?

Accepted Answer

The Vastex EconoRed III is a high-capacity electric infrared conveyor/tunnel oven designed for continuous industrial curing and drying of products on a moving belt. The re-engineered III Series was specifically developed to deliver higher cure rates in a smaller footprint and at lower operating cost than its predecessors. It is suitable for a wide variety of continuous applications such as: curing of adhesives, printed graphics, powder coating and resin; heat-shrinking of cable and film; drying of organic material; baking and cooking of food products (with appropriate belt); and numerous other industrial processes.

Question 2

What belt widths and power levels are available in the EconoRed III Series?

Accepted Answer

The EconoRed III is offered in three models: the ER-III-30 with a 30 in. (76.2 cm) belt and 10,800W (10.8 kW); the ER-III-54 with a 54 in. (137 cm) belt and 21,600W (21.6 kW); and the ER-III-78 with a 78 in. (198 cm) belt and 23,400W (23.4 kW). All three models share the same 105 in. (267 cm) overall length and 60.9 in. (154.7 cm) overall height.

Question 3

What is the heat range and temperature control accuracy of the EconoRed III?

Accepted Answer

All EconoRed III models provide a heat range of 0–850°F (0–454°C) at the heater surface at 240V. Temperature is regulated by a digital PID controller accurate to ±1°F (±0.5°C), providing consistent and repeatable thermal profiling across the entire belt width. The control box can be positioned on either the right (standard) or left side of the enclosure to suit plant layout requirements.

Question 4

What is the Vastex Infrared Focusing System and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

The Vastex Infrared Focusing System, standard on all EconoRed III models, allows heaters to be adjusted to any height from 2 to 7 in. (5.1–17.7 cm) above the belt, or tilted at an angle, to accommodate items of varying thickness or geometry. Adjusting heater proximity concentrates or spreads the infrared energy density, enabling operators to optimize cure conditions for specific substrates and product profiles without replacing any components.

Question 5

How does the EconoRed III differ from convection or gas-fired tunnel ovens?

Accepted Answer

Unlike gas-fired or forced-air convection ovens, the EconoRed III uses electric medium-wavelength infrared emitters that transfer heat directly to the substrate surface rather than heating surrounding air. This results in faster heat-up, more energy-efficient curing, no combustion byproducts, and simpler installation with no gas supply or flue venting required. The closely spaced heater coils produce high-density infrared heat that eliminates cold spots common in convective systems, and precise digital PID control is more readily achieved with electric infrared than with gas-fired heat.

Question 6

What are the belt speed range and achievable dwell times?

Accepted Answer

All EconoRed III models support belt speeds from 1.8 to 23.6 FPM (0.6–7.2 MPM), providing a wide range of dwell times within the 54 in. (137 cm) heating chamber. Adding a second modular heating chamber extends maximum dwell time further, supporting processes that require longer exposure at cure temperature. The belt speed control provides infinitely variable adjustment for precise process repeatability.

Question 7

What exhaust and ventilation system does the EconoRed III include?

Accepted Answer

Each model includes a filtered powered exhaust system sized to its heating chamber: the ER-III-30 provides 650 CFM (18.4 CMM), the ER-III-54 provides 550 CFM (15.6 CMM), and the ER-III-78 provides 700 CFM (19.9 CMM). All models use an 8 in. (20.4 cm) diameter exhaust duct connection. The filtered exhaust removes fumes and excess moisture from the heating chamber and simultaneously cools the outer skin of the unit, reducing surface temperatures and improving operator safety.

Question 8

What conveyor belt options are available?

Accepted Answer

The standard conveyor belt is a Teflon®-coated fiberglass belt measuring 105 in. (266.7 cm) in overall length, rated to a maximum of 550°F (288°C). A low-friction belt aligner maintains tracking under load. Optional belt materials include Kevlar® mesh for high-heat applications, food-grade belting for sanitary environments, and stainless steel mesh configurations for specialized processes.

Question 9

What electrical configurations are available for the EconoRed III?

Accepted Answer

All EconoRed III models are rated 50/60 Hz and support multiple electrical configurations. The ER-III-30 is available at 240V/1Ph (56A FLA), 240V/3Ph (35A FLA), 400V/3Ph (20A FLA), or 480V/3Ph (17A FLA). The ER-III-54 supports 240V/1Ph (105A FLA), 240V/3Ph (64A FLA), 400V/3Ph (33A FLA), or 480V/3Ph (29A FLA). The ER-III-78 supports 240V/1Ph (113A FLA), 240V/3Ph (68A FLA), 400V/3Ph (40A FLA), or 480V/3Ph (35A FLA). All models must be hard-wired to the supplied power terminal by a licensed electrician in accordance with NEC articles 210.20(a), 215.3, and 310.

Question 10

Can the EconoRed III be expanded to increase production capacity?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The EconoRed III is fully modular. One or two additional heating chambers can be added to any model to double or triple throughput without replacing the base unit — the conveyor belt is extended and the belt speed setting is adjusted accordingly. This allows facilities to start with the minimum capacity required and scale up cost-effectively as production demand grows, avoiding the capital expense of a larger oven at initial purchase.

MODEL	ER-III-30	ER-III-54	ER-III-78
Heater Warranty	5 Year	5 Year	5 Year
Defect Warranty	2 Year	2 Year	2 Year
Belt Speed	1.8-23.6 FPM* (0.6-7.2 MPM)	1.8-23.6 FPM* (0.6-7.2 MPM)	1.8-23.6 FPM* (0.6-7.2 MPM)
Exhaust (Free Air) (Free Air)	650 CFM (18.4 CMM)	550 CFM (15.6 CMM)	700 CFM (19.9 CMM)
Exhaust Diameter	8" (20.4 cm)	8" (20.4 cm)	8" (20.4 cm)
Overall Length	105" (267 cm)	105" (267 cm)	105" (267 cm)
Overall Width	45.2" (114.8 cm)	69.2" (175.8 cm)	93.2" (236.7 cm)
Overall Height	60.9" (154.7 cm)	60.9" (154.7 cm)	60.9" (154.7 cm)
Belt Width	30" (76.2 cm)	54" (137 cm)	78" (198 cm)
Chamber Length	54" (137.2 cm)	54" (137.2 cm)	54" (137.2 cm)
Chamber Infeed Width	34.5" (87.7 cm)	58.5" (149 cm)	82.5" (209 cm)
Chamber Infeed Height (adjustable)	2" - 7" (5 - 17.7 cm)	2" - 7" (5 - 17.7 cm)	2" - 7" (5 - 17.7 cm)
Heat Range (@ Heater)	0-850F° (0-454C°) @ 240V	0-850F° (0-454C°) @ 240V	0-850F° (0-454C°) @ 240V
Heater Size	12" x 24" (30 x 61 cm)	12" x 48" (30 x 122 cm)	12" x 72" (30 x 183 cm)
Total Wattage	3 @ 3,600 = 10,800 Watts (10.8 kW) @240V 3 @ 3,000 = 9,000 Watts (9.0 kW) @ 400V & 480V	3 @ 7,200 = 21,600 Watts (21.6 kW) @240V 3 @ 6,000 = 18,000 Watts (18.0 kW) @ 400V & 480V	3 @ 7,800 = 23,400 Watts (23.4 kW) @ 240V, 400V, & 480V
Electrical Specs All ovens 50/60HZ	240V, 1 Phase 3 wire FLA = 56A 240V, 3 Phase 4 wire FLA = 35A 400V, 3 Phase 5 wire FLA = 20A 480V, 3 Phase 4 wire FLA = 17A	240V, 1 Phase 3 wire FLA = 105A 240V, 3 Phase 4 wire FLA = 64A 400V, 3 Phase 5 wire FLA = 33A 480V, 3 Phase 4 wire FLA = 29A	240V, 1 Phase 3 wire FLA = 113A 240V, 3 Phase 4 wire FLA = 68A 400V, 3 Phase 5 wire FLA = 40A 480V, 3 Phase 4 wire FLA = 35A
Electrical Connection	All amps shown are FLA (Full Load Amps), not recommended line size! Ovens on this page must be hard-wired to the power terminal provided. A licensed electrician must be consulted and should refer to articles 210.20(a), 215.3 and 310 of the NEC code.
Conveyor Belt Material	Teflon^® coated fiberglass standard, Kevlar^® mesh, Food Grade and other TPI available. (Limit 550°F/288°C)

™

INFRARED CONVEYOR/TUNNEL OVEN

Modular expandability allows your oven to grow with you