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IR Laboratory OvenFrom lab test to production — develop, validate, scale

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Before investing, the process must be right. The SOPARA IR laboratory oven is a compact, high-precision infrared oven for research laboratories and industrial R&D departments. It enables testing IR heating processes at lab scale, optimizing parameters and documenting results — before specifying a production solution. The oven reaches up to 500°C product temperature and is available in four configurations. Control via IR pyrometer and PLC with touch panel allows precise control and recording of temperature curves — exportable via USB in Excel format. Parameters tested in the SOPARA lab oven can be directly scaled to SOPARA production ovens and dryers — same lamps, same wavelengths, same control technology.

Technical Documentation

Brochure

Manual

STEP / Drawing

Technical Data

Max. Temperature500 °C

Oven Dimensions900 × 700 × H 1.900 mm

Configurations4 variants in short-wave or medium-wave

ControlIR pyrometer (non-contact)

ControllerPLC with 7-inch color touchscreen

Recipe ManagementCycle and recipe management via PLC

Data ExportTemperature curves via USB (Excel format)

DesignCold-wall oven

SafetyAutomatic heating stop on door opening

Custom DimensionsCustomer-specific on request

Benefits

From lab to production — Tested parameters can be directly scaled to SOPARA production dryers — same technology, reproducible results.

Precise pyrometer control — Non-contact temperature measurement for reproducible test results.

Documentation — Temperature curves exportable in Excel format via USB.

Instant heating — The IR oven reaches temperature in seconds.

Cold-wall design — Outer wall stays cool. Automatic heating stop on door opening.

Compact — 900 × 700 × H 1,900 mm — fits in any laboratory.

Reference project

Process validation before production investment: SOPARA conducts material tests in their own infrared laboratory in Pusignan — with identical technology as in production ovens. Customers receive documented test results as decision basis.

Available Options

Four standard configurations — two short-wave, two medium-wave variants

Customer-specific dimensions and power ratings on request

Extended recipe management with multiple programs

Additional temperature measurement points

Network connection for remote monitoring

More options on request

Applications

Material development — Testing IR suitability of new coatings, adhesives and substrates.

Composite research — Thermoplastic and thermoset samples, prepreg tests

PVC/TPO tests — Testing gelation temperature and foaming behavior

Quality assurance — Reproducible comparison tests with documented temperature curves

For machine builders: Recommend the SOPARA lab oven as a development tool

For plant operators: Validate the IR process before investing in production equipment

Why SOPARA

84 years of infrared expertise — Founded 1942 in France. As one of the oldest specialty brands for industrial infrared technology, SOPARA brings over eight decades of development and manufacturing expertise to every plant.

References with European industry leaders — SOPARA IR systems are running at market leaders in automotive, composites, flooring and nuclear — powering the most demanding thermal processes at French and European top companies.

Test laboratory in Pusignan near Lyon — Your material is validated in the SOPARA infrared lab on actual substrates: wavelength, power density and process parameters. Concrete results before the investment decision — no theory, no assumptions.

System expertise — from component to turnkey plant — Not just IR lamps. SOPARA delivers complete thermal process solutions: lamps, reflectors, protective glass, IR fields, power control, switchgear and process control. One contact for the entire thermal process. Made in France, ISO 9001:2015 certified, 5 % of sales invested in R&D.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an IR laboratory oven? — A compact infrared oven for research and development. Enables material tests, formulation optimization and process validation on a small scale — before investing in production plants.

What experiments is the LO-IR suitable for? — Drying tests, gelation tests, foaming tests, wavelength optimization and power density determination for various materials.

Is the LO-IR compatible with SOPARA production systems? — Yes — the results from the laboratory oven are directly transferable to SOPARA production systems. Same lamp types, same control philosophy.

Does SOPARA also offer lab trials in their own test laboratory? — Yes — the SOPARA laboratory in Pusignan near Lyon is available to customers for material tests. Alternative to owning a laboratory oven.