Harold R. Powers is a staff engineer in the Design Engineering Laboratory at Sherwin-Williams Chemical Coatings Division, The Sherwin-Williams Co., Cleveland, OH. Sherwin-Williams Design Engineering Group analyzes customer finishing lines and makes recommendations for reducing costs, reducing waste, achieving compliance, improving quality and improving production rates. For more information, call 800.524.5979 or visit www.sherwin-williams.com/oem.
With natural gas costs increasing to a recent average of about $8.75 per 1,000 cubic feet ($0.875 per therm), finishers are looking for ways to reduce energy consumption and operating costs. The curing oven is one of the first places to start.