Preheating Parts with a Hot Sand Bed

Question:

Have you heard of or know anyone that uses a hot sand bed for the heating of parts? The bed may not be filled with sand, but it may be another media. I am looking for a fast preheat system for a special application. W.D.

Answer:

I do not have any personal knowledge of a hot fluidized sand bed being used as preheat prior to powder coating. Having said that, I do not know why you couldn't do it. I suspect that the cost of the equipment would be the primary reason why one would not use such a device. There are many other ways to preheat parts more efficiently and cheaply. Look at IR ovens, convection ovens and induction coils for fast preheating of parts before powder coating. These systems have a long track record and can be less costly (except for the induction coil) than using a hot sand bed.