Infrared heating apparatus and method for a printing press

摘要

A dryer (10, 200) is provided for use in drying freshly printed substrates such as corrugated sheets (14). A plurality of infrared heating lamps (28) are positioned below the travel path (16) of the corrugated sheets (14) and the heat lamps are physically separated from the corrugated sheets by glass panels (108, 110). Provisions are made for cooling the heat lamps by air flow. A plurality of air bars (40) are also provided with pressurized air to discharge air through ports (42) in the upper surfaces thereof for discharge against the corrugated sheet. Air discharged against the corrugated sheet and used to cool the heat lamps is collected and removed by a vacuum pump (48). This pump (48) is also used to remove moisture laden air which has been dislodged from the sheets by the combination of infrared heat and high pressure air.