Literally scores of successful industrial applications have proven the economics and technical superiority of electric infra-red, radiant heating systems for production. In most cases the performance of the radiant heating equipment cannot be readily matched by other commonly used heating mediums. For example, the relative low thermal mass of the short wave type of infra-red heating elements provide instantaneous response to heat up and cool down commands, enabling precise process control. The ability to efficiently direct radiant energy to the objects to be processed is also an advantage since energy is not wasted in heating auxiliary equipment and structures. Other benefits characteristic of infra-red radiant heating include savings in floor space, cleanliness of operation and the convenience of controlling a variety of functions automatically. The efficiencies and available energy transfer capabilities of short wavelength, radiant, infra-red ovens enables designs to be one third the size of comparable convection ovens.