Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for monitoring a UV curing lamp system to determine whether a UV-curable material passing through the curing lamp system is being properly cured. A thermal sensor is disposed to measure the temperature of gas being exhausted from a center tube of the UV curing lamp system. The center tube typically has nitrogen gas pumped into it to purge air from the center tube. The UV-curable material passes through the center tube. If a defect exists in the center tube, or if insufficient UV radiation is reaching the UV-curable material, the temperature of the gas stream exhausted from the center tube will drop. The temperature of the gas is compared to first and second threshold values, respectively, to determine whether a defect in the center tube exists or whether insufficient radiation is reaching the UV-curable material, respectively.

Abstract: A removable rack for supporting a reflector in an oven having a light source where the reflector focuses light emitted from the light source in a predetermined manner. The preferred removable rack is arranged and configured to support a mirror array therein where the entire rack can be removably fixed to the interior of the oven in which it will be used. The rack is preferably arranged and configured to releasably engage the mirror array therein. A method for replacing a reflector disposed in the internal portion of an oven having a light source comprising the steps of providing a removable support rack for releasably supporting the reflector removably fixed to an interior portion of an oven. A reflector can be replaced by removing a member, fixing the removable support rack to the interior portion of the oven and removing the removable support rack from the interior of the oven.