Abstract: A heating device having a sinuous, expanded metal heating element of high intensity and quick response mounted upon chemically inert non-woven alumina-silica filler refractory material. The heating element is fabricated of metal sheeting by slitting and expanding it to a selected shape, mesh size, strand width and gauge to provide uniform distribution of radiant energy over the entire face area of the heating element at elevated temperatures in which the watt density and heating element area are not limited by available voltage and temperature.

Abstract: A radiant heating modular array of rapid response radiant heating units includes a plurality of abutting heating element frame units in which the intermediate frame units have open sides and the end frame units have closed outer sides. Means on the front and back walls of the frame units support a plurality of thin foil radiant heating elements. Means including connectors of equal length interconnect the heating elements within each frame unit and from each of the abutting frame units to its contiguous unit whereby all of the heating elements are equally spaced laterally of the entire module to provide uniform heating and to avoid heat striation at the juncture of the units. The radiant heating module is controlled by electronic feedback circuitry including optical temperature sensors whereby the applied heat can be profiled to compensate for processing irregularities.