Method and apparatus for selectively curing a sheet of EPDM material

An apparatus for selectively curing a sheet of ethylene-propylene diene termonomer (EPDM) material, the sheet having a field and longitudinal edge areas bordering the field, the apparatus comprising:

• a curing oven having a roof and a floor interconnected by sidewalls, a front end and a back end, the front end including an entrance and the back end including an exit, a conveyor positioned between the front end and the back end of the curing oven for continuously conveying the sheet of EPDM through the curing oven;
• a radiation source located above the conveyor within the curing oven;
• and
• at least one screen operatively projecting from each sidewall of the curing oven and extending the longitudinal length of the curing oven to cover at least one edge area of the sheet and shield the edge area of the sheet of EPDM as the sheet passes through the curing oven under the radiation source.