Heating apparatus and process for drawing polyolefin fibers

A heating apparatus and process useful for drawing ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin fibers, such as polyethylene fibers. The heating apparatus includes a first set of rolls and a plurality of aligned ovens. The apparatus includes a second set of rolls at the exit of the ovens which rolls are adapted to provide the desired drawing of the polyolefin fibers. The apparatus and process provide a single draw step in a heated environment, with the use of preferably four or six horizontal ovens.