By Olivia Cahoon
Part 2 of 2
Digitally printed applications with UV compatible inks, coatings, and adhesives are finished with a UV or UV LED curing system. These devices are available with flood and spot capabilities for a variety of products in food, beverage, electronic, and packaging sectors. Curing systems are selected based on design, wavelength, and lamp life.
Available Curing Systems
Digital printing continues to make inroads into manufacturing environments due to advancements in UV LED curing systems. Updated features in speed, design, and control processes enable efficiency for industrial-type applications. Here, we provide a selection of available UV LED curing systems.
American Ultraviolet
Released in February 2018, American Ultraviolet’s ModCure is a linear UV LED curing module. Its adjustable UV output is compatible with printer and ink curing requirements. Based on modular design, the system features multiple modules linked together to achieve the required curing width of the printer or substrates. Most systems are custom engineered for specific applications and machines, as such, price varies.
ModCure features 90 millimeter (mm) cores that can be combined for up to 360 mm of cure width in a single curing head. It uses air cooling to maintain optimal LED performance. Overheat Protection shuts off LEDs if temperature exceeds critical limit. The UV LED lamp offers a 395 nanometer (nm) wavelength with optional integration into full production line 365, 385, and 405 nm wavelengths. LED modules can be grouped together to form the required cure width for the printer and/or maximum cure width for the substrate.
Excelitas Technologies Corp.
Excelitas Technologies released the OmniCure AC8-HD Series UV LED curing system in February 2018. The air cooled system delivers over 15 watts per square centimeter (w/scm) peak irradiance. It offers three standard cure widths from six to 12 inches and can be adjoined to customize and achieve numerous curing sizes.
The OmniCure AC8-HD Series features tight output and process control through patented module control and calibration. Available in 385, 395, and 405 nm wavelengths, the series provides a typical 20,000 hour lifetime and reduces running costs compared to arc lamp solutions.
GEW Ltd.
The GEW ArcLED allows the use of a conventional UV mercury arc lamp or LED array on the same print unit. Both arc and LED cassettes are compatible with the same power supply and fit the same housing. After inserting the cassette, the ArcLED Rhino control automatically recognizes the cassette type and adjusts the Rhino control to provide the correct power type and running parameters.
GEW’s patented LW1 lamphead is available in wavelengths of 385, 395, and 405 nm in power levels up to 22 w/scm. It features a water-cooled design for higher power levels and reliability. The lamphead offers fast curing, up to two times the speed on white silkscreen and base white. It is also designed for low maintenance with no shutters, reflectors, moving parts, or lamps to replace.
Heraeus Noblelight
The Heraeus Semray is based on a unique, modular plug-and-play platform to offer industrial printers the easiest retrofit into existing production lines. It also delivers increased uptime due to easy maintenance and quick segment changes.
Its advanced micro-optics enable higher working distances without sacrificing production speeds. Semray offers 365, 385, 395, and 405 nm peak wavelengths. It features one UV LED segment, backplane, data cable, and power cable for simple operation.
Phoseon Technology
Released in Fall 2018, Phoseon FireLine FL440 is a water-cooled UV LED curing system for multi- and single-pass applications. Its architecture allows systems to be built up to two meters in length. Peak irradiance at wavelengths is available in 12 w/scm at 365 nm and 24 w/scm at 395 nm.
The FireLine FL440 uses the highest UV LED power Phoseon lamp for maximum energy density and features wide window light emissions for extended UV exposure. It features a scalable design to accommodate flexible lamp length requirements and offers emitting window sizes from 125×20 to 300×20 mm. It is IP67 rated for rugged environments.
Solutions for All
UV LED curing devices are available in a variety of styles and sizes to match specific application needs while meeting proper thermal management. Currently, a great selection of systems are available for industrial printing applications.
Click here to read part one of this exclusive online series, In the Works.
Mar2019, Industrial Print Magazine