Sep 17, 2021 | Blog
When it comes to UV light curing, there are a couple options to get the job done: arc lamps and LED. Which will work best depends on several factors. Here, we break down the benefits of UV LED systems and how they are lighting the future of curing.
UV LED Advantages
UV light emitting diodes (LEDs) are semiconductor components that produce light when an electrical current flows through them. UV LEDs are growing in popularity for curing applications for several reasons:
- Because LEDS can be instantly turned on and off, no warmup or cooldown is required. This also makes them more energy efficient since they require less input power and can be powered off between cycles.
- With their cool output, LEDs provide low radiant heat to the product being cured.
- LEDs offer a narrow spectral width with no unwanted wavelengths, as well as improved light uniformity with even distribution over the items being cured.
- There are fewer safety issues with LEDs because there is no fragile glass lamp or filter that could shatter.
- With a life expectancy of more than 20,000 hours and no mercury content, LEDs are also a more environmentally friendly option.
Our UV LED Systems
Our LED curing systems use cool output UV LEDs in four spectral types for high-intensity, rapid curing. They are ideal for applications sensitive to heat or those with a narrow spectral range.
SkyRay LED Curing System
- Curing area: 5 x 5″
- Up to 2200 mW/cm2 intensity at 1″
- Microprocessor control of time and intensity
- Remote control and reporting via PC or PLC
- Integrated lamp head, power supply and controller
SkyRay + Rayven UV Curing Chamber
- Curing area: 5 x 5″
- Up to 2200 mW/cm2 intensity at 1″
- Shielded benchtop curing chamber
- Adjustable shelf height
- Integrated lamp head, power supply and controller
SkyBeam LED Spot Curing System
- Curing area: from 3mm–15mm
- From 900–14,000 mW/cm2 intensity
- Four independent irradiation channels
- Built-in power supply
- Long-life flexible light guides in four wavelengths
Curing Solutions for Every Application
Our team will work with you to find the best curing option for your application. While LED curing offers many advantages, an arc lamp is sometimes a better choice.
Let us know your application details and specific curing requirements using our online form or contact us by phone or email, and we’ll provide a system recommendation. We also offer free sample testing and demo units if required, to ensure the system will meet your needs.
Sep 17, 2021 | Blog
If you’re searching for an adaptable and easy-to-use UV light curing oven, meet the Rayven and Rayven Quad. These versatile UV curing chambers are made to attach to our line of flood curing systems with absolutely no tools required. They provide dependable shielding protection for any of your light curing applications.
A primary advantage of curing with ultraviolet light is the speed at which a material can be processed. Speeding up the curing time can reduce flaws and errors by decreasing the amount of time that an ink or coating spends wet. This, in turn, can increase the quality of a finished item and potentially allow for greater consistency. Decreasing manufacturing time also reduces the need for additional space for storing items that can’t be used until the drying step is finished.
Because UV energy has unique interactions with many different materials, it allows for the creation of products with characteristics not achievable via other means. This has led to UV curing becoming fundamental in many fields of manufacturing and technology, where changes in strength, hardness, durability, chemical resistance and many other properties are required.
Features of the Rayven
The Rayven, the smaller of the two units, is designed to be used with our IntelliRay, SunRay and SkyRay curing systems. This compact chamber only weighs 9 lbs. and measures approximately 12” in height, width and depth, making it very easy to maneuver and store.
This compact UV curing chamber is packed with a range of features including:
- Easy installation: no tools required, easily attaches directly to bottom of Uvitron flood curing systems
- 360° shielding: completely sealed, protects from every angle
- Adjustable height curing tray: offers five repeatable curing distances
- Dual rear-panel D-sub connectors: allow pass through of IntelliRay and SkyRay control signals for external monitor control via PC, PLC or other device
- Door-mounted lamp-on indicator: easy-to-spot indicator shows when curing process is live
Features of the Rayven Quad
The Rayven Quad is a larger version, designed to be used with our IntelliRay Quad and SunRay Quad flood systems.
It features many of the same benefits as the Rayven, but with a more spacious interior. It has all the features of the Rayven listed above, with an adjustable height curing tray that allows for nine repeatable curing distances.
For additional safety, both models include a door interlock, which, when used with the IntelliRay systems, automatically causes their shutters to close when the door is opened.
Contact Uvitron
We pride ourselves on our reputation for manufacturing and selling quality products, and offer lifetime support for all of our products, including the Rayven and Rayven Quad. If you have any questions regarding our versatile UV curing chambers, contact us today.
Sep 17, 2021 | Blog
UV light emitting diodes (LEDs) are semiconductor components that produce light when electrical current flows through them. UV LED systems are growing in popularity for a wide variety of materials, but is LED curing right for your application?
Our UV LED Systems
Our curing systems use cool-output, long-life UV LEDs in multiple spectral types for high-intensity, rapid curing. They are a great match for substrates that are sensitive to heat or for adhesives and coatings designed to work with a narrow spectral range.
This high-intensity, cool-operation LED spotlight curing system:
- Includes a long-life light guide
- Supports up to four independently operating light guides with a variety of lens types
- Weighs only 3.25 lbs.
- Features easy to use exposure time controls, foot pedal activation and a built-in power supply
- Cures areas from 3mm to 15mm (lens dependent)
A compact, programmable LED flood curing system that:
- Includes all system components in a small lamp head for easy mounting anywhere on a factory floor without requiring a remote controller, power supply box or remote cooler
- Illuminates a 5 x 5” curing area with cool and evenly distributed, high-intensity light
- Can be mounted side by side with multiple units for a larger curing area
- Can be used in conjunction with the light-shielding Rayven chamber, UV Conveyor 40 Plus or the SunBelt BT9 conveyor, all designed for laboratory or high-volume production applications
Application Matters
Compared to arc lamps, UV LED sources are more energy efficient, have a more consistent output, transmit less heat to the substrate and last up to 10 times longer (ours have a life expectancy over 20,000 hours). But that doesn’t mean they are right for every application. If you have a very large cure surface, require a scratch-resistant finish, or have a surface with a lot of contours, arc lights may still be the best option.
It’s important to remember that UV LED curing works best with materials—inks, coatings, varnishes and adhesives—that are formulated to react to the available output of this light source.
So, is LED curing right for your application? Contact us and tell us your application details including the dimensions, weight and exposure area of the part to be cured; the wavelength range; irradiance; energy; desired rate of production; and other specific requirements. We’ll recommend the best curing option for your project. If needed, we also offer free sample testing and demo units to verify compatibility.
Sep 17, 2021 | Blog
The holiday season is officially upon us, and with it comes plenty of gifts and food shared between friends and family. You probably don’t think about what goes into making the packaging for these presents and treats safe, strong and optimized for printing—but UV light curing systems such as ours play a big role. From corrugated cardboard to plastic clamshells, here’s how UV curing for holiday packaging is used every year.
Printing and Coating
If you’ve ever bought a gift from a retailer or been shipped a present from a loved one, it likely came in a package with printed text or designs on the outside. It may not seem like it, but there’s a lot that goes into making sure these packages make it to you looking nice—and some of it wouldn’t be possible without UV curing.
UV-based inks can be used for package printing as they dry instantaneously during the curing process and are very durable. UV LED curing of UV-based inks also requires less energy than the drying of water-based inks, according to Industrial Print Magazine, leading to a more environmentally friendly printing method.
UV-based inks can be used on materials such as corrugated cardboard, although a pre-treatment primer will help control the absorption of the ink on corrugated sheets. Many UV inks are rated for food safety, according to Industrial Print Magazine, and low-migration UV-based inks have been developed for food-safe packaging so ink doesn’t seep into holiday treats.
UV Sealing
We’ve all seen plastic clamshell packaging before—it’s used for everything from toys to batteries, razors to toothbrushes and much more—but you might not know that UV curing plays a key role in creating the final product.
In addition to printing designs, UV curing is also used for sealing items such as these clear plastic clamshells that are used for consumer merchandise. Their adhesives are activated by exposure to UV light and work like glue to bond elements together for a tight seal. So, if you find yourself struggling to help the kids in your family open a brand-new toy packaged in plastic this holiday, a UV-cured seal might be why.
Our UV Curing Solutions
From electronics assembly to the medical industry, we have helped many companies successfully incorporate UV light curing to streamline their production and packaging processes. To learn how UV curing can benefit your application, contact us and we’ll recommend a solution.
Sep 17, 2021 | Blog
When choosing the best light source for your UV curing application, there are a lot of factors to consider, ranging from compatibility with adhesives and coatings, to speed, light uniformity, versatility, cost and more.
UV Arc Lamp Advantages
An arc, or electrode lamp, is the most common of all UV light sources; UV light is produced when mercury vapor passes between an electric arc. Arc lamps typically provide between 500 and 2,000 hours of lamp life, which is significantly lower than a UV LED alternative. However, depending on the object being cured, an arc lamp may be advantageous to employ, due to several factors, including lower cost, speedy curing, versatility and compatibility.
We offer a variety of affordable high-performance broad-spectrum arc lamp systems, available in spot, flood and conveyor types.
UV LED Advantages
UV light emitting diodes (LEDs) are semiconductor components that produce light when electrical current flows through them. With a life expectancy of over 20,000 hours, UV LEDs are growing in popularity, but not all UV LED curing suppliers or solutions are created equally.
Our LED curing systems use cool-output, long-life UV LEDs in multiple spectral types for high-intensity, rapid curing. They are ideal for applications that are sensitive to heat or designed to work with a narrow spectral range.
Side-by-Side Comparison
For a side-by-side comparison of the benefits of UV arc lamps vs UV LED, download our free infographic. If you prefer to discuss your light curing requirements with our experts, please call us at 413-731-7835 or email techsupport@uvitron.com.
Combined LED & Arc Lamp Infographic
