UV, LED and IR technology for industrial applications
The task for radiation hardening is clearly defined. At the end of the process chain is a product that must fulfil the customer‘s requirements in terms of curing. Both an LED and a UV lamp can be a means to an end in order to fulfil the requirements. A pure consideration of the connected load of both systems is therefore not expedient. Typical requirement profiles are defined by the following factors:
- Design
- Weight
- Cooling medium
- Chemicals
- Energy requirement
- Handling of the product
- Product properties
- Production speed
- Heat input
The use of light-emitting diodes for the respective application can be derived from the above requirements, for example. Another common application example for LED UV systems is commercial printing. Here, the product properties and production speeds are of great importance.
IST METZ has been developing systems for curing printing and coatings using UV light for over 45 years. Inks, varnishes, silicones, adhesives, resins and other materials are cured in seconds using UV and LED-UV technology. This portfolio is complemented by excimer and W/IR technologies.
LED or UV? Or both?
In lighting technology, LEDs have become established in many areas. LED-UV systems are also used in the printing industry for a variety of applications. Depending on the specific application, both UV lamp technology and LED-UV technology offer distinct characteristics and advantages that should be taken into account when selecting a UV system.
UV lamp systems are primarily used for printing jobs with very high and diverse requirements. These include highly finished products such as luxury packaging or printing jobs that impose strict safety requirements on production, such as food packaging. UV lamp technology has been an established industrial standard for decades. A wide range of suitable inks and coatings is available for this technology. The systems are particularly easy to maintain; for example, the UV lamp and reflector can be replaced in just a few simple steps
LED UV systems are used, among other things, in adhesive curing and inkjet printing. They are ready for use immediately after being turned on and can be switched on and off as needed to match the production process. Compared to traditional UV lamp systems, LED-UV systems emit a lower proportion of infrared radiation. This reduces the thermal stress on the substrate. The LED segments can also be controlled depending on the required irradiation width.
Benefits LED UV
- Ready for immediate use
- On/off control tailored to your needs
- No mercury in the LED UV system
- The LED wavelengths used do not generate process-related ozone
- Lower infrared radiation compared to traditional UV lamp systems
- Long service life of the LED components
- Format switching
- Clocking
- Compact design
- water cooling or air cooling
- SMARTcure for compatible IST systems
Ex-protected LED UV systems and medium pressure lamps
Safety is the top priority in potentially explosive atmospheres. Our explosion-proof LED UV systems and medium-pressure lamps are designed for use in demanding industrial environments and can be configured to meet the respective explosion protection requirements.
Our systems are developed in accordance with the legal and technical requirements relevant to each application. These include, for example, the ATEX requirements in the European Union as well as other country-specific regulations and standards. Depending on the application and system configuration, the necessary protective measures are taken into account during system design.
Drawing on our experience in UV technology, we support our customers in selecting and integrating suitable solutions for potentially explosive atmospheres. This allows UV and LED UV systems to be tailored to the specific production conditions and requirements.
