LOPE-C 2012: Future technology hardens to the beat
LOPE-C is taking place this year for the fourth time. With its emphasis on organic and printed electronics, this trade fair is dedicated to a rapidly growing field of applications for the future. Organic and printed electronics stand for a new and revolutionary kind of electronics: thin, light, flexible and inexpensive to produce. This opens the door to an entirely new kind of applications with very specialised requirements. At the fair, IST METZ and ITL will present water- and air-cooled LED UV systems with different power ratings for all application areas.
With their special features, the LED UV units from IST METZ and ITL can also be used with temperature-sensitive substrates: They consist of freely configurable and addressable modules that can be adapted to the special requirements of a particular application to ensure optimal curing without negative effects on the substrate.
An example for inkjet or adhesive applications (such as OLED encapsulation) is the LUV® LED UV system developed by IST METZ, which can be switched on and off instantaneously. The LED unit can provide 100 percent output immediately if necessary; dimming is also possible according to requirements. Its main advantages are high drying performance with the lowest possible energy consumption as well as low heat build-up in the irradiated object.
A significant feature of the LUV system from IST METZ is its modularity. Further modules can be added to cover larger working widths. Furthermore, there are options provided for required wavelengths. As the modules consist of several arrays, a mix of five different wavelength zones is possible within one module. The wavelengths 365, 375, 385 and 395 nm are available, allowing for an adaption of the individual modules to the chemical composition of a specific medium.
With these LED UV solutions, IST METZ and ITL are extending their lead in the field of organic and printed electronics. In addition, IST METZ is a member of the Organic Electronics Association (OE-A), the international alliance for organic and printed electronics, which currently includes over 180 companies, universities and institutes worldwide. The network works out development strategies and promotes co-operation between members in technical projects, as well as informing policymakers and the public about current developments in this emerging market.
For the community, LOPE-C offers an international platform to exchange information and initiate joint projects along the entire value chain in this field. This year 100 exhibitors from all over the world will be presenting their products on 40 per cent more floor space than last year.
