Phoenix Color, one of North America’s leading manufacturers of book covers, dust jackets and high-quality printed products, has successfully tested IST METZ’s new LEDcure NX LED UV curing system in a production environment. The water-cooled LED solution from IST METZ was implemented on a Heidelberg XL 106 as part of a pilot project and has since impressed with its reliable curing, high ease of use and low maintenance requirements.
As a company with high production volumes and short lead times, Phoenix Color has relied on LED UV technology for many years. The demands placed on the curing systems are correspondingly high: high machine speeds, numerous jobs per day and extensive post-processing steps require maximum process reliability.
“We switched to LED technology years ago,” explains Chris Strine, Press Room Manager at Phoenix Color. “We produce at high speeds, in large print runs and across a wide variety of jobs. Our printing inks need to perform reliably at all times.”
Partnership as the foundation for innovation
The decision to choose LEDcure NX for the pilot installation was based not only on technical requirements but also on the long-standing partnership with IST America. Phoenix Color had already gained positive experience with IST’s UV and LED UV systems in the past.
The company particularly highlights the close support provided by IST America’s service and technical team. In addressing previous challenges, training, technical support and practical solutions were at the heart of the collaboration.
“IST America has supported us at every stage,” says Don Pennington, Maintenance and Facilities Manager at Phoenix Color. “They provided us with the necessary tools, technical support and training so that we could carry out maintenance and repair work independently. This commitment has built a great deal of trust.”
LEDcure NX proves its worth in day-to-day production
The new LED UV system was installed on a Heidelberg XL 106, one of the most powerful printing presses in Phoenix Color’s production environment. The team from IST America supported the integration process from the dismantling of the existing system right through to full commissioning.
In daily use, the LEDcure NX impresses in particular with its compact design and maintenance-friendly construction. The water-cooled system combines efficient LED UV technology with mirror-based UV energy control, thereby providing a high-performance yet service-friendly solution.
“The new system has a very simple and well-thought-out design and delivers excellent results,” says Pennington. “It is more accessible, easier to maintain and significantly more convenient to handle than many other systems.”
The LEDcure NX also meets high expectations in terms of production output. “The system runs completely smoothly on one of our fastest printing presses,” confirms Strine.
Service as a key factor for success
In addition to the technology itself, Phoenix Color sees particular added value in its close collaboration with IST America. Short response times, direct points of contact and comprehensive technical support contribute significantly to operational reliability.
“If we are successful, then IST is successful too,” says Pennington, describing the partnership. “They help us to achieve our goals and continuously improve our production.”
Looking to the future
In addition, Phoenix Color has expressed interest in SMARTcure, IST METZ’s AI-supported assistance system. SMARTcure takes available job and process information into account and recommends a suitable LED UV output setting for the respective production job. Format-dependent zone control also enables only the LED segments required for the respective format to be activated.
The successful pilot installation at Phoenix Color demonstrates the use of LEDcure NX under industrial production conditions. With its modular system architecture, water-cooled thermal management, remote service and optional SMARTcure technology, the system offers a range of functions for demanding LED UV curing processes.