For over 45 years, UV lamps with their broad emission spectrum have proven effective in numerous applications. By comparison, LED UV technology generally requires a higher initial investment but offers specific advantages: demand-based output control and the long service life of LED modules can – depending on the application and operating conditions – have a positive effect on energy demand and maintenance requirements.
In UV curing, the primary objective is to meet the curing requirements of the end product. Depending on the application, both UV lamp systems and LED UV systems can be used. A meaningful comparison therefore requires consideration of the entire curing process; connected load alone is not sufficient.
Important factors that influence the choice of a suitable system are
LED technology offers clear advantages, particularly for applications where high production speeds and specific product properties are required, such as in commercial printing. The decision in favour of a UV lamp or an LED UV system should therefore always be based on the individual requirement profiles of the respective application.
In addition to the requirements on UV or LED UV systems, there are technical differences. The most important features of each technology for industrial curing are outlined below.
In industrial UV curing, there is always one goal at the end of the process chain: an optimised curing result that meets the specific requirements of the end product. It is not only the technology used - whether LED UV systems or classic UV lamp systems - that is important, but above all its suitability for the respective application.
A direct comparison of the electrical connected load between LED UV systems and conventional UV lamp systems often falls short. Much more important is how efficiently and reliably the respective solution works under real production conditions - and whether it fulfils the specific requirements of the application.
The requirement profiles for successful integration into industrial processes vary depending on the industry, product and production environment. Typical decision criteria when choosing between LED UV and UV lamp technology are
The above requirements result in typical areas of application for LED UV systems, particularly where precise curing, compact designs and high energy efficiency are required. LED UVs are often used in inkjet printing and for curing adhesives, for example in electronics or medical technology. Another widespread field of application is commercial printing. Here, the focus is primarily on the required product properties and high production speed - requirements in which LED UV technology can fully utilise its advantages.
