The Advantages of LED UV Curing Lamps

                                                    By Jim Hingst 

@hingst_jim

Jim Hingst explains how UV inkjet systems utilizing LED curing lamps differ from inkjet printers utilizing traditional UV curing lamps. 

UV ink cures when it is exposed to UV light. In this curing process, the photo initiators in the ink absorb the UV energy and break down into reactive components that initiate the polymerization process.  

Polymerization is the chemical process in which the smaller monomers and oligomers bond together to form the much larger polymer molecules.  As the smaller molecules polymerize, they entrap the pigments, which give the ink its color and the additives in the cured solid inks.

The differences between UV inkjet systems are the ink formulations and the types of curing lamps used. Traditional UV lamps emit a broad spectrum of UV light. By comparison, the band of UV light which LED curing systems is much narrower. The ink formulations for both types of inkjet printers must be matched to the light source in order for polymerization to occur.

In addition to producing UV light, traditional UV lamps also generate heat-producing infrared light.  This infrared light serves no function in the curing process.  But it does produce a significant amount of heat. Since much of the media used in wide format digital printing is plastic (such as pressure sensitive vinyl films and thin plastic sheet), that high heat can cause problems including shrinking, warping and discoloration. 

UV LED curing systems provide a cooler cure, which eliminates these heat related problems. Lower temperatures allow for printing on heat sensitive materials, such as pressure sensitive vinyls and unsupported polycarbonate films. Because UV LEDs minimize the incidence of warping media, the chance of a head strike is less likely.

Inkjet printers utilizing LED UV curing systems have grown in popularity as the technology has advanced. Improvements in these systems ensure reliable and faster curing of inks, and provide for high quality printing as well as improved production output.

What’s more, LED UV curing systems feature significant advantages compared to traditional metal halide and mercury vapor arc type UV curing systems. LED UV curing systems feature greater service life; require less maintenance; are easier to maintain; provide lower operating costs; and are safer to operate in your shop as well as being safer for the environment.

While the initial cost of LED systems is typically high than traditional UV inkjet systems, the lifetime cost may be lower, when you take into consideration the lower operating cost and the longer service life of the LED curing lamps.

Here’s how the two types of UV inkjet printing systems differ and what it can mean to you:

No Warm Up Time. Unlike traditional UV curing lamps which need to warm up prior to printing, LED UV lamps require no warm up time and allow for printing as soon as they are turned on.

Cooler Operating Temperatures. Traditional UV lamps can produce significant heat. This can create a number of problems when printing on some plastic substrates. High heat can warp substrates which can cause head strike problems when printing. Cooler operating temperatures also allow shops to print on thinner and in some cases less costly materials.

No Ozone. Traditional UV lamps produce ozone, which require ventilation. LED curing lamps don’t generate significant amounts of ozone, if any, and require no ventilation. 

No Mercury. Mercury vapor lamps contain toxic mercury requiring special handling in disposal. LED curing lamps are mercury free.

Longer Service Life. Traditional UV lamps last about 1000 to 2000 hours, requiring replacement. Traditional lamps also decrease in efficiency over their service life. LED curing lamps, on the other hand, provide about 10,000 to 20,000 hours of operation, which means that these curing lamps will probably last longer than the inkjet printer itself. 

Lower Operating Costs. Traditional UV curing lamps consume a tremendous amount of electricity. LED curing lamps are much more cost effective to operate. Shops may realize savings of 60% to 80% in their utility expenses.

About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.

Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer.  Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.

Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for  publications, such as  Signs Canada, SignCraft,  Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and  Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 400 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published.  Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon. 

Slides of Jim's Artwork

© 2016 Jim Hingst