The UV curing process has been in use in the printing industry for more than thirty years. LED curing technology is now rapidly growing inside the UV printing market with compelling advantages of better economics, system capabilities, and environmental benefits. Phoseon’s UV LED curing technology is ideal for the UV curing of inks in digital inkjet, screen, flexographic and other printing processes.

LED technology provides advanced capabilities such as enabling thin, heat sensitive substrates with deep, through curing, all while maintaining controlled curing intensity. The operating economics include energy efficiency, minimal maintenance, long lifetime, and low operating temperatures. UV LED technology is mercury & ozone free with safe UV-A wavelengths, promoting both workplace safety and environmental advantages.

UV LED Curing Technology

UV LED curing solutions are being rapidly adopted for curing inks, coatings, and adhesives in facilities throughout the world. Low operating costs, long lifetime, and low maintenance are just a few of the reasons. The narrow UVA output provides the highest curing efficiency while also providing a cooler, safer, and more stable output, allowing end users to print on a wider variety of materials with increased yield and reduced operating costs.

Printing Applications

LED curing technology for UV printers is replacing older technology with compelling advantages of better economics, system capabilities, and environmental benefits. UV LED curing technology is rapidly becoming the new standard for UV printing for both full cure and pinning applications.

Most ink manufacturers include a UV LED option today, making integration and use of LED even easier. As these manufacturers continue to develop formulations to optimize both UV LED curing and specific applications, printers can expand the applications they offer to their customers. Phoseon’s broad product portfolio includes solutions for all printing applications from small and wide format digital printers, digital and flexographic label printers, screen printers, 3D printing, and others. Here are some examples:

Labels & Packaging: UV LED curing systems are ideal for narrow, mid-size, and wide web printers allowing end users to print high quality material at maximum speeds. UV LED curing for label printing shows measurable advantages in higher productivity, lower energy usage, reduced heat load for thinner substrates, smaller footprint, and clear environmental benefits.

Posters & Signs: The sign making industry has led the change for improved turnaround time, higher quality, and more economical solutions for wide format printers in this market. UV LED curing technology enables output on a wider media mix and an extended range of applications while at the same time allowing a low total cost of ownership.

3D Objects: During the process of 3D printing, each layer is cured immediately after it is jetted, producing fully cured models, without post-curing. UV LED technology is ideal for 3D curing due to its small size, tight process control and consistent UV output over time.

Bottle Printing: UV LED technology is utilised for bottle labeling machines and systems designed for direct printing on cylindrical containers. The small size of the light sources makes them ideal for machines with limited space. The reduced heat load also enables the use of thinner and more heat sensitive materials.