Welcome, Guest Sign Up | Login | Try Premium

GEW’s UV water-cooled reflector profile for wide webs

September 18, 2007

InJune 2006, GEW announced a new concept in UV curing — the developmentof ISO-cure, with a water-cooled reflector profile designed forprocessing a variety of substrates on printing presses in the mid andwide web range, from 450 mm (18 inches) to 1450 mm (57 inches). TheISO-cure design is optimised for situations when the UV lamp head hasto be integrated in a compact space on machines such as centralimpression, flexographic printing presses for flexible packaging.

ISO-cureincludes the energy saving, e-brick electronic power supply and newlamp reflector design from GEW that has an all electric shutteroperation for maximum performance and cure efficiency. ManagingDirector Malcolm Rae, commenting on the development said, “The designof the reflector on the ISO-cure includes a specially developed glassdichroic surface that enhances UV output whilst maximising theabsorption of IR. Research has shown that this reflector constructiongives the best performance for optimising the ratio of UV reflection toIR absorption. Additionally, the life of the reflector has been shownto be extended, further reducing operating costs.”

ISO-cure has abuilt-in heat exchange system that minimises exhaust air temperatures.The extruded aluminium reflector support assemblies are water cooledfor cooler running when open with no heat transfer to the substrateduring stoppages when the reflectors are closed. Reducing to zero theheat transfer to the press, the lamp head outer casing is fullywater-cooled. Each ISO-cure lamp head can be configured to preciselymatch nearly all machine specifications. Options comprise an inert gasatmosphere curing chamber, dedicated refrigeration system and UVmonitoring on-line or through a docking station with hand-held monitor.

ConcludesRae — “In the past we have supplied UV lamps up to 2,000 mm (78 inch)wide, generally in a situation where each system was engineered andmanufactured on a bespoke, one-off basis. Now that we are seeing asignificantly greater demand for wider UV curing units, from bothpress manufacturers and end-users, we took the decision to design a newrange of lamp heads for this market that are modular in nature andconstructed as a standardised product line. Our drive for deliveringvalue products embodying the very latest technology will continue. Weexpect the ISO-cure to be adapted for sheet-fed presses in the verynear future.”

Energy saving UV for Multi Labels

GEW has supplied Daventry based label printer, Multi Labels with a 470mm (18 inch) wide electronically powered UV curing system. Completewith eight vCP lamp heads, the new energy saving e-system will be usedto cure UV inks on a new flexo and screen combination press producedirect food contact, pharmaceutical, screen, tactile and high opacityprinted labels.

StatesRoger Monk, Sales Director “Specifying the GEW UV curing system for ournew press was a bullet-proof decision due to our previous experiencewith their equipment. We want to target new markets and can now run thecomplete range of both traditional label stock as well as the more heatsensitive substrates demanded for wrap around and shrink sleeves. Thenew electronically driven system will, we calculate, save us 30 percent of electrical press operating costs and give us 20 per cent moreUV output allowing jobs to be run at up to 150 m/min (500 ft/min). Inaddition factory space is always at a premium and the compact modulardesign of the electronic power supplies means they sit neatly andunobtrusively behind the press.”

Foundedin 1987 by Kay and Roger Monk, Multi Labels Limited was originallyestablished as a reseller of both plain and printed labels produced byother enterprises. In 2002 Multi Labels gained ISO 9001 accreditationto support its existing products.

Multi Labels is now in the demanding process of obtaining BRC Level Bfor direct food contact packaging. Explains Monk, “Our commitment tocontinued investment in the latest facilities, machinery and supportequipment equates to survival in a highly competitive market. We arenow in the process of erecting a sealed air chamber around our newpress allowing us to produce contamination-free products. Further plantimprovements have been added such as insectocuters, strategicallylocated hand basins, resin based floor covering and aseptic staffclothing.”