Question:
How does UV curing equipment work?
TIF
2009-06-06 20:32:30 UTC
Hi,

Up until now I've been sticking some adhesive labels onto glass and I can notice that the adhsive hardens when exposed to sunlight for several hours. I'm looking for a faster way of doing this.

Is anyone familiar with UV curing equipment? Is it basically a replacement for sunlight? What's the difference between UV lamps and flood lamps?

Thanks.
Six answers:
thewrangler_sw
2009-06-06 22:24:33 UTC
Ok... two different items here....



The difference between a UV lamp, and a standard flood lamp, is the type of light produced. Specifically, a UV fixture creates UV light (Ultra Violet). This is rather like asking whats the difference between a red bulb, and a yellow bulb -- they simply produce a different spectrum of light. UV is used in sterilizing medical equipment, and to cure adhesives, among other uses.



I've worked with UV adhesives - what you are describing does NOT sound like any UV adhesive Ive used (and I've used several kinds of adhesives, including RF, urethanes, catalyst based, cyano-acrylics, PVA... the list goes on....)

If the labels you were using were actually cured by UV light, you'd have noticed them setting much faster than the 'several hours' you mention. It's more likely that the labels are hardening simply because the sunlight is providing a little additional warmth, which is causing the glue to harden faster (most common glues work by evaporation - the water dries out of them, causing the glue to harden). If this is what is happening, you could achieve the same results using a flood light bulb (which produces a bit of heat during normal operation), or other mild heat source - like your hair dryer, or possibly a heating pad.

By the way, UV adhesives will NOT cure, without a source of UV.



Your best bet is to contact the manufacturer of the label, to see their recommendations, or to switch the label adhesive to a faster setting version. UV, and RF glues, for example, are made which cure in seconds..... not hours... and are in wide use in furniture making, as one example.



We can't really give anything more specific, without more details on the labels, and product they are being applied to.



Good Luck
BILL@CA
2009-06-06 20:42:35 UTC
UV adhesives are just polymers that react to UV light. Many normal "glues" dry by evaporating the liquids. super glue dries by the action of absorbing moisture from the air, or speed it up by vapor. UV glue is made because it does not harden if kept in a dark place and it cures very quickly when exposed to UV light. sunlight is great, but you can buy a UV bulb that will cure it in a few seconds.
colduv
2015-04-20 03:40:25 UTC
How to choice a good quality UV curing system?



Many friends who work in UV printing and coating business asked me that, "Henrik, i dont understand one thing, that our lamp power is 160w/cm,180w/cm, 200w/cm, or 240w/cm..... but my printing ink still cannot cure good?" So i asked them back," do you know how much outlet UV energy you have?" I am so surprise that most of them cannot answer me.



My suggestion is, please buy a UV energy measurement before you buy UV curing system,because lamp power input is not equal to UV energy output.



There are three factors you have to consider when you start to choice a good UV curing system.



Fact 1: Do you need a cold UV curing system or not?



Most friends know that more than 60% energy of UV lamp output is IR+visable light , which can not be used as curing but will head up your printing surface lot. Most cold UV curing system suppliers as DPL will choice "blue reflect coating" inside of lamp house( also called as lamp head). The function of this coating layer is absorb IR energy and reflect UV energy.







Fact 2: Do you need water chilling or air chilling?



I have to say that this is really up to your printing material and printing width, also how much temp your printing material can bear? DPL UV curing system use water chilling to cool down lamp house, small air chilling inlet and outlet for thermal material printing, so you can choice both.



Fact 3: Do you mind to change your lamp often?



Many friend like to use high power lamp to get better better cure result, but working life is also short.



In any case, welcome to contact with our UV Specialist or visit our website www.dpl.dk
2016-03-01 04:52:38 UTC
every brand of gel has different requirements of bulb wattage. Check with the manufacturer to see how many watts are needed for curing. There is usually a phone number on the bottle. No they are not all the same, some are better then others. A couple of better quality gels are gelousy and brisa by creative nail design.
?
2017-03-01 13:08:21 UTC
short neat nails are nice and neat. I dont like long nails because dirt can get under these and it look nasty

its digusting and gross when somebodys nails tend to be all chewed up to the finish.
2017-01-27 04:16:50 UTC
Small is a lot far better! Long nails are called "ghetto claws" for a reason. They make an individual look like no-class trash.


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