Gallus/Siegwerk/Phoseon Developing LED-UV Printing System

ST. GALLEN, Switzerland—Working in cooperation with partners Siegwerk Switzerland and Phoseon Technology/USA, Gallus has developed an LED-UV drying system for narrow-web rotary presses  to be unveiled to a specialist audience at Labelexpo 2009. The system boasts up to 60 percent lower energy consumption and emits no ozone or UVA or UVB radiation.

The UV drying technology consists of a high-performance UV-LED lamp and newly developed UV flexographic inks. The entire system is being demonstrated at the Gallus stand (5B50, Hall 5) in the form of a working technical prototype integrated into a printing unit of the new Gallus ECS 340.

Siegwerk developed the new UV-LED ink system based on its SICURA Flex 39-8 ink system. The challenges involved in developing the inks included surface hardening, gloss, and drying at speeds of over 100 m/min.

The following processing properties have already been demonstrated when using the RX Fireflex lamp supplied by Phoseon:

• When using optimized inks, the UV irradiance enables printing speeds of up to 120 m/min. This applies to flexographic inks, screen inks, and coatings.

• The UV-LED drying systems do not emit ozone or infrared radiation.

• Because the system does not cause the printing substrate to heat up significantly, there is no need for re-cooling.

• The elimination of cooling processes and ozone extraction delivers energy savings of up to 60 percent in comparison to conventional UV drying technologies. In addition, print operations consume far less air and water for cooling purposes.

• As the system minimizes fire hazards and prevents ozone, UVB and UVC radiation emissions, it has greener credentials and improves working conditions.