It's a Bird, It's a Plane...It's Super UV/EB
February 2004
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Each year, more and more package printers are turning to UV and EB curing for their super drying and time-saving powers.
TODAY'S ULTRAVIOLET (UV) and electron beam (EB) curing equipment can't fly like Superman, but with their many other super powers, they don't need to, to impress end users.
For the past several years, package printers have raved about the high-productivity capabilities, easy maintenance, and low environmental impact of these drying systems, putting UV and EB curing equipment in high-demand. "I get about three or four calls a week from printers wanting to get into UV curing—they want the gloss," said Dave Douglas, vice president, business development of Printing Research, Inc. (PRI, Dallas, Texas). "It's usually the guys that have a five- or six-color press with coating capabilities, and they're ready to make the jump to get the edge on their competition."
When UV and EB curing was first conceived in the late 1960s, its popularity suffered from many myths concerning its safety and environmental soundness. However, with education about the drying processes, those concerns and others were dispelled.
Today, with growing support, UV and EB curing equipment suppliers are concentrating on developing affordable and compact dryers for smaller converters.
Small footprints to fill
Small to mid-sized printers are looking for a way into energy curing. They're attracted by the high productivity levels and increased revenue that the technology offers. But up until now, size of the equipment—let alone its cost, as in the case of EB—was prohibitive. Today, however, UV and EB suppliers are targeting the "little guys" of package printing with great success.
Prime UV Systems' (Carol Stream, Ill.) MiniScan 3C UV dryer is small, with a compact housing measuring 3.75˝ x 7.5˝. The dryer is also powerful, with Prime UV's Cool Cure technology providing intense, effective low-heat cure.
The technology completely cures UV inks, overprint varnishes, and pressure-sensitive and laminating adhesives, and installs easily on label and narrow- to mid-web flexo, offset, gravure, and rotary screen presses.
"It's taken off really well," said Elinor Midlik, president of Prime UV. "The compact 3C UV dryer delivers more energy and matches the highest speed of any printing press. It continues to be popular with flexo printers—its use in flexo is growing at a much greater rate than in any other printing method."
On the EB side, Energy Sciences Inc. (ESI, Iselin, N.J.) has dedicated a lot of R&D dollars to EB technology. The result: the EZ Cure, one of the smallest and least expensive EB machines on the market. While the machine is tiny compared to the house-sized EB technology of the past, Ed Maguire, ESI vice president/general manager, expects EZ Cure to get even smaller and less expensive.
TODAY'S ULTRAVIOLET (UV) and electron beam (EB) curing equipment can't fly like Superman, but with their many other super powers, they don't need to, to impress end users.
For the past several years, package printers have raved about the high-productivity capabilities, easy maintenance, and low environmental impact of these drying systems, putting UV and EB curing equipment in high-demand. "I get about three or four calls a week from printers wanting to get into UV curing—they want the gloss," said Dave Douglas, vice president, business development of Printing Research, Inc. (PRI, Dallas, Texas). "It's usually the guys that have a five- or six-color press with coating capabilities, and they're ready to make the jump to get the edge on their competition."
When UV and EB curing was first conceived in the late 1960s, its popularity suffered from many myths concerning its safety and environmental soundness. However, with education about the drying processes, those concerns and others were dispelled.
Today, with growing support, UV and EB curing equipment suppliers are concentrating on developing affordable and compact dryers for smaller converters.
Small footprints to fill
Small to mid-sized printers are looking for a way into energy curing. They're attracted by the high productivity levels and increased revenue that the technology offers. But up until now, size of the equipment—let alone its cost, as in the case of EB—was prohibitive. Today, however, UV and EB suppliers are targeting the "little guys" of package printing with great success.
Prime UV Systems' (Carol Stream, Ill.) MiniScan 3C UV dryer is small, with a compact housing measuring 3.75˝ x 7.5˝. The dryer is also powerful, with Prime UV's Cool Cure technology providing intense, effective low-heat cure.
The technology completely cures UV inks, overprint varnishes, and pressure-sensitive and laminating adhesives, and installs easily on label and narrow- to mid-web flexo, offset, gravure, and rotary screen presses.
"It's taken off really well," said Elinor Midlik, president of Prime UV. "The compact 3C UV dryer delivers more energy and matches the highest speed of any printing press. It continues to be popular with flexo printers—its use in flexo is growing at a much greater rate than in any other printing method."
On the EB side, Energy Sciences Inc. (ESI, Iselin, N.J.) has dedicated a lot of R&D dollars to EB technology. The result: the EZ Cure, one of the smallest and least expensive EB machines on the market. While the machine is tiny compared to the house-sized EB technology of the past, Ed Maguire, ESI vice president/general manager, expects EZ Cure to get even smaller and less expensive.
Companies Mentioned:
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