The benefits of UV LED curing systems in Flexo printing

摘要

Due to their lifespan,efficiency and multiple applications,light emitting diodes(LEDs)have become ubiquitous-from their use in televisions to advertising signs and,more recently,in domestic lighting,having displaced incandescent and halogen lightbulbs.Within the packaging printing industry,LEDs are also making their mark with UV LEDs being increasing adopted as an alternative light source for curing inks and coatings.UV LEDs offer a number of advantages over conventional UV curing lamps that result in production efficiencies,increased reliability and working life,reduced costs,higher quality print and,perhaps most importantly,fully-controllable and repeatable cure.However,to realise and enhance some of the benefits of using UV LED curing,specially formulated inks that use the latest technology are required.Specifically formulated UV LED curing inks maximise the benefits of UV LED curing systems by ensuring that the highest press speeds can be met,while delivering at least the same print quality and full repeatability,achieved with conventional UV curing systems.When manufacturing food safe or compliant packaging with UV curing inks,it is imperative that printers use Good Manufacturing Practice(GMP)techniques and,ideally,fully monitor the print process,including curing,throughout a production run.While monitoring UV curing through a production run has always been a challenge on narrow web presses and can remain so today,the use of UV LED can bring some peace of mind.