Originally Published EMDM
January/February 2003
Curing Equipment News
Recent developments in curing equipment |
UV lamp offers fast curing time
A powerful UV lamp is suitable for curing adhesives, epoxies, resins, and other materials. The Maxima 3500, supplied by
Spectronics Corp. (Westbury, NY, USA), delivers an average UVA intensity of 100,000 µW/cm2 at 15 cm for rapid curing. The lamp’s filter and bulb reflector assembly is a single integral unit with no exposed circuitry. The use of microdischarge light technology enables the 35-W bulb to produce 10 times more UV light than conventional 100-W curing lamps. The lamp’s ergonomic design and light weight allow technicians to hold it for long periods without stress or fatigue. The lamp may also be bench mounted.
The Maxima 3500 features a dent-proof and shock-resistant polymer housing. The system allows safe bulb replacement in seconds without tools and without the risk of electric shock. The bulb is prefocused at the factory to ensure optimum performance. Lamps are available in 120 and 230-V ac and 12-V dc versions.
Spotlight systems provide high intensity
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A range of spot-curing systems are suitable for the production of disposable medical devices. The BlueWave 50, offered by
Dymax (Frankfurt, Germany) is a durable light source designed for benchtop assembly and laboratory use. Bulb life expectancy is close to 4000 hours. With an intensity up to 3000 mW/cm2 and broad-spectrum output in the UVA and blue light spectra, the BlueWave 50 is powerful enough to cure most UV adhesives in less than 10 seconds. It is recommended for use in manual applications, but may also be mounted for automated processes. The more powerful BlueWave 200 is, according to the company, the highest-intensity UVA- and visible light–producing spotlight available. The high intensity enables single, double, or even quadruple wand curing. Attachments allow curing of dispensed beads of adhesive or coated areas greater than 50 ¥ 50 mm.
Spot-curing platform provides versatility
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A UV and visible light spot-curing platform provides versatility in a cost-effective system. Available from
EXFO Photonic Solutions (Mississauga, ON, Canada) the OmniCure 1000 includes a powerful 100-W bulb with 2000 hours of lamp life. A manual iris can be set by 1% increments to provide very precise light-output adjustments. Finger-touch controls, a bright-blue LED, process indicators, and automatic lamp striking make the OmniCure Series 1000 easy to use. A built-in timer, process alarms, selectable bandpass filters, and password protection enhance process control. The unit also features a snap-in lamp mechanism and quiet operation. The system is suitable for manual applications. “The Series 1000 will interest customers who don’t necessarily need a full-fledged system for their manual assembly applications,” says Allan Firhoj, general manager of EXFO’s Photonics and Life Sciences Division. “Future models of the OmniCure will incorporate additional features for more-automated assembly applications.”
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