In different industrial areas UV-radiation has its application for example: curing of UV-printing colors, UV coating, UV powder coating, UV-adhesive etc. The important fact for curing with UV-radiation is not only the capacity of the UV-bulbs but also the result of the UIV-dose (watts/inch or mJ/cm2) on the substrate. If a suitable dose is not maintained then the curing will be incomplete and the coating can peel off or crack from the substrate.
Controlling of the capacity of UV-bulbs by “UV Control Strip”
Light Green
Green
Dark Green
Dark Bluish Green
Install a new UV-bulb.
Determine a special speed of your plant.
Put one by one UV control-strip on left, middle and right of the substrate and pass it under the UV lamp.
The new strip is light green in color and as they are exposed to UV light they change color. The color change depends on the dose it is exposed to.
Repeat the procedure after approx. 50 / 100 / 200 operating hours (depending on the need) and check if you have achieved the same result of colouring.
If the result of colouring differs from the original one the capacity of the UV-bulbs has changed. This means that the speed of the machine has to be reduced to match the earlier result. Also the UV-bulb reflectors should be cleaned at a regular interval.
