Multi-point UV monitoring
Effective ink curing depends upon correct and consistent output from the UV lamp and reflector system. Over time, the output of a mercury arc lamp both degrades and becomes less uniform across its width, which needs to be managed diligently to avoid the risk of inadequately finished product being shipped out.
Checking curing levels or UV output was always a time consuming and somewhat subjective process but with GEW’s multipoint UV monitoring (mUVm) it is now much easier and more accurate. The mUVm solution is a set of one or up to five UV sensors per lamp which continuously monitor the intensity of each UV lamp in a system.
A simple user interface displays the UV output of the lamps on GEW’s touchscreen and alarms can be set to warn when it gets too low or too high. With up to five sensors per lamp monitoring once a second, unprecedented control over the UV curing process can now be achieved, across the width of the process and throughout the production run.
The benefits of this include:
- Easily see when UV lamps reach the end of their working life
- Attain 100% UV inspection, with a documented record for each production batch
- Improve compliance with European food contact packaging regulations, such as:
- Framework Regulation (EC) 1935/2004 article 3
- Good Manufacturing Practice Regulation (EC) 2023/2006
- Plastics Regulation (EU) 10/2011, Swiss Ordinance SR 817.023.21)
- Save energy by reducing lamp running power without risking under-cured product
- Create a UV curing certificate for every batch by recording live UV outputs for every lamp
To ensure readings remain consistent, filtered compressed air purging prevents dirt and dust ingress for long term reliable operation and an easily removable optical assembly allows supplementary cleaning if required.
Each sensor can be ordered in either the broadband or UVC spectral range and can be fitted on all GEW arc lamp systems with RHINO or RLT power supplies.