11.20.14
IST Metz hosted LED Tech Talk on November 12-13 in order to examine the growing use of the technology in the printing industry. The presentation explored such topics as the LED curing process of inks and coatings, the differences between LED and conventional UV curing and the appropriate time to make a switch.
IST Metz supplies both conventional UV systems with medium-pressure mercury discharge lamps and LED systems.
Dirk Jägers, managing director of IST Metz, welcomed the interested parties, and then Stefan Fiel, technical marketing manager, explained the technical principles behind LED UV technology. Feil described the market’s development since UV technology came onto the scene in 2008. Currently, UV light sources are primarily used in the spheres of disinfecting, medicine, measuring equipment, security and curing.
According to the Yole market research institute, LED technology is expected to bolster its market share to roughly 30% by 2016. Integration Technology, a strategic alliance partner of IST Metz, sold an equal number of systems with UV lamps compared to LEDs.
The conference also touched upon energy savings with respect to the newer technology. In principle, the more highly reactive ink does not equate to energy savings. A comparison between a conventional UV system and an LED system would have to take into account that this system also changes the chemistry of the inks.
"An effective comparison needs to be made on the basis of a defined drying outcome, which in turn allows the necessary drying output to be derived,” said Feil. “Standby/production times and average print format also have to be taken into account to make the result meaningful.”
Erich Frank, a member of the Printing Inks Technical Committee of the Verband der deutschen Lack- und Druckfarbenindustrie e.V. (Industrial Association of German Coatings and Printing Inks), discussed LED ink technology.
He described the key difference from conventional UV inks as the photoinitiators, which are adapted to absorb at wavelengths of >350 nm and thus to suit the emissions of the LED radiators: "Other ink components such as binders, reactive thinners, pigments and additives are largely comparable to those of other UV inks,” said Frank.
The ensuing sales presentations allowed the staffs of IST Metz and Integration Technology the opportunity to introduce applications and advantages of the LED UV technology for the sheet-fed offset, rotary offset, flexographic and inkjet printing processes. The use of LED technology was later demonstrated on both a flexographic printing press and a sheet-fed offset printing press. The MBS-6 LED-prepared concept was used on the narrow-web flexographic printing press. Depending on the requirements of the print job, a conventional UV system can be replaced by an LED system.
Klemens Ehrlitzer, managing director of the VskE (Verband der Hersteller selbstklebender Etiketten und Schmalbahnkonverter e.V. - German Association of Manufacturers of Self-Adhesive Labels and Narrow Web Converters), chaired the subsequent podium discussion. The speakers answered multiple questions involving the new and conventional technologies.
As a supplier of both kinds of systems, IST Metz believes that it is necessary to assess which individual solution is appropriate, and this depends on the application in question. Both systems offer positives and negatives and must be taken into account when making a choice.
IST Metz supplies both conventional UV systems with medium-pressure mercury discharge lamps and LED systems.
Dirk Jägers, managing director of IST Metz, welcomed the interested parties, and then Stefan Fiel, technical marketing manager, explained the technical principles behind LED UV technology. Feil described the market’s development since UV technology came onto the scene in 2008. Currently, UV light sources are primarily used in the spheres of disinfecting, medicine, measuring equipment, security and curing.
According to the Yole market research institute, LED technology is expected to bolster its market share to roughly 30% by 2016. Integration Technology, a strategic alliance partner of IST Metz, sold an equal number of systems with UV lamps compared to LEDs.
The conference also touched upon energy savings with respect to the newer technology. In principle, the more highly reactive ink does not equate to energy savings. A comparison between a conventional UV system and an LED system would have to take into account that this system also changes the chemistry of the inks.
"An effective comparison needs to be made on the basis of a defined drying outcome, which in turn allows the necessary drying output to be derived,” said Feil. “Standby/production times and average print format also have to be taken into account to make the result meaningful.”
Erich Frank, a member of the Printing Inks Technical Committee of the Verband der deutschen Lack- und Druckfarbenindustrie e.V. (Industrial Association of German Coatings and Printing Inks), discussed LED ink technology.
He described the key difference from conventional UV inks as the photoinitiators, which are adapted to absorb at wavelengths of >350 nm and thus to suit the emissions of the LED radiators: "Other ink components such as binders, reactive thinners, pigments and additives are largely comparable to those of other UV inks,” said Frank.
The ensuing sales presentations allowed the staffs of IST Metz and Integration Technology the opportunity to introduce applications and advantages of the LED UV technology for the sheet-fed offset, rotary offset, flexographic and inkjet printing processes. The use of LED technology was later demonstrated on both a flexographic printing press and a sheet-fed offset printing press. The MBS-6 LED-prepared concept was used on the narrow-web flexographic printing press. Depending on the requirements of the print job, a conventional UV system can be replaced by an LED system.
Klemens Ehrlitzer, managing director of the VskE (Verband der Hersteller selbstklebender Etiketten und Schmalbahnkonverter e.V. - German Association of Manufacturers of Self-Adhesive Labels and Narrow Web Converters), chaired the subsequent podium discussion. The speakers answered multiple questions involving the new and conventional technologies.
As a supplier of both kinds of systems, IST Metz believes that it is necessary to assess which individual solution is appropriate, and this depends on the application in question. Both systems offer positives and negatives and must be taken into account when making a choice.