Ultraviolet Theory of Operation
The OXYTECH Ultraviolet Curing System uses a Programmable Logic Controller with a Touch Screen Operator Interface.
- Super cooled, broadband, long wave technology
- Operates between 250 to over 400nm
- Small, compact design which allows placement in many areas where printing presses are located
- Super cooling via air
- State of the art unique reflector
- Shutter less housing design
- Lamps have an operating range of 300-1000 watts per inch
- Optional electronic ballast allows infinite output adjustability
- Soft start for increased lamp life
- Lamps are fully operational from initial start up to full power within 25 seconds (Hot or Cold)
- Each housing is equipped with over temp sensors and temperature feedback.
Ultraviolet Theory of Operation
As the printed substrate passes under or, in some cases, over the irradiator it is exposed to a high intensity of ultraviolet energy. In the ultraviolet curing process, special chemicals (photoinitiators) are added to coatings, adhesives and inks. When these chemicals react with certain wavelengths of ultraviolet light, molecular linking occurs, creating a durable finish, superior adhesion and better quality products. This molecular linking is instantaneous and, with the correct power output, cured all the way through the inks or coatings.
Photoinitiator: A highly efficient curing agent that is used to initiate radical polymerization of unsaturated resins after ultraviolet light exposure. Under absorption of light, it undergoes a photoreaction, producing reactive species. These species are capable of initiating the polymerization or cross linking of the polymerizable constituents within the coating. These products can be used for an array of applications including metal coatings, wood coatings, solder masks, electronics, screen inks, web offset inks and sheetfed inks.
Industrial UV Curing Systems, Engineered and Built in the USA
Oxytech Systems has designed and manufactured ultraviolet curing equipment for commercial printing, packaging, and industrial coating since 2004. Our systems cure inks, coatings, and adhesives in a fraction of a second, so lines run faster, finishes last longer, and floor space is not tied up waiting for product to dry. Every system is engineered to your substrate, line speed, and available space.
What UV curing is
UV curing uses ultraviolet light to trigger an instant photochemical reaction that hardens specially formulated inks, coatings, and adhesives. Unlike heat drying, which evaporates solvents or water over time, UV curing is nearly instantaneous and puts almost no heat into the substrate. That makes it ideal for high speeds and for heat-sensitive materials such as films and thin stocks, producing a tack-free, durable finish the moment product leaves the lamp.
LED UV vs. conventional (mercury) UV
Oxytech builds both technologies and recommends the right one for your process:
- LED UV uses long-life ultraviolet LEDs. It contains no mercury, runs cooler, switches on and off instantly, uses less energy, and lasts far longer than arc lamps — the modern choice for most new installations. If you are moving off older equipment, see Converting from Mercury Vapor UV to LED UV.
- Conventional mercury-vapor UV remains a proven, cost-effective option for many coatings and higher-output applications where the chemistry is formulated for it.
Not sure which fits your inks and coatings? We run lab trials on your material and specify the system around the results.
Applications we build for
- Inline curing on high-speed presses with Conveyorized UV Curing Systems and Sheetfed UV Curing
- Portable and retrofit units — Portable UV Curing Systems, Handheld UV Curing Systems, and Handheld UV for the Auto Industry
- Label, tag, and flexible-packaging work — Narrow Web UV Curing
- Publishing and packaging — UV Curing for Gravure, UV Curing for Box Makers, UV Curing and Drying for Book Printers, Newspaper Printing with UV, and Permanent UV Cover Production
- Advanced manufacturing — UV Curing for Semiconductor Manufacturing, UV Curing for Composites, UV Curing for Automotive Coating, UV Curing for DVD and CD Manufacturing, and Curing Equipment for Powder Coating
Why manufacturers choose Oxytech
- Instant cure, faster lines. Coatings and inks are handling-ready immediately, so throughput goes up and rework goes down.
- Lower energy and maintenance, especially with LED UV — no warm-up, no mercury disposal, and long emitter life.
- Built to your line. Precision-engineered to your web width, speed, and substrate, with retrofit options for existing presses.
- Made in the USA with responsive support and replacement parts, backed by more than 70 years of combined engineering experience.
How to choose a UV curing system
Start with three questions: What are you curing, and what is its chemistry? How fast does the line run, and how wide is the web or sheet? Is the substrate heat-sensitive? Those answers point to LED versus conventional UV, the lamp count and placement, and whether an inline or portable unit fits best. Our engineers spec the system and prove it on your material in a lab trial before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast does UV curing work?
Cure is effectively instantaneous — inks and coatings are fully hardened as they pass under the lamp, at line speeds up to 1,000 feet per minute.
Is LED UV better than mercury UV?
For most new lines, yes — it is cooler, mercury-free, more energy-efficient, and longer-lasting. Some established coatings still run best on conventional UV, which is why we build both.
Can Oxytech retrofit my existing press?
Yes. Many of our systems are designed to add UV curing to presses already on your floor.
Talk to an engineer: call 1-847-888-8611 or request a quote for your application.