Coatings World - April 2017

David Savastano, Ink World Editor

Energy curing is ;nding new applications, from 3D print- ing and touch displays to inkjet and food packaging, and UV LED is emerging as a huge opportunity. uveb West 2017, held in Burlingame, California from Feb. 27-March 1, explored these markets in depth.

Gary Cohen, executive director of Rad Tech, which organized uveb West 2017, said the scope of the talks were impressive.

“There are not too many events with presentations as varied as food preservation implications to conversations about mathematical modeling with inkjet printing,” Cohen said. “There are a lot of new people entering the industry in growth areas like 3D printing and inkjet.” Chemistry of UV/EB, led by Dr. Susan E Bailey, technical man-ager-North America, IGM Resins and adjunct professor, SUNY-ESF Outreach. The Short Course served as an introductory course on the chemistry of UV/EB curable formulations.

The critical topic of UV LED is of major interest to coating
manufacturers, with the second day dedicated to the topic.
Nine speakers offering their insights, with William Schaeffer of
Sartomer Americas leading off with “Chemistry and Methods
for Enhanced UV-LED Cure Performance.” Brian Jasenak, Kopp
Glass, discussed “Demonstration of UV LED Versatility When
Paired with Molded UV Transmitting Glass Optics for Unique
Curing Applications.” Jasenak noted that companies can use UV
LEDs and molded optics to improve uniformity, increase peak
irradiance minimize stray rays, design for ;xturing and design
for application requirements.

He added that the value to end users include increased or improved LED lifetime, manufacturing ;exibility, ability to cure complex 3D surfaces and improved quality of the ;nished product, while reducing manufacturing time, energy and operational costs and capital equipment cost.