Drying, Curing & UV
Hinting at the future of curing solutions
unveiled several important enhancements to further increase the functionality of its UV systems.
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Multipoint in-line UV dose control allows comprehensive monitoring of the UV output during the curing process. It acts as a built-in UV intensity meter and measures the actual intensity across the full width of the lamp with great precision before the wrong dose could have an impact on production. Low intensity, which would not adequately cure, is thus avoided, as is insufficient output from a degraded lamp. As a result unnecessary downtime is eliminated and production efficiency is accordingly improved. This technology is ideally suited to monitoring the curing of low migration inks for products intended for food use. Inert atmosphere curing is an
important feature in the production of silicone release liners and direct food contact packaging, whereby the curing process takes place under controlled reduced oxygen conditions in a sealed nitrogen chamber. New applications in printing, coating and packaging mean that there is an increasing demand for inert atmosphere UV curing to achieve thinner coats, improved curing and increased production speeds at the same or lesser power levels. GEW’s all-new inert atmosphere curing solution ensures complete process consistency and production efficiency by keeping the oxygen
16 June 2016
t this year’s drupa exhibition, GEW’s Specialist UV Division
level within tightly maintained limits. The nitrogen control panel gives the operator a visual feedback and enables them to accurately control the volume of nitrogen required in the chamber to optimise the curing process.
COMPANY SUCCESSES GEW has seen many successes over the past 25 years, and the company’s development of the E2C lamphead powered by RHINO electronics is the biggest. This product is a concentrate of all the best features of all of the company’s previous products. Its patented reflector design is extremely efficient and has reduced printers’ production costs significantly whilst also enabling them to process the widest range of heat sensitive materials. RHINO, launched in 2013, is one of the most energy efficient UV power supplies in the industry and, with the launch of ArcLED in 2015, is capable of running mercury arc lamps and LEDs. This feature gives end users an enormous advantage when converting their production to LED inks. “From the earliest days of GEW,
my wife Gillian and I have built the business on the sound principles of honesty and hard work,” says Rae. “We both still work hard to improve the capability of our staff, recruit the best people, and train and develop all our employees. This focus on building a professional team has enabled the business to adjust and evolve hugely. “The move to our current site in
Crawley four years ago raised the whole standard of the business from our factory and office
GEW’s in-line UV dose control equipment
accommodation through to the way we assemble our systems. However, the biggest change of all is in the performance and efficiency of all of our products, a fact highlighted by our growing sales success.” As a specialist UV systems manufacturer, GEW has also been engaged in researching the potential of UV LED for many years. Today the company is actively developing LED and mercury arc lamp technology for printing, coating and industrial applications.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE GEW has monitored the development of UV LEDs over a number of years; three years ago the company decided to develop its own LED-based UV curing solution, and Rob Rae joined GEW to focus solely on the development of these systems. GEW LED technology uses a very different approach to the other LED system suppliers and it is
The 2,400mm NUVA2 UV lamphead
Malcom Rae, managing director of GEW, looks back over an exciting few months for the company, including celebrating 25 years in business and unveiling new product launches and enhancements at the recent drupa show
fully compatible with its range of arc lamps, making upgradability and interchangeability a practical, cost effective option. In essence these LED systems
offer state-of-the-art electronics with rugged common sense engineering, making them suitable for narrow web, sheet fed and wide converting applications. “For over 25 years GEW has demonstrated an ability to develop exciting products which meet and regularly exceed customer expectations,” Rae continues. “The first product we ever produced, our MD1, had several innovative features and quickly attracted many customers. This allowed us to grow, in spite of a lasting economic recession, and develop a loyal customer base, which is still intact today.
“Our relentless focus on energy efficiency is driving one side of our development, the other being our effort to design ever more cost effective products. E2C with RHINO power is a rare combination of energy efficiency and value for money. Our development programme is accelerating that means our customers will see a steady stream of new development in the coming years. “Everyone at GEW has worked
hard to ensure that its first 25 years in business have been successful and prosperous. Trying to delve into the future of UV curing technology is an exciting challenge and GEW has the skills and the resources to meet that challenge.”
+44 (0)1737 742850
www.gewuv.com
www.convertermag.co.uk
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