IST Metz GmbH

Excimer technology is used in many industrial sectors and applications. Excimer stands for “excited dimer”, in other words a dimer (e.g. Xe-Xe-, Kr-Cl gas) which is excited to a higher energy state following application of an alternating voltage. This process physically separates at least one of the electrodes from the dimer gas by means of a dielectric barrier layer (synthetic quartz glass). The synthetic quartz glass allows transmission of UV light, even at wavelengths below 200 nm. To get around the problem of absorption by the oxygen in air, the process is run in an inert atmosphere which uses nitrogen.

 

SPHERES OF APPLICATION FOR EXCIMER TECHNOLOGY - EXCIMER TECHNOLOGY IN DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS

MATIFYING

Irradiating surface coatings with short-wave excimer beams polymerizes the top layer, forming a thin, cured film on the surface. As polymerization also results in shrinkage, the film close to the surface exhibits microfolds which create a matt surface. As a consequence, the formulation need not include matifying agents. The coating is then deep-cured downstream by conventional medium-pressure UV lamps

·         Matifying: UV excimer (172 nm) under protective gas atmosphere

·         Curing: medium-pressure UV lamp (200 – 450 nm) under protective gas or normal atmosphere

·         No matifying agent required (though this can be used)

·         Gloss: gloss level 2 – 30 (measuring angle 60°) as a function of application

·         Spheres of application: PVC flooring, decorative films for furniture and flooring, fibreboards and laminates, wood panels, plastic parts (e.g. automotive industry)

 

BLEACHING & DISINFECTING

Ozone forms at wavelengths below 242 nm. By then, the energy value of the light equivalent has reached a value capable of splitting the oxygen molecule (O2) into oxygen atoms (O). If the oxygen atoms react with an oxygen molecule, ozone (O3) forms. Its wavelength of 172 nm and associated high-energy radiation makes an excimer a good “ozone generator”.

·         Ozone is used as a bleach in the textile and foamed material industries

·         In disinfecting, ozone is used to disinfect water and air, as it has a virucidal, bactericidal and fungicidal effect

 Damage to DNA occurs at wavelengths of up to 280 nm. This prevents bacteria and viruses from multiplying. There is a high degree of effectiveness in the range of 254 nm, but ozone absorbs the corresponding wavelengths from medium-pressure Hg lamps. Spheres of application: bleaches in the textile and foamed material industries, disinfecting water and air.

 

CLEANING & MODIFICATION OF SURFACES

UV cleaning methods play a key role in the display and semiconductor sector. Very short wavelength UV light (peak value 172 nm) is used to break up the bonds in organic substances. Additional generation of ozone oxidizes these contaminants into carbon dioxide and water. The result is a clean surface.

The modification of surfaces improves surface tension, which in turn improves wettability. Wettability is measured via contact angle. A significant effect is achieved at wavelengths of below 200 nm.

Spheres of application: display panel production, touch panel production, wafer production

 

AVAILABLE EXCIMER LAMPS

·         Lamp lengths: 375 mm – 2300 mm

·         Output: Ca. 5 W/cm, max. 1 kW

·         Gain: ca. 40 %

·         FWHM (Full Width of Half Minimum): ca. 14 nm

·         Optional wavelengths: (222 oder 308 nm)

A clever modular basic concept combined with its extremely robust and compact design allows the user maximum flexibility and versatility. The system is freely scalable in length and can be adapted to all machine formats and installation situations. This makes it possible to use a LEDcure unit at different positions on a machine. In combination with decades of experience in tailor-made machine integration, the compact design ensures the user access to important areas of the printing press at any time.

XT8 BOOSTER: SYNERGIES EFFECTIVELY USED

The new LEDcure completes the entire redesigned LED solution range, which IST offers together with its subsidiary Integration Technology Ltd. (ITL). Synergies between the two companies increasingly come into effect, such as XT8 Booster. Thanks to the new booster technology, the LEDcure has up to 30% more power than conventional LED systems. Other highlights of the new LEDcure include the simple exchange of the optics or the possibility of retrofitting the LED chips.

PERFORMANCE PAIRED WITH FLEXIBILITY

At the usual distance of 50 mm to 100 mm from the substrate, the new LEDcure offers a very high performance in sheetfed offset printing. This is not only due to the maximum irradiation intensity, the so-called peak, but the wide irradiation field of the LEDcure also offers an extra drying time, also called dose. It is often as decisive for efficient curing of the LED colours and lacquers as the peak. As a result, customers and suppliers of consumables have more flexibility in the design and choice of paints and varnishes.

 

THE LEDCURE FROM IST METZ

·         … IS ECONOMICAL

o   minimised processing time due to dry sheets

o   long service life of LEDs

o   no warm-up and cooling-down times, immediate availability

o   no powder, extended cleaning intervals

o   protective varnish is not required

o   cost-saving due to format switching

o   lower ink consumption compared to conventional printing inks

·         … IS SUITABLE FOR RETROFITTING YOUR PRINTING PRESS

o   lower investment

o   quicker return on investment

o   shorter installation times than other drying systems

o   significant machine value increase due to retrofit

o   successful certification and recertification to PSO/ISO 12647 possible

·         … EXTENDS YOUR RANGE OF APPLICATIONS

o   brilliant colours and high contrast on diverse substrates

o   minimal heat transfer to the print substrate, ideal for synthetic and heat-sensitive substrates

o   immediate processing, reduction of delivery times

o   industry-leading modularity and expandability

·         … ALSO OFFERS MANY BENEFITS TO NEWCOMERS

o   instant drying of inks and coatings

o   no colour change

o   brilliant print results, perfect gloss with inline coating

o   higher mechanical resistance compared to oil-based colours

o   solvent-free ink and coating systems

o   easier and faster production on plastics, metallised and uncoated materials

o   space and time saving: short processing times since no storage space required for drying time before further processing

·         … PROTECTS THE ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVES RESOURCES

o   no powder, ozone or mercury

o   no extraction required

o   LEDs can be switched on/off immediately, no energy use on stand-by

o   minimum thermal impact on the substrate and the printing machine

o   no additional warming of the printing room

o   format switching and sheet clocking

ALL ADVANTAGES AT A GLANCE

SLIM FIT

Extremely robust and compact design. The compact design makes it simple to integrate and flexible in use, as welll as easy to access.

XFINE - OPTIMIZED FORMAT ADAPTATION

Format adaptation has been further improved, so the irradiated area can be set in increments of 30 mm. The new LEDcure provides optional adjustment in 15 mm increments.

DEEP CURE OPTIC

The extremely high-performance LED system not only achieves optimum values for surface curing, but does so even at very great distances and maximum press speed. The specially-developed Deep Cure optical system improves penetration of the entire ink and varnish layer and delivers highly efficient deep curing.

ENERGY SAVINGS

LEDcure is immediately operational, it does not need time to warm up. Additional energy-saving potential is provided by the ability to switch off the unit during pauses in production, adapting the LED unit to the print format and the dimmable output of the LEDcure. The concept of optical coupling out and heat management newly developed with the XT8 technology permits an output up to 30 % higher; this simultaneously treats the LED chips gently, increases service life and protects the chips from external effects.

UV pioneer IST Metz has been setting standards in the printing industry for over 40 years. The group of companies offers a broad portfolio of UV lamp and LED systems, warm air infrared systems, excimer technology and an in-house laboratory. The UV Days have long been a guarantee for first-hand expert knowledge, a varied programme, important contacts in the industry, award-winning print products and a coherent concept.

 

In 2021 the world’s largest show for optical systems will take place “on air”. Our team will broadcast live from a TV studio and will be showcasing the latest development in UV, LED and excimer technology – streamed directly to your screen. Also in industrial applications, the options of optical systems are almost limitless – whether in the processing of wood, touch-displays and plastic parts in the areas of converting. Find out more from our industry-leading partners and discover your possibilities.

Under the motto "Tradition meets modernity", organiser and world market leader IST Metz once again welcomed 55 renowned exhibitors and industry partners to its headquarters in Nürtingen near Stuttgart in southern Germany. With more than 1300 visitors and 55 exhibitors, the UV Days were more well-attended and more diversified than ever before in terms of application technology. With 13 industrial partners, industrial applications were represented more strongly than ever before at the UV Days. Even outside the printing industry, the application possibilities for optical systems are almost limitless. That’s why IST offers tailor-made systems and solutions as well as professional support and laboratory services with UV, LED and Excimer systems for industrial applications. At the in-house exhibition, IST Metz presented its new Excimer laboratory system for the first time in daily live demonstrations.

 

A special feature of UV Days 2019 were once again the print products produced especially for the event, such as the PadBook, the coffee concept X-Press-U or the food-certified SIMPL Dining Foodbox. IST Metz also presented a number of program highlights: Impulse and short presentations on the current topics of deinking, low migration packaging, curing control, pinted electronics and matting with excimer took place for the first time. There were also live print demonstrations on the company's own sheetfed offset press, live demonstrations on the narrow web press, and production and laboratory tours.

Newspaper publishing houses have been facing growing challenges for some time now. These include falling subscription figures, reduced circulation and market penetration, and the constantly growing demands on the quality of newspaper printing. Further difficulties are posed by the global overcapacity in almost all relevant newspaper markets coupled with rising expectations of newspaper print quality, especially in the advertising business.

ADVANTAGES OF UV AND LED CURING

·         Instant curing of ink enables immediate further processing

·         No ink build-up on the turner bars or funnel tips

·         Significant improvement in visual and metrological print quality

·         Consistent production conditions and maximum machine performance

·         Greater variety of substrates (including coated and matt substrates)

·         Improved immediacy, reliable production and as late a press-down time as possible thanks to complete and instant curing

·         Processing/finishing with opaque white and metallic pigments possible in the advertising industry

·         Ink consumption reduced by around 15%

·         Ink is not soaked up by the paper but remains on the surface

PARAMETERS FOR A SUCCESSFUL INSTALLATION

·         Generally higher ink costs

·         Different rheological properties (pumping)

·         Different chemical properties (ink rollers, blankets)

TECHNICAL ADVANTAGES

·         Controlled temperature (heat management)

·         High efficiency through CM/aluminium reflector technology

·         Safe working conditions due to extraction, etc.

·         Long lamp life

·         Continuous line control and regulation

·         UV measurement optional

·         Compact size

·         Storage of order data

·         Storage of error messages