client news
Integration Technology Ltd (ITL)
report highlights pitfalls of using non-OEM bulbs for UV print curing
Concerns over the use of non-original equipment manufacturer (OEM) bulbs in
the lamp heads of its SubZero 055 and 085 miniature ultra violet (UV) inkjet
print curing systems has been highlighted in latest technical information
bulletin from UV curing solutions specialist, Integration Technology Ltd (ITL).
The bulletin cites potential outcomes from using non-OEM lamps currently
being sold by other lamp manufacturers including insufficient curing,
shortened bulb and reflector life, increased heat transfer to substrate,
non-uniform curing, invalidation of all UL and CE compliances, and fire
hazards.
"This a real concern to us," says ITL managing director, Adrian Lockwood.
"Apart from having shorter lamp lives, non-OEM lamps used within our lamp
head housings may create a potential fire hazard and may cause irreparable
damage to the UV lamp head and power supply unit.
"Suppliers of non-certified lamps are not in communication with us, and
don’t fully understand the safety and operational requirements of our
lamps," he adds.
R&D research
ITL regularly evaluates non-OEM lamps at its UK R&D centre near Oxford using
established and routine lamp testing procedures.
Bulb operation and UV output results are compared to those of ITL-produced
SubZero bulbs, while their overall construction is inspected to identify any
possible safety concerns and determine compliance with UL and CE
certifications.
ITL testing finds many non-OEM lamps running with 5% higher current (and
power) while producing a spectral output that contains 25% less UVA,
potentially resulting in un-cured ink or reduced effective lamp life.
The higher power of some non-OEM lamps combined with larger lamp diameters
cause reflectors to overheat and increases the amount of heat transmitted to
the media surface, says the company, adding that incorrect arc lengths
create non-uniform curing across the width of the lamp head which may
produce striping or banding in the final image.
The potential invalidation of industry standards and insurances are a
further concern: non-OEM lamps invalidate the UL and CE markings on the
SubZero system are likely to invalidate UL and CE markings on the larger
print system, which consequently may invalidate a user’s fire insurance.
Further information at Integration Technology Technical Information Bulletin
- Pirate Bulbs.
ends
Issued June 2010 on behalf of
Integration Technology Ltd by
petermuir public relations
Whiteleaf Business Centre, Buckingham Industrial Park, Buckingham MK18 1TF,
UK tel 00 44 (0) 1296 715228
EDITORS’ NOTES:
Full report discussed here online at
http://www.uvintegration.com/downloads/files/Pirate_Bulbs_91.pdf
About Integration Technology Ltd
(ITL) :
http://www.pmpr.co.uk/int_technology.htm
For comment/interview with ITL
management and technologists, contact:
Peter Muir peter.muir@pmpr.co.uk
tel. 00 44 (0)1296 175228 mobile 00 44 (0)7703 648077
