Most inkjet manufacturers have their own
proprietary curing system design. The hope is to maintain replacement
parts business. This does not mean every quartz plate, filter or
replacement UV lamp is only available from the OEM. Search the
internet; you will discover companies offering alternative components
at a discount.
Most lamp housings incorporate one or two cooling
fans to maintain bulb temperature. Most have a filter screen to prevent
dust and dirt from being blown onto the UV bulb. Regularly clean the
filter to maintain cooling efficiency. The higher the bulb power, the
more heat created. Most lamp assemblies have a thermal safety switch.
This shuts off the UV lamp in case of excess temperature. Clean the
screen or replace it regularly. Environmental factors (shop-air, etc.)
can accelerate filter clogging.
Maintaining your UV inkjet assembly it not
complicated or time consuming. The rewards are immediate and benefits
long lasting.
Screen printing and label curing lamp
maintenance
Screen printing and label curing lamps tend to
have longer arc lengths than digital inkjet lamps however much of the
maintenance is the same.
The majority of UV curing lamps are air cooled
hence it is imperative to use filtered air to keep UV system running
efficiently. Dust, misting ink and a hot UV lamp is a recipe for
disaster, reducing UV energy and shortening lamp life.
A small investment in cleaner cooling air will
go a long way reducing maintenance costs.
Bulbs and reflectors should be inspected every 200
hours of operation. If lamp has external contamination or reflector
surface is dull, clean immediately! If
solvents are permitted, use isopropyl alcohol, otherwise Windex or
Simple Green applied with a lint free cloth will work fine. For longer
arc lengths, we suggest slightly rotating lamps with every cleaning. If
your system has mechanical shutters, this is also a good time to
inspect air-lines, pneumatic cylinders and all parts common to shutter
operation. Always allow lamp to
cool and disconnect all power prior to any cleaning.
