The firm will show both LED and arc UV curing in combination on the device with Flint Group’s low-migration inks for label and film applications.
With this combination, the press will run at high speed using less energy, while outputting the same capacity, according to MPS. The company said heavy ink layers are cured more consistently with improved adhesion as a result of the high intensity of UVA illumination with LED.
Technical director Bert van den Brink said: “The main difference and biggest advantage of this curing system, compared with other LED systems, is the ability to combine and interchange conventional arc lamps with LED curing at every print station.
“This hybrid system also provides customers with the flexibility to upgrade to LED at a later stage, so they can fully utilise the advantages of both technologies without the need to re-invest or modify their press.
“What also makes this hybrid UV curing system advantageous for our customers is the opportunity to move towards LED curing without the risk of being locked into the technology on the entire press.
“We recognise that further LED developments are underway, and the total ink portfolio needed for certain print jobs is not yet available in LED curing. However, the industry recognises the developments in the field of LED will evolve rapidly, just like the change of infrared to UV.”
With the GEW ArcLED curing system, the same lamphead casing is used with interchangeable pull-out cassettes for arc and LED, including the same power supply and control.
The associated Rhino-ArcLED power supply automatically recognises the type of cassette being used and adapts all parameters accordingly, including the correct power type and running parameters.
GEW international sales manager Marcus Greenbrook said: “Our new LED UV curing system is compatible with the widest range of substrates, and it increases machine uptime because it requires less maintenance.
“It also reduces energy consumption, as with LED instant on-off switching means no energy is consumed when the printing machine is idle between jobs.
“The ArcLED UV system increases machine productivity as well as providing the possibility to run a fully flexible hybrid curing system.”
Labelexpo 2015 will take place in Brussels, Belgium from 29 September to 2 October.
