Application of UV Curing Technology in Flexographic Printing

Curing process of UV coating

       After UV radiation, UV coatings are initiated by photoinitiators to produce free radicals or ions.Application of UV Curing Technology in Flexographic Printing

     These free radicals or ions cross-linked with the double bonds in oligomer unsaturated monomers to form monomer genes, thereby initiating polymerization, cross-linking and grafting reactions, The resin (UV coating, ink, adhesive, etc.) is transformed from liquid to solid within a few seconds (this change process is called “UV curing”), and a complete curing process is completed.Application of UV Curing Technology in Flexographic Printing

      UV flexographic ink has excellent physical and chemical properties. The process of UV curing and drying is the photochemical reaction of UV ink, that is, from linear structure to network structure, so it has many excellent physicochemical properties such as water resistance, alcohol resistance, wear resistance and aging resistance, which are inferior to other types of inks. Application of UV Curing Technology in Flexographic Printing

       UV flexographic ink has good printing applicability, high printing quality, no change in physical properties in the printing process, no volatile solvent, stable viscosity, not easy to paste and stack, strong printing inking force, high dot definition, good tone reproducibility, bright ink color and firm adhesion, which is suitable for fine product printing.Application of UV Curing Technology in Flexographic Printing

     At present, the promotion and application of UV printing technology in China still has a process. On the one hand, it is a further understanding of UV flexo printing technology;Application of UV Curing Technology in Flexographic Printing

     On the other hand, the equipment, light source, supporting equipment and process technology are improved and perfected together. Application of UV Curing Technology in Flexographic Printing

      This requires the cooperation of equipment manufacturers, ink companies and light source companies to achieve perfect printing curing effect.Application of UV Curing Technology in Flexographic Printing

       For example, UV light source: each color group of UV flexo printing needs to be equipped with UV light source. UV flexo printing inks of different colors have different ability to absorb ultraviolet rays. Application of UV Curing Technology in Flexographic Printing

     For example, yellow and magenta have strong absorption ability and are easier to cure and dry, while blue and black have weak absorption ability and are less easy to dry. Application of UV Curing Technology in Flexographic Printing

      They are cured at the back and the power increases. The power of UV lamp can be distributed according to different colors to ensure the reasonable drying of various colors of UV ink and save energy at the same time. Pay attention to the aging of UV lamp tube and replace the UV lamp tube in time to prevent incomplete curing and adhesion.Application of UV Curing Technology in Flexographic Printing

The service life of ultraviolet lamp is 1000 hours. Frequent startup will significantly shorten the service life of lamp.

 UV curing device in flexible

Some suggestions on the application of plate printing

1. The complete UV curing device shall be divided into three parts: light box, power control box and cooling device.Application of UV Curing Technology in Flexographic Printing

2. The appearance of the light box shall be small and complete, and ensure that the cooling air can flow smoothly.Application of UV Curing Technology in Flexographic Printing

3. The power of the light source is high, and the power can be converted into full power, half power or 75% power.Application of UV Curing Technology in Flexographic Printing

4. The fan switch is controlled in the electrical box, and there should be 6-8 minutes of delayed air cooling after turning off the light to cool the lamp tube.Application of UV Curing Technology in Flexographic Printing

5. The main switches are equipped with indicator lights and protective measures are taken for the main electrical parts.Application of UV Curing Technology in Flexographic Printing

6. Quartz heat insulation sheet can be selected for the lampshade part for the curing of thermal sensitive materials.Application of UV Curing Technology in Flexographic Printing

       At present, the number of flexo printing machines and rotary machines equipped with UV ink curing system in foreign countries is increasing. At the same time, the existing self-adhesive machines are also constantly refitting UV ink curing system.Application of UV Curing Technology in Flexographic Printing

        Using UV ink to replace water-based ink and solvent ink has become a development trend and has been widely used in soft concave machine. Undoubtedly, the development prospect of UV flexo printing technology is very good. Application of UV Curing Technology in Flexographic Printing

      The promotion and application of domestic UV flexo printing technology needs to be matched and improved by domestic equipment manufacturers according to our national conditions and product needs, so as to improve the cost performance of products and the stability and durability of equipment.Application of UV Curing Technology in Flexographic Printing

       With the increasingly stringent environmental and quality requirements, it is believed that the domestic UV device technology will have a great development in the near future.Application of UV Curing Technology in Flexographic Printing