Finishing & Screen Printing

Ligna 2023: IST METZ presents UV, LED and excimer technology for wood applications

Monday 15. May 2023 - At Ligna, which takes place from 15-19 May in Hanover, UV specialist IST METZ will present its comprehensive product portfolio of UV, LED and excimer technology for curing, gelling and matting coatings on wood and wood-based materials in Hall 17, Stand B77.

Curing, gelling and matting by means of optical systems
The BLK LAMPcure was developed for the highest industrial requirements and can also be supplied in the LED version LEDcure with 365, 385 or 395nm wavelength for a wide range of applications. Angling by means of UV or LED technology influences the feel of the coating even after curing. Additional properties such as a soft-touch surface or an anti-fingerprint effect can be achieved in this way.
Excimer technology for matt surfaces
At a wavelength of 172nm, excimer lamps have an enormously high-energy emission that starts a polymerisation process in the uppermost part of a layer of UV-curable coating. The penetration depth of the UV emission is comparatively low, so this process leaves a thin film on the wet coating without affecting deeper layers of coating. Since this film formation is subject to shrinkage, the film near the surface exhibits microfolds, resulting in a matt surface. These can be cured in the final curing process using conventional LAMPcure technology. The result is a mechanically and chemically highly resistant and deep matt surface.
Competence in the company group: customised LED solutions
Also represented on the stand in Hanover is the British sister company IST INTECH, which specialises in LED solutions for industrial applications. The air-cooled LEDcure VZ has been specially developed for the requirements of the large-format printing industry and has an output of 16W/cm”. Thanks to XT8 LED booster technology, the LEDcure VZ scores with up to 30% more power than conventional LED systems. Due to the higher curing speeds, the LED systems can cover a wide range of customer applications. All products from METZ have an identical control system.