UK curing specialists, GEW, have released AeroLED – a high powered UV LED system for full cure, printing, coating and converting applications for the narrow web market up to 60 centimetres wide.
The new system utilises an innovative design which GEW says “eliminates many of the operational problems in existing air-cooled LED systems on the market”.
The key innovation has been the addition of the air-cooling process.
“Cool, filtered air is distributed from a single centralised fan sited away from the press and exits through the UV lampheads, for quiet and reliable operation. The remote positioning of the fan avoids common problems caused by ink mist and dust ingress, while large air filters reduce the filter replacement cycle,” a GEW statement said.
“There is no need for integrated fans or electronics in the individual lampheads, which eliminates the high pitched noise and contamination issues that these bring.”
The AeroLED system features the same LED chassis and core components as GEW’s LeoLED lamphead.
“As with LeoLED, the new lamp uses GEW’s standard cassette design for easy maintenance, with tough watertight seals to protect the LED modules from ingress and to make cleaning easy and safe. Every aspect of the design has been carefully considered to deliver robust performance and long-term reliability,” GEW said.
The other benefits is a lowered energy usage with AeroLED’s optical design reducing energy by 50-70%, compared to a conventional UV arc system.
“In addition to offering greatly reduced operating costs, printers upgrading to LED are able to free up a significant level of mains capacity, which can then be used to install new machinery and subsequently increase production capability. Two AeroLED systems have a lower electrical supply requirement than just one conventional arc UV system, GEW said.
GEW managing director of sales, Robert Rae, highlighted the ease of installation to those considering a retrofit upgrade.
“As AeroLED has GEW’s familiar E2C cassette design, upgrading an E2C system with RHINO/RLT power only requires switching to the AeroLED lampheads and the addition of a fan filter unit. All other components on press remain the same. This means that a retrofit upgrade can be implemented in as little as one day, and makes AeroLED the most cost-effective route to LED printing available, worldwide,” Rae said.
“Those new to GEW products will find the cost of a complete new AeroLED upgrade to be highly competitive, and something that pays for itself typically within two years through energy savings, not to mention the increased productivity that LED systems bring to press.”
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