Reflectors
Description
| A critical part of any UV system is the reflector and the reflector type must be matched to the printing process. Materials, surface roughness and geometry all combine to form reflectors with different characteristics. All GEW systems will be specified with a reflector type best suited to optimise curing performance for your application. Flexibility is provided by a fully modular design; all reflectors are mounted on interchangeable cassettes. A simple quick-release latch mechanism enables differently configured cassettes to be swiftly mounted into the lamphead as required. |
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The main types of reflector are described below.
Glass Dichroic Reflectors
Highly polished glass is coated with dichroic material giving outstanding UV reflectivity with exceptionally long life. GEW's experience is that dichroic coated glass produces an excellent, durable and efficient material for reflectors. 
Features:
- High UV – low IR reflectivity for the ultimate in cool UV curing.
- Best long-term substrate to maintain reflectivity over extended periods
Ideally suited to: UV flexo running unsupported film without chill drum/roller, heat sensitive materials, thermal paper etc.
Polished/Coated Aluminium Reflectors
Highly polished aluminium is coated with a protective layer of quartz to prevent oxidation and maximise working life.
Features:
- Reflects a broad spectrum across UV and IR to maximise curing power
- Quartz coating provides superior long-term protection from corrosion to maintain reflectivity over extended periods.
- Complex reflector profiles can be made from extruded aluminium (eg. for focussed reflector geometry)
Ideally suited to: thick film coatings such as silk screen, cationic inks and where ultimate curing is required. The higher heat output provides faster curing speeds.
Dichroic Coated Aluminium Reflectors
The aluminium reflector is coated with a dichroic material to provide surface protection.
Features:
- Reflects a broad spectrum across UV and IR to maximise curing power
- Dichroic coating protects from corrosion to maintain reflectivity.
- Complex reflector profiles can be made from extruded aluminium (eg. for focussed reflector geometry)
Ideally suited to: thick film coatings such as silk screen, cationic inks and where ultimate curing is required. The higher heat output provides faster curing speeds.
Relative Performance
Curing speeds can be increased by 30-40% using focussed aluminium in place of dichroic reflectors. Heat also increases which can assist thick film and cationic ink curing applications. Aluminium reflectors are capable of achieving production enhancements on less heat-sensitive materials
