UV-LED Curing for Digital Printing

Agfa turns to Phoseon Technology for its first application of UV-LED curing in its line of :Anapurna wide format UV inkjet printers

Agfa Graphics has long been known and respected as a key player in the printing equipment industry and in recent years has become a serious player in the wide format UV inkjet business. Agfa has continued to grow and develop their line of :Anapurna printers and print engines in response to the evolving sign-making marketplace which is the primary target area for these printers.

The sign making industry has led the change for improved turnaround time, higher quality and more economical solutions for printers that serve this segment of the printing market. In response, Agfa has steadily developed and invested in its portfolio of UV inkjet engines. Whether it’s a small sign shop that needs photo-quality signage or a high-volume operation requiring short run POP or other specialty printing, Agfa’s inkjet solutions provide the widest spectrum of capabilities, an array of new business opportunities and timely solutions to combat these potentially costly operational challenges. The :Anapurna line of wide format industrial C³-Systems inkjet printers are designed for indoor and outdoor signs and displays. These UV ink curable engines provide quality printing on a wide variety of coated and uncoated rigid as well as on-roll media.

The :Anapurna XLS has been the flagship of the product line with a print resolution of 635 x 800 dpi and the capability print up to 250 cm (98 in) wide on a wide variety choice of roll or rigid media. The brand new :Anapurna 2500 LED is a version of this wide hybrid industrial inkjet printer that leverages some of the key advantages of UV-LED curing.

:Anapurna 2500 LED are inkjet printers using Agfa’s proprietary head and ink technology in combination with high performance UV LED curing lamps based on Semiconductor Light Matrix (SLM)™ technology provided by Phoseon. Phoseon’s UV-LED curing technology enables output on a wider media mix and an extended range of applications while at the same time allowing a low total cost of ownership.

The :Anapurna 2500 LED prints in three quality throughput modes on uncoated rigid as well as on roll media at widths of up to 2.5 m (100”) and at speeds of up to 60 m²/h. Applications encompass posters, billboards, fl eet displays, POS and POP displays, exhibition panels, stage graphics, construction announcements, ad panels etc. :Anapurna 2500 LED produces highly saturated top quality colors at resolutions up to 1440 dpi, using Agfa made UV curable inks.

The :Anapurna 2500 LED lamps emit UV-light at a peak wave length of 395 nm. This long wave-length enables an ink curing that goes deep into the ink layer. The :Anapurna 2500 LED ink guarantees an outstanding adhesion, high scratch resistance and a non tacky ink surface on a wide range of media types. :Anapurna 2500 LED produces a large color gamut with vibrant saturated colors, as requested in many outdoor printing applications.

Phoseon’s patented Semiconductor Light Matrix (SLM™) technology combines a dense array of light emitting semiconductor devices (UV-LED), with high tech micro optics and micro cooling in a cost-effective MOEMS (micro opto electro-mechanical system) package. Phoseon’s solutions have significant advantages in energy usage, reduced heat load to the substrate, smaller equipment footprint and are a true earth friendly “cleantech” solution that does not require the use of mercury and produces no ozone. These advantages, and others, are all available with superior cost of ownership when compared to existing solutions.
Phoseon comes to the table with a wealth of experience based on a successful worldwide installed base of digital applications. Welcome to the new age of UV-LED curing and drying for UV printing presses!

If you are interested in learning more about how SLM technology can enhance your operation, contact Phoseon to arrange an on-site demonstration or have our applications team test your UV printing products in our lab. Send us your project requirements