UV Light Systems

UV light systems provide ultraviolet (UV) light for curing, material identification, forensic location, disinfection and material processing applications. Some UV light systems use ultraviolet radiation to initiate chemical reactions and cure adhesives, coatings, and resins. Others use the fluorescent response of chemicals, water tracers, markers or inks, minerals and biological specimens to identify the presence of specific material types. For example, forensic scientists use UV light systems to locate and identify materials or trace chemicals in arson accelerants or tagging dyes. UV light is also an essential tool in thin-layer chromatography (TLC), a process that chemists use to identify the components in a mixture. Medical, pharmaceutical, and public health personnel use UV disinfection systems and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) to sanitize air, water, and transparent materials or surfaces. UV light systems are also used in specialized or proprietary applications.

UV light systems are available in a variety of configurations. Curing chambers consist of a power supply, light source and enclosure or chamber that provides a work surface and shields the operator from radiation. UV conveyors or continuous systems consist of a belt conveying unit, power supply and UV light source, as well as an enclosure that is open on both ends, which allows products or sheets to pass through the system. Hand held or portable UV devices are useful for repair and testing in field, laboratory, plant floor, and other settings where transportation of large systems is impractical. Flood or focused UV sources or modules are also integrated in production lines. Process or line mounted UV systems include a power supply, light source and flange, cartridge mounting or fitting, web system, coating line, and conveyor lines or tanks that transport chemicals, plastic film, or other transparent media for processing. Spot or wand systems are benchtop units that provide a UV beam with a small spot size for selective curing applications. Wall or ceiling mounted UV systems disinfect an air stream as UV light irradiates the air circulating through the room. HVAC or duct-mounted systems are also available. 

UV light systems produce ultraviolet radiation falling into one to three UV bands: UVA, UVB and UVC.  UVA is the near or long wave UV band (

315 to 400 nm). Also known as black light, UVA makes certain pigments fluoresce. UVA has little effect on pathogens and no effect on human tissue. UVB is the middle UV band (

280 to 315 nm). It inactivates a moderate amount of pathogens, but is not as effective as UVC in destroying bacteria. Prolonged exposure to UVB results in blistering of the skin and cornea damage. UVC is the germicidal or short wave UV band (

200 to 280 nm). When used correctly, UVC or UVGI inactivates pathogens by destroying their DNA and RNA, rendering the microbes impotent. The ideal wavelength for eradicating pathogens is 253.7 nm. Some UV light systems also produce visible or UV-visible light in the blue green region (

395 to 455 nm). Visible light is useful for adhesives with dual UV/visible cure capability. Products that produce ultraviolet light falling into the vacuum UV (VUV) band (100 to 200 nm) are also available.

Selecting UV light systems requires an analysis of lamp output power, lamp intensity, and product features. Some devices can be programmed or have a computer interface for programming, control or data acquisition. Others have integral or optional filters, meters or timers, and can feed multiple wands. Specialized equipment can expose a product or material to light from multiple directions. Pulsed UV light systems and products that use light emitting diodes (LEDs) as a light source are also available.

• Pulsed UV Light Systems in Clean Room Isolators
  Pharmaceutical and medical device companies are increasingly manufacturing their products in clean rooms equipped with two types of enhanced clean room devices. One device is the simple hood or flow...
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• Achieving Faster DVD Cure Time with Pulsed UV
  An important advantage of pulsed UV light curing systems in Optical Disc applications is the ability to deliver high peak UV energy in short pulses, at low substrate temperatures. This results in the...
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• UV Curing Adhesives and Potting Compounds
  Recent advancements in ultraviolet curing have given engineers a new opportunity when choosing adhesives, potting compounds, coatings, and sealants. Until now, most of these systems were either...
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Part Numbers for UV Light Systems