The transition towards UV-curing inks and varnishes with LEDs has begun, according to UK-based UV curing systems manufacturer GEW. In many situations, the company says, the move is technically and financially not fully understood to make an investment in a machine fully-equipped with LEDs. To this end, GEW have addressed the needs of many printers by developing ArcLED, what GEW calls the first “truly futureproof hybrid UV curing system.”

ArcLED enables an investment in arc technology now to be upgraded later with LEDs using the same lamphead casing and the same power supply and control. One simply adds the LED cassettes required, fits a water cooling system (already available on many machines) and the RHINO ArcLED power supply does the rest. It automatically recognizes which type of cassette is installed in the machine and adjusts the RHINO control accordingly; all the printer has to do is print.

ArcLED is an industry first, GEW says, switching seamlessly on the same press with the same RHINO power supply from DC power for the LEDs to high voltage AC for the arc lamps. RHINO ArcLED is said to be extremely energy efficient showing considerable energy savings when compared to conventional electronic power supplies.

According to GEW, an investment now in GEW’s ArcLED UV curing protects that investment into the future by ensuring an LED upgrade can be simply and cost-effectively implemented. It also gives the possibility to run a fully flexible hybrid curing system. This combination of quick-swap lampheads, reactive detection of the required power and automatic switching will optimize processes, maximize ink compatibility and increase machine productivity.

The advanced characteristic that gives the user the ability of fast and easy switching is a special feature of the ArcLED UV system, a technology that GEW is the only manufacturer to implement.