Application
Paint.
Radiation technologies in paint curing
Water-based / Solvent-based, powder and UV/EB paints...
Each paint has its own technology.
We design equipment depending on the line (paint, substrate, type of line, etc.) and available energy (gas or electric).
Our chemists are at your service to determine the best IR or UV/EB technology
INFRARED
Ovens and gas Infrared doping :
Also called doping or IR baking arches, this equipment is placed at the entrance of existing ovens that do not fulfill factory objectives in terms of output (increase in production, more massive parts, etc.) or quality (cold spots, grains, non-compliant curves).
They can be added at the entrance to the oven, integrated into an airlock or air curtain or even replace a convective part.
CSI develops your IR arch on demand to improve your paint line after a detailed analysis of existing equipment. Doping is completely different between liquid solvent, water-based paint or powder processes.
IR ventilation is independent from the oven air. An IR ring changes nothing in terms of the quality and the balance of doped ovens.
Doping can be applied to part surfaces or a specific point for precisely-defined radiation.
Power density is also adapted to the process. CSI IR radiators can provide power densities up to 200 kW/m² as well as much lower densities if the parts or products do not allow for high temperature ramps.
Some products require specific wavelengths. CSI has a variety of IR gas or electrical sources to take these wavelengths into account when defining the doping system.
Ovens and electric Infrared doping :
Electrical IR doping arches have most of the advantages of gas infrared, but they also allow for a wider range of wavelengths, from long to short infrared, which cannot be achieved with gas technology.
Short infrared allows for complete isolation between the radiation source and the parts that pass through the doping arch.
This equipment is placed at the entrance to existing ovens that do not fulfill factory objectives in terms of throughput (increase in production, more massive parts, etc.) or quality (cold spots, grains, non-compliant curves).
They can be added at the entrance to the oven, integrated into an airlock or air curtain or even replace a convective part.
CSI develops your IR arch on demand to improve your paint line after a detailed analysis of existing equipment. Doping is completely different between liquid solvent, water-based paint or powder processes.
IR ventilation is independent from the oven air. An IR ring changes nothing in terms of the quality and the balance of doped ovens.
Doping can be applied to part surfaces or a specific point for precisely-defined radiation, only heating a specific point on the X, Y and Z axes.
Power density is also adapted to the process. CSI IR technology can provide power densities up to 700 kW/m² (very rare for this type of process) as well as much lower densities if the parts or products do not allow for high temperature ramps.
Some products require specific wavelengths. CSI has a variety of IR gas or electrical sources to take these wavelengths into account when defining the doping system.
Infrared gas or electric doping/curing panels :
CSI also develops more compact systems that can be limited to one or a few panels or IR modules in order to enhance existing ovens (increase speed, specific cold points, improving temperature curves). The infrared elements can be placed in front of existing ovens, in the entrance or even in the oven itself.
Like the larger installations already described above, IR panels can provide a wide range of power densities over a wide range of wavelengths.
Paint and varnish on wood :
Paints and varnishes on wood represent an additional difficulty due to polymerization. Contrary to metal, glass or plastic which may be more or less adapted to heat treatment, wood has the additional property of being “alive”. Substrate and product may interfere in an irregular manner and cause problems during processing. This is why IR tunnels for the wood industry must be adaptable, corresponding to the wavelength required for the substrate/product combination and repeatable over time and during transitional phases.
CSI’s IR tunnels, both flat and complex, are designed based on the shape needs of production.
CSI can conduct studies and tests in collaboration with our suppliers (varnish or coating) in order to help our customers choose the right technology. The IR solution may also combine IR + UV or be exclusively UV.
Ultraviolet
Paint and varnish on wood :
CSI can work on UV arcs or UV LED technologies. Technology will be selected based on production conditions and the product itself.
UV varnishes are used in finishing, varnishing and laminating for furniture and woodwork. With the benefits of increased hardness and durability, these varnishes contain little or no environmentally harmful solvents and increase the quality of the finished product.
In order to limit the undesirable effects of heat treatment and interactions between wood and product, UV is an interesting alternative. Here, more than in IR, radiation wavelengths are important because the photochemical elements only respond to a certain amount of energy in the right radiation range.
It is therefore important to work with the product supplier to select and approve the best UV lamp. For this purpose, validation tests can be carried out on our premises or on line.
The UV solution can be part of a mixed IR + UV solution.
Paint and varnish on glass / plastics :
CSI can work on UV arcs or UV LED technologies. Technology will be selected based on production conditions and the product itself.
UV coatings offer better resistance to abrasion and scratches. They are therefore an interesting solution for protecting the sensitive side of glass or plastic surfaces, as well as for improving the assembly process of printed circuit boards.
Painting and varnishing in printing and graphic arts :
CSI’s UV systems can meet industry demands.
Using UV ink prevents material evaporation and therefore printed surface reduction, saving you time on managing these issues. In addition, there are no scraps to treat.
CSI UV systems can be integrated into digital, offset, flexographic, lithographic, screen and letterpress printing lines. They allow for more flexibility, better rendering quality and longer print life, while reducing curing times.
Electron beams
Electron beams (Ebeam) and EB coatings :
CSI was a partner of the first industrial line combination of the three IR/UV/EB radiation technologies in Europe. As a technical partner to companies promoting these technologies, including coil-coating and packaging, CSI has also contributed to the development of EB laboratory unit that allows manufacturers of EBeam coatings to develop and promote their products for industrial users.
Tightened regulations on VOC emissions, reduced energy consumption, gradual increases in the CO2 tax and product recycling require end users of lacquers, coatings, printing inks and adhesives containing solvents to look for more environmentally-friendly processes. The growth of EBeam technology is only just beginning!
Electron beam curing drastically reduces energy consumption and avoids the emission and processing of VOCs (EB coatings are 100% dry solids). There is no temperature increase unlike IR and UV treatments.
EBeam technology significantly reduces the space required for a process line and allows very high productivity.
CSI and its sister company RADSYS (www.radsys.eu) can answer all questions about this rapidly growing technology.
Before
Possibility of laboratory and on-site testing.
After
Our equipment is designed for easier maintenance:
– Emitters with increased lifetime due to materials choice and design of our ovens.
– Infrared panels in removable racks.
– Qualitative customer service.
