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
Gas Infrared Ovens: Boosting Oven Performance with IR Solutions :
The gas infrared boosting arches are placed at the entrance of existing ovens that do not fulfill factory performances in terms of output (increase in production, more massive parts, etc.) or quality (cold spots, non-compliant curves).
If the gas IR boosting ovens are generally added at the entrance to the oven, they can also be integrated into an air curtain space or even placed in a convective part.
CSI develops gas infrared arches on demand to improve any paint line after a detailed analysis of existing equipment. The objective is not to change the maximum of things but to put the right thing in the right place for the best performance.
The gas IR boost can be applied to a global surface as classic ovens or a specific point for precisely defined radiation.
Gas IR Power density is also adapted to the process. CSI gas infrared burners can provide power densities up to 250 kW/m² as well as much lower IR densities if the parts or products do not allow high temperature ramps.
Electric Infrared Ovens: Paint lines optimization by IR boosting :
Electrical IR boosting arches have most of the advantages of gas infrared ovens, but they also allow for a wider range of wavelengths, from long to short infrared, which cannot be achieved with gas technology.
The electric infrared arches are placed at the entrance of existing ovens that do not fulfill factory objectives in terms of throughput (increase in production, more massive parts, etc.) or paint quality (cold spots, dusts, non-compliant curves).
They can be added at the entrance to the oven, but also in the convective part.
As the infrared process is completely different between solvent, water-based or powder coating, CSI develops electric IR arches on demand to improve any paint line after a detailed analysis of existing equipment.
IR ventilation is independent from the oven air, avoiding perturbation between the existing oven and the new IR boost arch.
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.
On paint lines, the electric infrared boost oven can be applied to a global surface as classic ovens or a specific point for precisely defined radiation.
Infrared curing panels: Enhancing Existing Ovens with Modular IR Solutions :
CSI also develops compact systems that can be limited to one or a few infrared panels.
These IR panels can be used as an extra element to enhance existing ovens (increase speed, heat specific cold points, improving temperature curves). In that case, the infrared panels are generally placed in front of existing ovens.
The infrared panels can be used also as a stand-alone solution. Here, the IR modular panels are fixed in front of the parts to heat and can be integrated in a specific tunnel, an IR area or simply on foot. In that last case, it is possible to use filtered infrared emitters to avoid operators’ dazzling.
Like larger installations, IR panels can answer to a wide range of power densities over a wide range of wavelengths.
The IR panels are delivered with or without their electrical box/cabinet and process.
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.
