総説 特集「SDGsと印刷」
印刷用UV光源のLED化技術
2020 年 57 巻 2 号 p. 73-77
詳細
2020 年 57 巻 2 号 p. 73-77
UV printing has been used in Japan since the 1970s owing to its high productivity and added value. UV Printing uses high-pressure mercury lamps and metal halide lamps (hereafter, UV lamps) as light sources. However, as UV lamps have a higher energy demand, they are being replaced in various printing fields by UV LED light units in recent years, as these are effective in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper first compares the features of UV LED light units with that of UV lamps. Then, it discusses the specifications of UV LED light units for each printing method, and the higher output of UV LED chips, which is the main component of UV LED light units. Finally, it presents a new technology that allows LED to be used as a UV light source in printing, specifically, a heat dissipation design technology that suppresses the inhibiting action during the curing process by purging nitrogen. These technologies are expected to be of practical use, especially from the viewpoint of energy conservation.
