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LATE BREAKING NEWS

In late March the organiz-ing committee of the 12th

International Conference on Radiation Curing in Asia

(RadTech Asia 2009) formally announced their decision to postpone their conference from 2009 to 2010 stating,

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Photopolymerization Fundamentals 2009 Conference

RadTech, the Association for UV & EB Curing Technology, proudly announces its partnership with Photopolymerizations IUCRC and the University of Colorado to present Photopolymerization Fundamentals 2009 taking place June 21-24, 2009 in Breckenridge, Colorado.

This four-day conference, focusing on photopoly-merization will feature hot topics such as Biomaterials,

Hydrogels, Thiol-Ene polym-erizations , and other novel concepts and emerging appli-cations. “The meeting brings together international leaders from industry and academia to present and discuss the basic fundamentals of pho-topolymerization reactions as well as the most excit-ing future directions of this technology,” says conference chairman, Chris Bowman, PhD. For more information on this conference, please visit: http://radtech.org/pfconference2009/index.htm

Look for Fusion UV speaking and/or exhibiting at the following events.

2009 May 21-22 International Metal Decorators Association Chicago, IL

June 2-4 Coatings for Plastics Symposium Lombard, IL

18 Fusion UV Technical Training - LH6-LH10 Gaithersburg, MD

22-24 ANTEC Chicago, IL

August 20 Fusion UV Technical Training - F600S-VPS/I600/I250 Gaithersburg, MD

Sept 30-1 Sartomer Formulators Seminar I Exton, PA

October 14-15 RadTech Europe Conference Nice, France

22 Fusion UV Technical Training - F300S-F450T Gaithersburg, MD

November 8-11 IWCS Charlotte, NC

December 3 Fusion UV Technical Training - LH6-LH10 Gaithersburg, MD

RadTech Europe and Japan Conference Changes Reflect Current Economy

“given the current economic situation in Japan and the rest of the world, RadTech Asia 2009 should be postponed for about one year because it is inevitable that, if it is held in November 2009 as scheduled, the number of participants from Japan and abroad will fall short of the goal, and the Organizing Committee will suffer a substantial loss in the finances of the conference.” The Organizing Committee expects to announce the new conference dates by June 2009.

As a result of the current worldwide economic

situation, organizers of the RadTech Europe 2009 Conference & Exhibition moved to shorten the event, which takes place in Nice, France in October. “In critical times with difficult cut-back decisions, resources must be invested with the most cost-effective and valuable options,” stated the formal announcement. The RadTech Europe Association and Vincentz Network jointly decided to condense the

up-coming conference to two days to save travel time and costs for exhibitors and attendees. The new event dates are Wednesday, 14th - Thursday, 15th October, 2009. As a result of shortening the duration of the event, organizers lowered both the exhibition and the conference fees. Meeting under the theme “UV/ EB - Sustainable Technology”, more than 600 visitors and conference delegates from Europe and beyond are expected.

Visit http://www.european-coatings.com/radtech/index.cfm for more details and to register.

Late Breaking Newspage 4

Dr. Decker to Receive Chemical Society Award page 2

Globally Speaking page 2

Rastal Produces 10-millionth Drinking Glass page 2

by Susan Mitchell

Nearly everyone is familiar with ultrasound, defined as sound vibrations greater than 20,000 Hz, which is beyond the upper limit of human hearing. We’ve seen it used as a medical diagnostic tool, for jewelry cleaning, by bats to locate prey, or for welding plastic parts. But what does ultrasound have to do with UV curing technology? To answer that question look to Ultrasonic Systems, Inc., a family-owned company headquartered outside Boston, MA.

Since 1989 Ultrasonic Systems, Inc. (USI) has

UV in the Newspage 3

need for masking and significantly reduces overspray and coating defects such as bubbles and pin holes.

Complete UV Coating and Curing

With the increasing use of UV-curable coatings for these applications, USI saw the opportunity to combine the two technologies into a complete coating and curing system. Their Ultra-Cure™ UV curing module offers reliable and fast top side curing of UV curable conformal coatings, and other UV curable materials. It can be easily integrated with any conveyorized USI PRISM Ultra-Coat™ coating system.

“Our customers were often using UV-curable coatings and had some difficulty finding a way to integrate the coating and curing. We were able to design a modular

UV curing system featuring an edge carrying, pin chain conveyor and SMEMA capability that integrates easily to the Prism Ultra-Coat systems for a turnkey solution,” commented Mr. Larry Sirois, USI Applications Engineer.

Coating Parameters

USI’s Prism coating systems are controlled by a Windows XP based operating system utilizing an integrated PCI motion controller. A graphical user interface (GUI) is used to set all operating parameters and create process programs. Coatings

manufactured a variety of coating application equipment based on their patented “nozzle-less” Ultra-Spray® ultrasonic technology. This superior alternative to conventional air-atomizing spray nozzle, film coating and dispensing technology offers particular advantages for applications such as conformal coating for electronic assembly, semiconductors, fuel cells, medical coating and solar cells. Because ultrasonic spray can apply a coating more precisely, uniformly, and thinner than more traditional coating methods, it virtually eliminates the

Ultrasonic Meets UV Curing TechnologyA Nonconformist Solution for Conformal Coating

Summer 2009

How it Works

Ultra-Spray ultrasonic technology has three components: an ultrasonic transducer with a spray forming head, an ultrasonic generator and an independent fluid applicator.

Ultrasonic Transducer with Spray Forming Head

The ultrasonic transducer operates at a fixed frequency and produces vibrations with maximum amplitude at the tip of the spray forming head. The transducer converts electrical energy to mechanical energy at the operating frequency of the spray head. The body of the spray forming head is shaped to concentrate the ultrasonic vibrations at the tip.

Ultrasonic Generator

The ultrasonic generator provides the electrical energy to the ultrasonic transducer. The amplitude of this sinusoidal voltage is adjustable so that the amplitude of the vibrating tip can be optimized for the liquid being sprayed. A microprocessor monitors these dynamic conditions and adjusts the generator to maintain optimum transducer operation.

Fluid Applicator

The fluid applicator delivers liquid to the atomizing tip and directs airflow to shape and add momentum to the ultrasonically produced spray. The fluid applicator is comprised of a liquid applicator and an air detector. In this case the liquid and air delivery components are integrated into a single applicator called the Integrated Liquid Deliver System (ILDS).

The liquid applicator supplies liquid to the atomizing tip in an even flow to match the width of the spray forming head. The output surface of the liquid applicator is positioned adjacent to the spray-forming tip so that the liquid flows easily onto the atomizing tip. At that point the liquid forms a film over the tip area and is dispersed into micro drops by the ultrasonic energy. The ultrasonic energy propels the spray from the atomizing tip.

The air director is used to shape and accelerate the ultrasonically produced spray. The air director can be configured either to focus or expand the spray pattern width to spray in a narrow mode or wide mode.

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GLOBALLY SPEAKING

RASTAL Produces 10-millionth Drinking Glass with UV Ink

Fusion UV supported hands-on seminars hosted by Cytec Industries Inc. as part of their new UV PSA product launch. Cytec Industries Inc. launched their new GELVA

Multipolymer Radiation (GMR) 8020-02 UV-curable PSA in Europe in April following their USA launch in December.

This new UV PSA is designed to meet the industry’s growing need for a UV-curable PSA with exceptional adhesive characteristics to both low and high-energy surfaces. Targeted usage for this 100% solids UV-curable PSA includes high performance industrial tapes, automotive instrument panel and membrane switch assemblies, nameplates, low and high surface energy materials and foam tapes. Cytec’s goal in creating this low VOC formulation is to enable tape manufacturers to be competitive in markets where solvent-based PSA products are not practical.

Unlike existing UV products, GMR 8020-02 offers an excellent peel - shear balance in comparison to other adhesive technologies. It’s designed to require less energy consumption during the curing process, and provides a wide cure window to enhance product application for thick depositions, even on high-speed lines. Cytec’s VP of Pressure Sensitive Adhesives and Specialty Additives, Michael Radossich, indicates GMR 8020-02 is the first of many 100% solid UV-curable ultra-high performance PSAs. “GMR 8020-02 represents the culmination of a comprehensive internal development effort. We believe it’s just the product the European market has been hoping for. That’s why we are planning to expand this technology stream to cover an even wider application spectrum,” Radossich explains.

The European launch event was held at Polytype Converting in Fribourg, Switzerland. Dawn Skinner, Fusion UV’s Process Development Manager, Europe, spoke during the day-long seminar which also included presentations on the pressure sensitive adhesive market, economics of UV PSAs, industrial applications, and an environmental, health and safety overview. Then participants watched live coating and curing demonstrations followed by lab testing of samples. The Polytype line has two rows, each with four Fusion UV VPS/I600 curing systems.

Fusion UV also supported the USA launch event held at Chemsultants International’s facility in Mentor, OH. Fusion UV worked with Cytec

and Chemsultants to install three rows, each with two F600S curing systems to cure the new hot melt adhesive during live demonstrations. Chemsultants International’s ChemInstruments division manufactures a full line of PSA testing equipment. This enabled participants to test the cured samples onsite.

For more information about Cytec’s new UV-curable PSA, including a video from the USA seminar and trials, visit http://cytec.com/specialty-chemicals/psa-uv-curable.htm.

Fusion UV Supports Cytec’s UV PSA Launch in Europe

The Officers and the Award Committee of the Division of Polymeric Materials: Science

and Engineering (PMSE) of the American Chemical Society have announced that Dr. Christian Decker, Director of Research at the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in Strasbourg, France will receive the Roy W. Tess Award in Coatings for 2009. Dr. Decker is recognized as one of the world’s leading experts

Dr. Decker to Receive Prestigious Award from American Chemical Society

By Petra Burger, Fusion UV Systems GmbH

Like many other industries, the glass printing industry

also takes advantage of UV curing. Glass decorators admire the UV technology because it offers advantages in color scheme as well as production efficiencies compared to conventional ceramic inks. UV-curable screen-printing inks offer a wide spectrum of colors, are environmentally friendly since they do not contain any heavy metals, and require less energy and floor space compared to heat-curable ceramic inks.

RASTAL GmbH & Co. KG uses these advantages and presented the production of the “10-millionth UV-Glass“ at GlassTec 2008 and BRAU Beviale 2008. The UV-curable screen-printing inks Ultraglass UVGO® and UVGL® from Marabu GmbH & Co. KG are printed on drinking glasses with a fully automated, 6-color screen-printing line from Kammann GmbH & Co. KG. The Light Hammer® 10 UV curing system from Fusion UV Systems cures each color directly after the printing station. The UV lamp has a maximum power input of 240 W/cm with a variable power supply. Thanks to the elliptical reflector incorporated into the irradiator, the UV energy is focused to extreme high peak irradiance onto the inks. This peak irradiance provides efficient curing of pigmented systems or thick layers.

The interaction of ink chemistry and UV lamp assures the excellent UV ink properties of 500 washing cycles in a household

in the area of radiation-induced reactions in polymeric materials. His main research interests are in ultrafast light-induced polymerizations, the synthesis and characterization of UV-cured coatings and nanocomposite materials, photostabilization of polymers, and laser-assisted chemical processing of polymers. He has contributed over 300 publications, patents and book chapters to the coatings and scientific literature as well as given more than 300 lectures at scientific meetings. Dr. Decker will receive the award on August 17, 2009 during the 238th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in

Washington, D.C. The purpose of the annual award is to encourage interest and progress in coatings science technology and engineering and to recognize significant contributions to the field. Fusion UV congratulates Dr. Decker and his significant contributions to the UV industry.

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UV IN THE NEWS

TECH NOTES

We know these are challenging times,

so here’s something you can do to reduce costs without sacrificing quality or production schedules. Fusion UV now offers Preventive Maintenance Kits to provide you with all of the spare parts to properly maintain your Fusion UV lamp units and deliver significant savings.

Two kits are available:

• “Basic” - consists of a Bulb, Reflector and an RF Screen and is intended for replacement of the main lamp cavity components.

• “Deluxe” - consists of a Bulb, Reflector, RF Screen,

Magnetrons, Photocell and Pressure Switch and is intended for those who want to completely rebuild the lamp unit.

These Preventive Maintenance Kits are priced 10% below the price of the individual parts!

You can save an additional 2.5% on this order and all future parts by placing your order via Fusion UV’s Web Store.

Contact Sales Support at 301-527-2660 x8600, sales_support@fusionuv.com for more details and to register for the Web Store.

Master Bond recently introduced a clear UV-curable epoxy for bonding and potting optical components.

Master Bond EP29LP is a multi-purpose, two-part optical epoxy featuring qualities essential for large casting and potting applications. It has an unusually low viscosity of 700-800 cps and an exceptionally low exotherm to a peak of 49°C. This clear adhesive adheres well to optical fibers, optical connectors, lenses and glass and forms high strength bonds of more than 3500 psi in shear. It exhibits good optical transmission that is superb for potting and bonding optical devices. The adhesive has a temperature range of 50°C to 120°C. Other noteworthy features include good electrical insulating properties and for an encapsulant used in electro-optics, adequate thermal conductivity. It has a good chemical resistance to water, fuels, acids, bases and salts. Learn more about Master Bond’s optical adhesives at http://www.masterbond.com/lp/tabs/tp_ind_optical.html

Save 10% or More with Fusion UV Parts Kits

UV Cure Clear Adhesive Makes Casting & Bonding of Optical Devices Easy

Fusion UV’s Light Hammer® 10 UV lamp on the screen-printing machine K13-G from Kammann GmbH & Co. KG

can be applied as thin as 1 micron or less and greater than 50 microns. The pattern width is programmable from 5 mm up to 150 mm, depending on the specific coating material and spray head selected. If desired, only selected areas of the substrate can be coated or an entire substrate up to 460 mm x 400 mm. The system requires very little floor space, only 1 m x 1.3 m.

Modular Design

The Ultra-Cure System utilizes a modular design to deliver consistent UV curing of various width substrates

Continued from p1

dishwasher and scratch resistance of 7-9 N/m (with Erichsen). The UVGL screen-printing ink achieves these brilliant properties only through UV-curing. No post curing is needed.

The process

• is energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

• maintains the stability of the glass as the process does not require high heat curing temperatures of 600°C.

• does not use any heavy metals like lead or cadmium.

• enables new design possibilities thanks to the 4-colour halftone printing in CMYK and the use of gold and silver imitations and effect colors.

RASTAL GmbH & Co. KG has delivered many customer projects with this new

technology. Stefan Sahm-Rastal, Managing Director at RASTAL, described his impressions during GlassTec 2008 and BRAU Beviale 2008: “Exact color printing up to photo realistic images

– with pinpoint accuracy in the desired color, and environmentally friendly – the visitors were enthusiastic.”

”Anyhow it was not easy to change from ceramic inks to UV-curable systems,” commented Wolfgang Heinz, Head of Production at RASTAL in Höhr-Grenzhausen, looking back with pleasure on the two years of development for the new machines. “Of course, then, as the inks and hardening [curing] technique were put to the test, the production lines which could process the appropriate glasses in series had to be first constructed. In doing so, before we were ready to

up to 18” (457 mm). It can accommodate up to three 6” (152 mm) Fusion UV Systems F300 SQ lamps. The lamps can use different bulbs to deliver the best wavelength for the coating being cured. They can also start and restart rapidly for intermittent curing applications without the need for a shutter mechanism. The module uses a PLC based control system with an operator interface terminal (OIT) for setup and alerting.

Flexibility in a Small Space

When integrated into a complete coating and curing system, the Prism and Ultra-Cure can run up to 4.0 m/minute and a single control panel provides easy operation. The Ultra Cure UV Module uses a PLC based control system with an operator interface

for setup and alerting. The conveyor system utilizes an edge carrying stainless steel pin chain with hand-crank width adjustment and is fully SMEMA compatible. And the system set-up is very flexible for manufacturers who run a variety of substrates and coatings or who want to expand as the need arises. The combined system only requires about 4.2 m2 of floor space, much less space than the typical “spray booths” that are used when manually applying conformal coatings. Additionally, the time intensive and costly process of manually masking and demasking circuit boards is eliminated with an automated machine that offers true precision selective coating technology. For more information visit www.ultraspray.com.

Photos: RASTAL GmbH & Co. KG.

CAT ILDS Head coating a 150mm wafer.

start production, we needed a large number of test runs before the thickness of the color film, the hardness [curing] parameters, the right fabric etcetera were coordinated and transferred from laboratory conditions to production. But now we are more than satisfied with the quality of the results. We are flexible in production and the results are also impressive due to their quality!”

Fusion UV Systems plays an important role in the process partnership as a UV lamp supplier. Within our worldwide process development group we support our customers from chemistry suppliers to machine builders to end customers with process development in the lab to production line trials and extensive training courses.