Powerful portable UV LED system for busy bodyshops

17th May 2021

Alex Lynn

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Repair garages and bodyshops, as well as automotive suppliers and manufacturers, can benefit from the flexibility and rapid curing made possible by a new portable device from UV LED specialist Integration Technology. With an output of 500 mW/cm², the new AC-500 UV system is the highest power battery-operated device on the market and offers a faster and safer instant curing process across a greater area.

Holding the unit 15cm away from the surface enables operators to cure an area of 500cm² in a fraction of the time offered by legacy infra-red heat lamp solutions. Paints, fillers, adhesives and topcoats on plastic, metal and glass substrates can be cured in as little as ten seconds.

Weighing just 1.87kg and equipped with an ergonomic handle to assist operators, the new-for-2021 AC-500 is cable free and simple to operate. It enables auto workshops, body refinishing centres and paint lines to save both time and space by streamlining processes, increasing productivity and reducing the required number of paint booths, resulting in gross profit increases when compared to legacy technology.

“Building on the success of our proven AC-850 mains-powered UV LED curing system, the AC-500 adds flexibility to the performance and safety benefits we already provide users across North America and Europe,” said Integration Technology’s Managing Director, Simon Roberts. “From ‘smart repair’ operators through to larger bodyshops, a portable, handheld solution offers cost savings at a time when insurers are squeezing margins.”

With 20 years’ experience of UV LED technology, Integration Technology has ensured the AC-500 offers excellent and consistent panel coverage. At a distance of 15cm, the AC-500 will cure a vast surface area of 500cm². The AC range of products feature XT8 LED technology that produces the same extremely high UV output but with lower power usage, providing a 30% efficiency boost and extended service life. And unlike UV lamp technology, Integration Technology’s UV LED technology produces no harmful Ozone and heat is minimised, making it safer to use and less likely to damage heat sensitive parts such as carbon composites and additive manufacturing materials.

The AC-500 comes with a storage case, safety goggles, charger and twin removable DeWalt 1.5 Ah batteries for 20-minute continuous run time. Larger commercially available batteries enable longer continuous running for higher volume applications.

Beyond automotive repair and paint shops, Integration Technology believes the AC-500 is ideally suited to other sectors with delicate repair, rectification and specialist curing processes.

“Our system could be used to improve boat hull, wind turbine and musical instrument repair times and consistency,” added Roberts. “It’s also suitable for additive manufacturing processing, activating reactive compounds on electrical / electronic components, as well as the production and repair of plastic parts with UV curable resins. Our UV LED innovation is a game-changer and we welcome the opportunity to transfer this technology to new markets and establish distribution channels with new partners.”

The Integration Technology AC-500 is available now, RRP £2,195 GBP.