Radiometer aids process control in broad spectrum

27th January 2017

Intertronics

Anna Flockett

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An essential tool for users of UV curing processes, the DYMAX ACCU-CAL 160 Radiometer from Intertronics, is especially useful where both validating and subsequent monitoring of the lamp output is vital to consistent production quality. It is designed to be used with both benchtop flood curing lamps and conveyorised systems, and comes in two versions for either broad spectrum or LED-based UV curing lamps.

The radiometer will help process and quality engineers understand the curing energy of their lamps, and to ensure that their emissions are maintained within the required parameters. This is vital to full and consistent curing of light curing materials such as adhesives, coatings, potting compounds, inks, etc.

The ACCU-CAL 160 simplifies cure process validation, and is recommended for checking curing lamps where bulbs will need replacing over time due to normal degradation. Suitable for outputs up to 10W/cm², it can be used to determine intensity (measured in mW/cm²) or total energy or dose as derived from intensity and exposure time (measured in mJ/cm²). It features an extended calibration cycle of 12 month intervals.

The ACCU-CAL 160 may also be used to measure the light transmission rates of various wavelengths through substrates that absorb UV and/or visible light. To assure an effective curing process it is critical to measure the light intensity reaching the bondline below the intervening substrate, so ensuring consistent production quality resulting in reduced scrap and increased output.

The unit is simple to operate and can be controlled manually via four buttons on the faceplate or by a USB remote interface. Measurement results are displayed on the integrated LCD display or transmitted by the USB remote interface to a computer.