Surface drying using UV curing saves energy

Paint coating or liquid coating technology, as it's increasingly being referred to, along with foil coating and direct printing, ranks among the most sophisticated surface treatment technologies available today. Depending on the application, the coating hardware on offer ranges from compact, stand-alone machines to fully automated, high-performance coating lines.

It is in this area that sophisticated radiation curing technology really comes into its own. Here, paint coats on furniture are hardened by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light or electron beams. For this reason, water soluble lacquers that are suitable for radiation curing are regarded as the way of the future for furniture paint coating lines. Not only are these lacquers largely organic-solvent free, they are also superior to conventional solutions in terms of end-product quality, cost, and environmental friendliness. Today, state-of-the-art point lines feature up to 90 percent lower emissions than their counterparts of only a few years ago. Paint consumption of modern lines has also been significantly reduced. For these reasons, investments in new liquid coating technology can be amortized within a year. 

Ultraviolet technology can drastically reduce energy and material costs. UV-curable lacquers consist of liquid compounds that transform almost immediately into a dry, solid paint coat when exposed to a high-energy source of UV radiation. The paint hardens in a very short space of time, depending on feed speed, the number and intensity of UV lamps as well the material substrate. The end result is a dry, firm paint film, comparable to ultra-thin synthetic foil. The short drying time produces an even, true-color finish, rendering subsequent powdering unnecessary. It also allows an immediate determination of end-product quality since there are no further changes due to drying. UV-curable paints are solvent free, eliminating the toxic fumes produced by conventional drying processes. Because the coated components are already totally dry, processing can continue without interruption, significantly boosting productivity. 

Surface treatment technology for the wood processing and furniture industries will feature heavily, both in the furniture and Wood Crafts ("Handwerk, Holz & mehr") display categories. The 'Wooden Surface Solutions' special presentation will showcase the latest surface treatment technologies from all the major plant and machinery suppliers in the sector as well as disseminate information on future trends and developments.