Many adhesive users are hesitant to use UV-cure adhesives due to the requirement to invest in a UV lamp. The expenditure can be off-putting – particularly if the assembly is still in the prototype stage.
UV lamps can be bought for only a few dollars all the way up to several thousand dollars and needn’t be purpose built for curing UV adhesives – we have seen customers using nail polish lamps and tanning beds for curing adhesives!
It is important to remember with all lamps, bulb life is limited – even if the lamp still appears to be working, the spectral output declines over time (so adhesive may take longer and longer to cure). LED lamps have a much longer lifespan and don’t tend to suffer the drop off that other bulbs do.
Here are some lamp suggestions:
3 WATT UV LED TORCH
Price: <$10
Performance: Extended cure time will be required due to low output.
Suitable for: Very small one-off applications, prototypes and jobs where there is no power supply.
May struggle to cure through UV stabilised or coloured plastics.
BATTERY POWERED MONEY CHECKER
Price: <$10
Performance: Extended cure time will be required due to low output.
Suitable for: One-off applications, prototypes and jobs where there is no power supply.
May struggle to cure through UV stabilised or coloured plastics.
UV NAIL POLISH LAMP
Price: <$30
Performance: Fairly fast cure
Suitable for: Small applications or a low volume production line (such as jewellery)
May struggle to cure through UV stabilised or coloured plastics.
26 WATT FLOODLAMP
Price: <$200
Performance: Fast cure
Suitable for: Large assemblies such as glass bevels, glass furniture etc.
Can be mounted on a stand / used on a production line.
250 WATT FLOODLAMP
Price: <$1500
Performance: Fast cure
Suitable for: Large assemblies such as glass bevels, glass furniture etc.
Mountable above a conveyor on a high speed production line.
LED SPOT CURING LAMP WITH LIGHT GUIDES
Price: >$5000
Performance: Ultra-fast cure (i.e. fractions of a second!)
Suitable for: Small assemblies such as electronics and disposable medical devices
Can be set up with multiple light guides for increased production capacity without having to purchase new power pack and control unit.
These examples are for general guidance, to check suitability of substrates with UV adhesive and UV lamps, please contact Permabond for further advice.
