Cure-Met

Conveyor Belt Type UV Radiometers

UV curing is a process in which photocurable chemicals applied to substrates are irradiated with high energy UV LED, traditional UV arc or blue light sources. This energy accelerates polymerization (cross-linking) and consequently the hardening or drying (curing) process. The irradiating energy must be controlled and monitored since too low a dose will not cure the product, whereas too high a dose may damage the surface layer. 

In this industry conveyor belt systems are commonly employed with the product traveling at a set speed through the UV curing station(s). The belt speed is determined to ensure the required UV dose is delivered. One downside to this system is that irradiance intensity profiles are produced due to LED, UV or blue light source spacing along the belt.

Low profile UV radiometers that can travel down the production line under or through UV curing stations are an important quality control tool. They provide real time measurement of UV curing irradiance and dose ensuring fully cured product repeatedly. One critical design element of the UV disc meter is its ability to withstand high temperatures and intense UV radiation while maintaining stability between recalibrations.

For more information see our application page about accurate UV Curing and Blue Light Curing Measurements.

Cure-Met UV Curing Meter for Use on Conveyor Belt Systems

The Cure-Met UV radiometer is designed to handle the high temperature and intense UV or blue light levels normally found in UV curing processes.

It even monitors its internal temperature, which is also displayed, and corrects its reading to compensate for any temperature coefficient differences. A key feature not found in competitive products.

Irradiance profiling is possible with its internal datalogger and graphical display mode.

A reference measurement can be set enabling the percent difference between subsequent test measurements and the reference to be displayed.

All measurement data can be exported to a PC via the device USB port and supplied user software. The Cure-Met is also recharged when connected to the USB port.

For precise UV curing measurements of LED light sources or other UV and blue light sources, calibration entries for key LED wavelengths are stored in the instrument for user selection to obtain the lowest possible measurement uncertainty. Two version are available:

• Cure-Met-LED for LED-based curing 330 nm to 480 nm;
• Cure-Met-LED-V01 for LED-based curing 350 nm to 460 nm;
• Cure-Met-UVA for discharge lamp-based curing 328 nm to 382 nm.

The UV curing meter field of view is cosine corrected as required for accurate irradiance and dose radiometry.

For UV spectral irradiance measurements the UV Spectroradiometer BTS256-UV is available providing irradiance vs. wavelength data for any type UV or blue light source under test.

UV Curing Meter Calibration

All applicable Gigahertz-Optik instrumentation is calibrated and certified to internationally traceable standards following ISO 17025 guidelines and requirements. Gigahertz-Optik optical radiation calibration laboratory is DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 accredited (DaKKs Registration No. D-K-15047-01-00).

The Cure-Met UV Curing Radiometer is calibrated at key LED wavelengths used in the curing process. The end-user can simply select the LED wavelength of interest for best measurement accuracy.