UV Curing Meters
UV curing meters and spectroradiometers for UV curing intensity and dose measurements. A critical quality feature of UV curing processes and systems is the control of the UV dose within the wavelength range required of the particular photoinitiators with UV curing radiometers.
A critical quality feature of UV curing processes is the control of the UV dose within the wavelength range required of the particular photoinitiators used. See also our application note about general UV curing measurements. Dose is measured in J/cm² and is the product of UV intensity and time of exposure (W/cm² x seconds). UV intensity, also referred to as irradiance, is measured by UV radiometers in W/cm². Therefore, suitable UV radiometers permit the correct setting of irradiance levels and irradiation times as well as enabling periodic adjustments to compensate for the aging effects of the UV lamps and UV LEDs.
UV radiometers suitable for UV curing must meet important requirements as our RCH high temperature stable and flat design UV Curing Meter detector series:
- Flat design for measurements near the reference plane
- Sufficient measuring range for the very high irradiance in the UV curing processes
- UV radiation resistance for long-term stability
- Temperature resistance during the measurement
- Safe handling to protect the user from hazardous UV radiation
- Different spectral responsivities available in order to support different UV curing processes
- Cosine corrected response
- Devices for conveyor belt usage within the machine
- Traceable calibrations, ISO 17025 options
UV Curing Meters are available in two different technologies:
- UV Curing Radiometers are most suited for consistency measurements of the UV irradiance within a defined spectral range. They are inexpensive and very easy to use.
- UV Curing Spectroradiometers are used when different UV lamps or photoinitiators are in use. They are ideal for process development and manufacturing preparation.
Gigahertz-Optik developed a product range of temperature resistant, compact integral and spectral measuring UV curing-specific light measurement systems and meters. Some of them are designed for belt applications, for measuring the exposure of conveyor-fed UV curing process equipment. All are as mentioned temperature resistant, able to measure high-intensities typical in UV and blue light curing systems. We offer different entrance optic adapters and apertures needed for specific UV curing measurement tasks and all are robust and durable for field application.
Nowadays, due to the many different light sources, also the UV curing radiometer has to offer different calibrations for e.g. LEDs or classical light sources. We offer such standard calibrations as well as individual calibrations. Of course, these are traceable to NMI like NIST or PTB. Our high quality calibration and testing laboratory can also perform extensive ISO 17025 calibrations or tests.
See one of the most versatile and powerful ranges of UV curing measurement systems:
Radiometers for UV Curing (measuring the irradiance (mW/cm²) and dose (J/cm²) of mercury vapor lamps and Blue/UV LEDs)
| Model | Image | Spectral function | Wavelength range / nm | Entrance optic | Typ. Range Minimum SNR=50 100ms integration | Typ. Range Maximum | Remark | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| X1-1-RCH-116 |
|
LED λ's: 365, 375, 385, 395, 405 & 430 nm | 350 - 450 | Diffuser 9 mm Ø | 1 mW/cm² | 40 W/cm² | UV radiometer for routine measurements of high power UV LEDs. Multiple calibrations at LED wavelengths. Rigid light guide provides 25cm sensor to handle distance for operator safety. | |
| X1-1-RCH-108 |
|
Narrowband UV-A | 365 nm peak | Diffuser 9 mm Ø | 0.02 mW/cm² | 40 W/cm² | UV radiometer for routine measurements of UV-A narrow band (365nm) high power UV lamps. Rigid light guide provides 25cm sensor to handle distance for operator safety. | |
| RCH-xxx Series |
|
UV-A, UV-B and Blue light | 250 - 485 | Diffuser 9 mm Ø | < 1 mW/cm² | 40 W/cm² | Range of UV curing irradiance detectors for use with all common types of discharge lamps and UV LEDs covering UV-A, blue light and UV-B spectral ranges. E.g. for use with X1-1 handheld meter. | |
| Cure-Met |
|
UV-A lamps or UV-LEDs | UV-A lamps 328 - 382 UV-LEDs 350 - 460 | Diffuser | 1 mW/cm² | 10 W/cm² | UV Curing disc radiometer for high-power LED lamps or UVA sources. Suited for conveyor belt applications. |
Spectroradiometers for UV Curing
| Model | Image | Entrance Optic | Wavelength range /nm | Optical Bandwidth | Spectral responsivity min. | Spectral Responsivity Max. | Remark | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BTS256-UV-1 |
|
Diffuser 9 mm Ø on 25cm rigid guide | 225 - 525 | 2.8 nm | 0.01 W/ (m2 nm) | 1000 W/ (m2 nm) | Ultra-thin sensor (8mm) with 25cm rigid guide connection to spectroradiometer. Typical measurement times: 360 nm LED with 50 mW/cm² - 100 ms 460 nm LED with 50 mW/cm² - 45 ms | |
| BTS256-UV-2 |
|
Integrated Diffuser 10 mm Ø | 200 - 525 | 2.8 nm | 0.01 W / (m2 nm) | > 1000 W / (m2 nm) | Integrated sensor permits use on conveyor systems. 12mm device thickness. Typical measurement times: 360 nm LED with 50 mW/cm² - 65 ms 460 nm LED with 50 mW/cm² - 35 ms | |
| BTS256-UV-4 |
|
Diffuser 10 mm Ø | 225 - 525 | 2.8 nm | 0.01 W/ (m²nm) | > 1000 W/ (m²nm) | Sensor with flexible light guide to spectroradiometer. Typical measuring times: 360 nm LED with 50 mW/cm² - 100 ms 460 nm LED with 50 mW/cm² - 45 ms | |
| MSC15-W |
|
Radiant power from fibre optics | (360 - 830) nm | 10 nm | < 8 µW (typical blue LED) | 15 W (typical blue LED) | Light polymerization & light curing tasks (esp. dental) | |
| CSS-45-UV |
|
10 mm Ø Cosine diffuser f2 ≤ 1.5% | (200 - 440) nm | 5.5 nm | typ. 10E-4 W/(m²nm) | typ. 10E2 W/(m²nm) | Compact UV spectroradiometer in 37 mm detector housing. Can be combined with CSS-D display unit or direct PC remote control (USB). |