Digital, Inkjet Drying Process

Exergen Global: Application Note

General Information

For high speed graphic processes, the limiting factor on the productivity of the equipment is usually the drying/curing time. To maximize the speed without quality loss, it is important to be able to determine quickly when the substrate is sufficiently dry or cured.

For instance: the surface temperature of a “wet” substrate will change (rise) very slowly as constant heat is applied to the product. This occurs because the moisture in the substrate absorbs much of the heat energy as it evaporates. At the point that the substrate becomes ‘dry’, however, the same constant heat supply will quickly raise the temperature until it reaches the same as the surrounding air.

The Optimal Solution

Infrared temperature sensors will allow for fast measurement and no contact with the product.

With the response time of the lRt/c’s averaging around 100 milliseconds, you can quickly detect the exact temperature point and increase your production speed and yield.

For drying applications you can also find the ‘dry out’ point by installing an array of lRt/c’s, and with the side view mounted sensors you can reach hard to access areas on any web process.

Why Exergen IR Non-Contact Sensors?

• lRt/c’s are self powered and intrinsically safe
• Repeatability error of 0.01°C (0.02°F)
• Interchangeability error ± 1%
• Resolution of approx. 0.0001°C
• Side view sensors if the available space is limited
• All sensors are CE and RoHS rated

Commercial Advantages

• Increase production by increasing the drying speed
• Increase the quality of the end product
• Increase your yield
• Increase your profit