by Andrew Stecher and Paul Mills, Plasmatreat US UV-cured coatings provide a number of benefits to plastic part manufacturers, including improved performance, enhanced appearance and various process advantages. However, the same densely cross-linked chemistry and rapid film formation that provide these benefits also increase the likelihood of encountering adhesion … [Read more...] about Improving the Adhesion of UV-Curable Coatings to Plastics
UV Curing
UV Technology for In-Mold Labeling
by Ron Schultz, In-Mold Decorating Association UV-cured inks and coatings have become an important part of the production of in-mold labels for packaging (IML) and in-mold decoration of durable products (IMD). For 2013, 25 percent of in-mold labels in North America and 20 percent of those produced in Europe were printed with UV-cured inks. This is especially true for … [Read more...] about UV Technology for In-Mold Labeling
Tech Watch: Innovative Digital Systems’ Mach1 Digital System
by Brittany Willes, Plastics Decorating Innovative Digital Systems, a worldwide provider of custom digital printing integration systems with headquarters in Indian Trail, North Carolina, is providing customers with the ability to customize their printing experience by introducing the Mach1 digital printing system. A high-speed LED or UV modular printing system, the … [Read more...] about Tech Watch: Innovative Digital Systems’ Mach1 Digital System
Q&A: UV Inkjet vs. Traditional Analog Methods of Decorating
by Tim Scully, Engineered Printing Solutions When comparing the differences between traditional printing methods – such as pad and screen printing – and digital inkjet printing, we like to use the analogy of comparing a 1969 Camaro to a 2014 Tesla. They're both cars, and they can both get you where you are going, but the methods of how they work and the cost of operation are … [Read more...] about Q&A: UV Inkjet vs. Traditional Analog Methods of Decorating
Functional and Design Opportunities Using Physical Vapor Deposition and UV-Curable Coatings
by Jason T. Eich, Eileen Weber, Phil Abell, Kristy Wagner and Chris Mack, Red Spot Paint and Varnish Company Interest in alternatives to electroplated chrome is expanding dramatically. Color and appearance effects are limited with traditional chrome electroplating, and successful "paint-on-chrome" applications are expensive and highly proprietary. Collectively, the … [Read more...] about Functional and Design Opportunities Using Physical Vapor Deposition and UV-Curable Coatings