ABOUT PRIMARC™ LAMPS
SELECTING YOUR PRIMARC LAMP
LAMP OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
ABOUT PRIMARC LAMPS
What guarantee do I get with the lamp?
Primarc lamps are manufactured to high standards and will give at least 1000 hours of useful life under normal conditions, unless otherwise stated. In the unlikely event of failure after less than 100 hours, 100% credit will be given. If failure occurs between 100 hours and the guarantee period (usually 1000 hours), pro-rata credit will be given in relation to the shortfall from the guaranteed period at the time of failure. For example, a lamp with a normal guarantee period of 1000 hours, which fails after 500 hours, would result in 50% credit.
What is the lump of solder in my lamp?
What appears to be a lump of solder is actually mercury. In a mercury-vapor curing lamp, mercury is energized into plasma where it generates specific wavelengths of ultraviolet energy, which are used to initiate the polymerization of UV curable inks and coatings.
What is the lump of glass on the lamp tube?
What appears to be a lump of glass is actually a closed seal, commonly referred to as the "Pip" or "Fill Tip." This is the result of passing the lamp through a second pumping stage, which creates a cleaner operating environment within the lamp. The effect is a lamp that is more reliable and produces consistent performance.
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SELECTING YOUR PRIMARC LAMP
We have a lamp but we don't know what type, can Primarc supply it?
Primarc UV Technology manufactures lamps for all makes of dryer/curing systems. We can develop manufacturing specifications from an original operating sample and technical data that may be available.
We have a lamp that seems to be the same size as another. Will it work in another machine?
It depends. The length of a lamp is usually a result of the size of the media that is being printed or coated. However, each lamp is designed for the drying/curing system into which it is installed. Therefore, one lamp may not work for another because its electrical characteristics and termination features may differ from another lamp. Review your requirements with Primarc and we will help you determine the ability of a lamp to work in different machines.
Can Primarc make a higher power lamp than we already have and upgrade?
Power supplies and UV lamps are usually designed and matched to provide peak performance. The lamp is cooled in a specially designed lamp head, which should provide an appropriate cooled environment for reliable lamp operation. Usually, upgrading would require both the lamp and power supply to be replaced, and additional modifications to the lamp head to provide an appropriate environment. Please contact our Technical Department for advice.
Can we have a standard lamp with additive to enhance output?
Simply adding a metal halide to a lamp will not enhance output. The electrical system for this enhanced lamp must be matched to the lamp so that the proper amount of striking and operating voltage are available to get the halide into the plasma stream.
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LAMP OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
What are the recommended running temperatures for a UV curing lamp?
The area between the tips of the electrodes, within the main lamp body, should be maintained at an operating temperature of 600 - 800 degrees C. The area consisting of the metal foil and end fitting should be maintained at a temperature of less than 250 degrees C. If the lamp has an electrical lead-out wire, the wire must be maintained at a temperature of less than 200 degrees C.
What do I do if my lamp will not light or strike upon applying electricity?
- Confirm that all of the terminations are tight.
- Examine the lamp and confirm that the mercury is distributed between the electrodes. If the lamp was stored on end, it is possible that the mercury has deposited behind the electrode and will not enter the plasma stream. Simply shake the Lamp from end to end to remove the mercury from behind the electrodes.
- Try to strike the lamp again.
- Confirm that the power supplies are operating properly.
- Contact Primarc for additional instructions.
What if my media is not being cured effectively?
- Confirm that the dryer reflectors are focused properly and that they are clean.
- Check that the lamp is not covered by external contamination such as spray powder, reflector material or other contaminants.
- Confirm that all coating and ink material has been stirred to homogeneity before application so that all of the photoinitiator material is equally distributed.
- Verify the number of operating hours that the lamp has run. Different applications result in different lamp lifetimes. Lamps generally have an energy output of about 80% of their original specification after 1000 hours, provided that the lamp is operated in an appropriate environment. If the lamp has over 1000 hours of use, it may not generate enough ultraviolet energy for curing your application.
What do I do if the lamp is tripping out? (Arcing against the reflector, machine)
Many parts of your equipment may be electrically grounded, including the reflector. UV lamps usually operate at extremely high voltages and power. It is possible for damaged or overheating equipment to trip-out the electrical safety circuit. Because high voltages are present, please consult a qualified electrical engineer or equipment service technician for assistance. Or contact Primarc for advice.
What if my lamp is bowed or looks like a banana?
This condition is the result of improper cooling of the lamp. The lamp must be in a cooled and controlled environment where the surface temperature of the lamp body should be at a temperature of between 600 - 800 degrees C. If the air around the lamp is not conditioned properly, this temperature will rise causing the quartz tube to soften and lose its rigidity. Adjust the cooling and airflow around the lamp to reduce the temperature of the lamp body. However, ensure that the lamp body is not cooled below 600 degrees C, as below this temperature could lead to mercury condensing out of the plasma, which will effect lamp power and performance.
What if my lamp is discolored? Discoloration can occur for several reasons:
There is natural "blackening" of the quartz tube at each end during the life of the lamp. This is the result of the electrode material depositing on the inside of the tube during its use. Discoloration of the quartz will also occur over time due to natural solarization or "clouding" of the quartz. This occurs as the quartz reverts to its natural crystalline structure, which is opaque to ultraviolet energy. In addition, discoloration may also occur if the lamp is overcooled. This action results in mercury being deposited on the inside of the lamp giving a mirror-coated affect.
How do I properly dispose of a lamp since it contains mercury?
Enduser customers can return used lamps to Primarc, currently, at no additional cost to them other than the freight costs associated with shipping the lamps. Customers must mark the shipping carton “Lamps for Disposal” and use the following packaging guidelines.
- Ground Shipments – all lamps must be wrapped in bubble wrap and suspended in either packing peanuts or foam within a shipping box.
- Air Shipments – all lamps must be packaged and labelled according to Packing Instruction 805 of the Dangerous Good Regulations published by IATA.
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