Thanks to a newly developed aLITE (advanced Light Initiated Thermal Emission) technology from adphos, the energy-efficient and completely CO2-free production of water-based decor on PVC films is now possible. The aLITE drying solution combines powerful photonic energy input with temperature-controlled impingement air to bring about local vapour absorption with defined moisture removal.
According to the manufacturer, this enables spontaneous drying with high register accuracy on temperature-sensitive film materials. In addition, production quality is maintained even during dynamic start-up and shut-down of 5-colour gravure printing systems. The aLITE-based decor printing system offers a convincing alternative for producing a wide range of decors on the market. According to adphos, the system works effectively and fully automatically with the AI-based, automated dryer performance controller aDC.
A further advantage of the new aLITE drying solution is the reduced dryer power requirement of only a fraction of that of today’s conventional convection dryers, and that with a total drying length of 1 metre at a production speed of up to 200 m/min. aLITE is coupled with low operating costs and low investment requirements as a result of the possible machine savings, as well as reduced building costs and infrastructure requirements.
It is also possible to retrofit existing decor rotogravure systems with aLITE with amortisation times of around 18 to 24 months. The use of aLITE technology in decor printing complements the wide range of application possibilities in various surface coating processes.
adphos
adphos was founded in 1996 as IndustrieSerVis GmbH and is now based in Bruckmühl, Upper Bavaria. adphos systems are suitable for increasing production and improving print images in digital printing, conventional printing and hybrid applications. The company also offers upgrades, retrofits or replacements for existing drying systems in subsidiaries and co-operation partners in Europe, the USA, Japan and other important industrial nations.
