UK converter Aztec Label has invested in a second Benford LED UV curing system at its West Midlands headquarters to further reduce power consumption, following the successful installation of its first LED UV system on a 2-color press last year. The company plans to transition its entire facility to the technology by the end of the year.
Managing director Colin Le Gresley said: ‘Sustainability is truly becoming a key differentiator for businesses and a core demand from end customers. We were quick to identify the importance of investing in the sustainability ethos a few years ago, installing 360 solar panels to generate electricity to power our facility and striving to increase efficiencies to drive down waste. The Benford system we installed in 2021 has already proven its performance excellence and helps the business reinforce our impressive sustainability credentials.’
Le Gresley said that in terms of quality, the new Benford eco-LED UV machine delivers high value printing effects and sharp colors, for consistent print quality with no marking. ‘From a sustainability perspective, it consumes significantly less energy, more than 60 percent less than conventional UV drying. Coupled with the instant on-off, long life diodes and low heat emissions, it delivers the high performance levels our customers have come to expect while perfectly complementing our sustainability goals.’
LED UV printing technology enables ink to dry instantly. The LED UV lamps can be switched on and off instantly as no cooling times are required and are made of LED UV diodes with an expected use life of 10-15,000 hours.
Le Gresley added that customers need right-first-time production at best-in-class standards. This demand drove the converter to invest in the curing system.
‘Since the first Benford system was installed, we’ve been impressed with the simplicity and safety of the design and the performance results we’ve seen. The decision to install this second, larger system, was an easy one.’
Marc Boden, founder of Benford UV, said he was thrilled that Le Gresley and the team at Aztec Label had recognized the improved quality and sustainability performance that the LED UV system delivered.
‘Our specially designed LED UV lights dry inks and coatings instantly. Unlike conventional printing, LED UV also enables printers to print directly onto non-absorbent materials like plastics and the technology can be used in different industrial applications as it allows drying of materials like silicones, adhesives and resins in a fraction of a second.
‘Our own commitment to sustainability means that we produce machines that significantly reduce energy consumption while delivering consistent, quality products to eliminate waste wherever possible. All the parts are British made, apart from the chips that are manufactured in the Far East, further adding to our sustainability credentials. We’re delighted that the success of the first system at Aztec Label has led to this latest installation, and we look forward to working with Colin again as he continues the move to using LED UV dryers across his site,’ Boden concluded.
