Cleaning Dymax Lightguides for Proper UV Curing
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Transcript:
Liquid light guides deliver targeted, high-intensity UV light from a spot-curing lamp to cure adhesives and coatings. They help to deliver light to the appropriate spot of adhesive and are a critical component of the light curing process. Liquid light guide should be periodically cleaned to remove foreign material in deposition caused by outgassing. Cleaning them ensures that maximum UV light transmission is achieved.
A thin film of contamination can degrade the transmission of a light guide by over 50%. The black light could lead to the burning of the light guide optics. However, when the end of a light guide is inspected, foreign materials and deposits may not be visible. Users should employ a radiometer and light guide simulator to measure if a light guide has degraded, and radiometer measures the UV light emitted from a light guide and a light guide simulator.
The simulator is a precision optical tool that substitutes for the light guide to allow direct intensity readings from a light curing lamp. The best way to determine light guide degradation is by comparing the UV readings taken with the light guide simulator and comparing those readings with UV readings taken at the end of the light guide. If the UV readings taken at the end of the light guide are less than 80% of the values from a light guide simulator, the light guide may require cleaning if the light guide and needs cleaning.
Use tissue and solvent to remove contamination. Isopropyl alcohol is the recommended cleaning agent. Chlorine-based solutions can be exceptionally damaging to liquid light guides, and should not be used if the contamination is not removable with a solvent. Clean the surface with a razor blade. Take care not to chip the edge of the quartz glass window once the light guide is clean. Obtain a UV reading at the end of the light guide with a radiometer. An acceptable reading indicates that the cleaning was successful. If sufficient improvement is obtained, ensure that the light guide is fully seated and repeat the measurement.
