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US 8,573,766 B2Granted
Distributed light sources and systems for photo-reactive curing
AssigneeLumen Dynamics Group Inc.
InventorsGuomao Yang, Sheng Peng
Life of this patent
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AssigneeLumen Dynamics Group Inc.
InventorsGuomao Yang, Sheng Peng
Estimating the term…
A light source for a photo-reactive curing apparatus is provided, which includes a plurality of light source elements or modules, such as, UV or visible LEDs or LED arrays, arranged to provide a beam profile comprising irradiation zones separated by a dark zone. Photo-polymerization occurs during periods of irradiation and dark polymerization occurs during dark intervals between irradiation. The relative positioning or spacing of light source elements or modules is set to provide an exposure profile with a dark interval which matches the required dark reaction interval for optimal curing efficiency. In modular or adjustable light sources, the spacing is adjustable dependent on process parameters. For processes such as inkjet printing, the beam profile may be better matched to the ink chemistry, so as to control the polymerization reaction to meet a required process speed for single pass or multiple pass applications.
A light source (20,30) for a photo-reactive curing apparatus (1) wherein there is relative motion of the light source and photosensitive material or a substrate or layer comprising photosensitive material (102) to be cured at a predetermined scan speed (v), the light source (20,30) comprising a plurality of light source elements (220,320) wherein the relative spacing (Sn,m) of the light source elements (220,320) provides a beam profile in a direction (W) of said relative motion of the light source and the substrate comprising at least a first irradiation zone (50) and a second irradiation zone (50) separated by a dark zone (60).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.