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Dymax Edge-Carry Conveyor User Guide
To learn about the safe handling and use of light-curable formulations, obtain and read the MSDS for each
product. Dymax includes an MSDS with each adhesive sold. In addition, fluid product MSDS can be requested
through the Dymax website.
Dymax UV Light-Curing System Safety Considerations
Dymax UV light-curing technology has been used successfully for over 30 years. The fast cure, one-component
nature of our UV light-curing technology has made it the process of choice for many manufacturers requiring a
"cure on demand" assembly process. Operators must understand these four concepts to use the UV light
source safely: UV exposure, high-temperature surfaces, ozone, and bright, visible light. Each is described
below.
UV Exposure
Standard Dymax UV light-curing systems have been designed primarily to emit UVA energy (Figure 1). UVA
energy is generally considered the safest of the three UV ranges: UVA, UVB, and UVC. Although OSHA does not
currently regulate UV light exposure in the workplace, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial
Hygienists (ACGIH) does recommend Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) for ultraviolet light.
The strictest interpretation of the
TLV (over the UVA range) for workers’ eyes and skin allows continuous
exposure up to 1 mW/cm
2
(intensity). Unless you are placing bare hands into the curing area, it is unusual to
exceed these limits. To put 1 mW/cm
2
limit into perspective, a cloudless summer day will typically exceed
3 mW/cm
2
of UVA light, and also include the more dangerous UVB light (primarily responsible for sun tans,
sun burns, and skin cancer) as well.
Figure 1. UV Spectrum
Checking the Workstation
The human eye cannot detect "pure" UV light, only visible light. A radiometer should be used to measure stray
UV light to confirm the safety of a UV light-curing process. A workstation that exposes an operator to more
than 1 mW/cm
2
of UVA continuously should be redesigned.
Protecting Operators
Light-curing technology can be a regulatory compliant, "worker-friendly" manufacturing process when the
proper safety equipment and operator training is utilized. There are two ways to protect operators from UV
exposure: shield the operator and/or shield the source.