BlueWave® QX4® User Guide
7
two ways to protect operators from UV exposure: shield the operator and/or shield the
source.
Shield the Operator
UV-Blocking Eye Protection
—
UV-blocking eye protection is recommended when
operating UV light-curing systems. Both clear and tinted UV-blocking eye protection is
available from Dymax.
UV-Blocking Skin Protection
—
Opaque, UV-blocking clothing, gloves, and full-face
shields are recommended when skin may potentially be exposed to UV light.
Shield the Source of UV
Any substrate that blocks UV light can be used as a shield to protect workers. The
following materials can be used to create simple shielding structures:
Rigid Plastic Film
—
Transparent or translucent/UV-blocking plastics (typically
polycarbonate or acrylic) are commonly used to create shielding where some level of
transparency is also desired.
Flexible Film
—
Translucent UV-blocking, flexible urethane films can be used to
quickly create workstation shielding. This UV-blocking, flexible urethane film is available
from Dymax, call for assistance.
High-Temperature Surfaces
Surfaces exposed to high-intensity curing lights may rise in temperature. The intensity,
distance, exposure time, cooling fans, and composition of the surface can all affect the
rise in surface temperature. In some cases, exposed surfaces can reach temperatures
capable of producing a burn or causing damage to a substrate. In these cases, care must
be taken to ensure either a more moderate surface temperature or appropriate
protection/training for operators. No infrared radiation is produced by these LED
systems, so surface temperatures will be lower than with conventional lamp systems.
Empirical testing should be used to verify the exact temperature rise in each application.
Bright Visible Light
The bright visible light energy emitted by curing systems can cause eyestrain if proper
eye protection or shielding is not used. The use of tinted eye protection and/or opaque/
tinted shielding can be utilized to reduce eyestrain and address this concern.
