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UV Ink Site Considerations

Code: UV008 | Revision: 8 | Publish Date: 3 December 2020

Light

  • UV light triggers the curing process in UV inks which could lead to print head failures.

Windows & Doors

  • Ensure there is no sunlight entering through windows and doors onto the machine.
  • Ensure there is no sunlight reflected from any surfaces, including the floor, onto the machine.

Electrical Lights (LED & Fluorescent)

  • Ensure light does not shine or reflect onto the print heads and faceplates.
  • Ensure machine covers and doors are closed.
  • When the carriage is in park position, ensure the print heads are lowered; do not ever leave in the upper position on standby.
  • Where possible, use lights in the 2700–3500 K range; other ranges emit higher UV and can cause unwanted curing or reactions during ink handling, maintenance, or stray exposure.

Environmental

  • Maintain room temperature between 18 °C and 27 °C.
  • Control humidity between 50 %RH and 80 %RH to prevent static on substrates.
  • Position air conditioning to avoid airflow directly onto the print bed or print-head faceplates.
  • If using a humidifier, ensure it’s non-condensing and does not blow moisture onto the machine.

Ventilation

  • Consult the product SDS, Section 8: Exposure Control, for specific exposure limits.
  • Provide ventilation to keep airborne ink and solvent concentrations below SDS control parameters.
  • Design airflow so that it always moves away from the machine, avoiding dead zones.
  • Aim for 5–10 air changes per hour, adjusted for print mode and image density.

Chemical Contaminants

  • Avoid airborne chemical mists (e.g., acid-based glass cleaners) that can deposit on print heads.
  • Use correct substrate prep fluid—recommend IPA at ≥ 97 % purity.
  • Use NUtec’s matched cleaning solution (CMF) around print heads; do not wipe the nozzle area with flush.
  • Verify compatibility of any cleaning solution used for general machine cleaning.

Dust Particles

  • Keep the print room as dust-free as possible to prevent settling on machine parts and substrates.
  • Prevent dust ingress through ventilation, windows, or doors.
  • Regularly clean any accumulated dust on print-head faceplates to avoid defects and extra maintenance.

Substrate

  • Do not print on mirrors or highly reflective substrates (risk of UV reflection onto print heads).
  • Monitor for media curl or bubbling from UV-lamp heat, which can cause head strikes.
  • Control static-prone substrates by maintaining higher humidity or by using anti-static bars.

Contact

Technical Support: support@nutecdigital.com
Department: NUtec Digital Ink Technical Team

Disclaimer

  • Information is based on current knowledge and does not guarantee product features or establish a legal contract.
  • NUtec Digital Ink is not responsible for print-head damage resulting from improper capping fluids, flushing, or maintenance.
  • Standards and compliance statements are valid for one year from the publish date and may change with formulation updates.