Who are
we?
TCS Technologies is a USA based specialty
lamp manufacturer producing over 6000 replacement lamps to fit most UV
curing systems. Since 1979, we have been manufacturing the highest
quality UV curing lamps built to match, and often exceed OEM
specifications. This website is dedicated to the UV inkjet printing
industry.
Why us?
TCS Technologies is committed to being the
best supplier in the UV industry providing professional and global
service. Equipped with modern facilities and advanced technology, we
can provide all types of UV inkjet and digital flatbed lamps.
What can
we offer
you?
We can save you money! Our UV curing lamps
provide long service life and consistent UV output. With TCS
Technologies, you are dealing directly with the lamp manufacturer for a
more cost-effective way to purchase lamps.
Can you
private
label lamps?
Absolutely, for a one-time printing die
charge, we can print your name and lamp part number on any of our
products.
How are
lamps
packaged?
Our inkjet bulbs are shipped in individual
box with cotton glove and cleaning wipe. Lamps are thoroughly tested,
ready to go to work.
How long
should my
lamp last?
UV lamp (bulb) life depends on many
factors including number of starts, thermal operating conditions, power
rating, additives and proper handling. Simply defined, it is the hours
the lamp produces enough UV energy to properly cure the ink within the
available exposure time.
The
initial 200 to
250 hours of operation (idol time plus active print time), the UV
output is stable. Between 250 and 450 operation hours, output
decreases, eventually resulting in insufficient UV curing energy.
Some inkjet printers have the ability to change lamp power settings.
Switching to medium or high power increases UV output, however heat
is also
increased.
There may be a fine balance between acceptable UV output and heat
generation. Another option is to maintain heat loading by slowing print
speed while the UV lamp is at low power. This option is mostly
available with standard mercury filled lamps. Some lamps are additive
filled. They produce higher levels of UV; however, they do not last as
long and normally cannot be run at low power.
Each
lamp startup
reduces UV lamp life. Adjust printing schedule to keep lamp starts to a
minimum. The fact that the lamp lights is not an indication of
proper UV output. Most UV lamps will continue to operate long after
their useful life has expired. Under normal conditions, the vast
majority of TCS inkjet lamps will last 600 hours
Can you supply a lamp
even if we do not know the part number?
TCS Technologies manufactures lamps for
all makes of curing systems. We
can match lamp specifications from an original operating sample.
Normally this only takes a few days between receiving the lamp and
providing a replacement. Your sample is not damaged and will be
returned.
My
coating will not
cure.
Confirm that the dryer reflectors are
clean and free of distortion.
Inspect mechanical shutters to confirm they are opening all the way. Be
sure the lamp is free from spray powder, fingerprints, reflector
material or other contaminants. Make sure UV lamp is up to full power.
If reflected light output “looks” dim, chances are the lamp is
overcooled. Always wear protective glasses when working with UV lamps.
Never look directly at the UV lamp.
Verify the number of operating hours that
the lamp has run. If the lamp
has over 450 hours of use, it may not generate enough ultraviolet
energy to cure your application.
The ends
of my lamps
are discolored, what happened?
Avoid excessive starts. Upon start up, the
internal lamp pressure is
low. During this time the lamp electrodes literally sputter off
tungsten and this is deposited on the inside of the tube. Always start
lamps in high power to shorten warm up time. Excessive starts cause
premature darkening and drop in UV output.
