Hönle jetCURE IR Infrared Drying Module

Overview

The Hönle jetCURE IR is a high-precision, modular infrared drying system engineered for industrial printing and coating processes where thermal efficiency, spectral adaptability, and process stability are critical. Unlike conventional convection-based dryers, the jetCURE IR employs directed short-wave and medium-wave infrared radiation—generated by tungsten-halogen emitters—to deliver rapid, volumetric heating of water-based inks and coatings. Its core principle relies on selective absorption of IR energy by solvent molecules and polymer binders, enabling efficient evaporation without excessive substrate heating. The system’s design integrates radiative heat transfer physics with controlled convective cooling, allowing it to operate in two distinct modes: pure IR (for high-resolution inkjet applications sensitive to airflow) and hybrid IR + hot air (for enhanced throughput in less thermally constrained processes). This dual-mode architecture reflects a deliberate engineering response to the divergent thermal management requirements across digital inkjet, flexographic, and PCB sintering workflows.

Key Features

• Configurable radiation spectrum: Selectable emitter arrays support short-wave (0.8–1.4 µm), medium-wave (1.4–3.0 µm), or combined NIR/MWIR output—optimized for water absorption peaks and film-forming kinetics of acrylic, polyurethane, and latex dispersions.
• High-intensity irradiation: Up to 300 kW/m² peak radiant exitance enables rapid surface and interfacial drying while minimizing dwell time—critical for high-speed web and sheet-fed operations.
• Airflow-isolated IR mode: A sealed quartz radiation window and filtered axial cooling airflow prevent laminar disturbance at the substrate surface, eliminating ink dot deformation and printhead clogging risks inherent in traditional hot-air systems.
• Tool-less mode conversion: Removal of the quartz front plate and mechanical reorientation of the axial fan transforms the module from pure IR to IR + hot air configuration—achievable in under 5 minutes without disassembly.
• Modular integration: Standardized mechanical interfaces, 24 V DC control logic, and analog 0–10 V / digital RS485 communication protocols enable seamless integration into OEM printing presses, coaters, and sintering lines.
• Thermal safety architecture: Integrated pyrometer feedback, overtemperature cutoffs, and real-time lamp current monitoring comply with EN 60204-1 and IEC 61508 functional safety guidelines.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The jetCURE IR is validated for use with aqueous pigment dispersions, UV-curable hybrids, waterborne acrylics, and conductive nanoparticle inks used in printed electronics. It supports substrates including PET, paper, corrugated board, FR-4, and flexible polyimide films. All electrical components conform to CE marking requirements under the EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and EMC Directive 2014/30/EU. Radiation emission profiles meet IEC 62471 Photobiological Safety classification for Class 3R IR sources. For regulated environments—including ISO 13485-certified medical device manufacturing and IPC-6012-compliant PCB fabrication—the system supports audit-ready documentation packages and optional 21 CFR Part 11–compliant data logging when paired with Hönle’s SynchroControl software.

Software & Data Management

The jetCURE IR operates via either standalone Hönle SynchroControl panel interface or OEM machine-level PLC integration (Siemens S7, Beckhoff TwinCAT, Rockwell Logix). SynchroControl provides real-time power profiling, spectral mode selection, lamp aging compensation, and event-triggered data capture (power, temperature, runtime). Logged datasets are exportable as CSV or XML and include timestamped metadata traceable to NIST-traceable calibration records. Optional firmware updates maintain alignment with evolving industry standards—including ASTM D7904 (standard test method for IR drying performance) and ISO 2834-3 (coating drying behavior assessment).

Applications

• Inkjet printing: Enables high-fidelity, high-speed curing of aqueous pigment inks on heat-sensitive media (e.g., uncoated paper, thin films) without airflow-induced dot spread or feathering.
• Flexographic and gravure coating: Accelerates drying of water-based barrier coatings on packaging webs, reducing rewet risk and improving line speed by up to 35% versus convection-only systems.
• PCB sintering: Provides localized, non-contact thermal activation of silver nanoparticle inks during low-temperature metallization—critical for flexible and hybrid electronics assembly.
• R&D pilot lines: Serves as a scalable platform for formulation testing, where spectral tuning allows correlation of IR wavelength absorption with binder crosslinking kinetics and film morphology development.

FAQ

What spectral ranges are available with the jetCURE IR module?

Short-wave IR (0.8–1.4 µm), medium-wave IR (1.4–3.0 µm), or hybrid configurations combining both bands—and optionally extended into near-infrared (0.7–0.8 µm)—are supported via interchangeable emitter modules.
Can the jetCURE IR be integrated into existing press control architectures?

Yes. It supports standard fieldbus protocols including Profibus DP, EtherCAT, and Modbus TCP, and accepts analog setpoints (0–10 V) for continuous power modulation synchronized to web speed.
Is lamp replacement performed offline or online?

Lamp exchange is fully hot-swappable using industry-standard quick-connect sockets—no tools or power-down required, enabling maintenance during scheduled pauses without interrupting production cycles.
How does the system ensure consistent irradiance over time?

Each lamp bank includes integrated current sensing and thermal derating algorithms that automatically compensate for emitter aging and ambient temperature drift—maintaining ±2% radiant flux stability over 1,000 hours of operation.
Does the jetCURE IR meet explosion-proof requirements for solvent-based applications?

No. It is certified exclusively for aqueous and low-VOC formulations. For solvent-laden environments, Hönle offers the EX-rated jetCURE EX series compliant with ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU and IECEx standards.