Business

Lüscher Technologies AG – Quality, Reliability And Innovation

Lüscher is a leading global manufacturer of state-of-the-art imaging systems for various printing technologies used in the graphic arts and textile industries. Backed by 73 years of experience, Lüscher manufactures many kinds of cutting-edge equipment. JetScreen DX Round, Lüscher's state-of-the-art UV laser diode direct exposing system, uses next-generation, long-lasting laser diodes to reduce the time it takes to produce high quality rotary screens with a maximum width of 3500 mm. The laser diodes enable significant time savings, since they expose screens at a high resolution with high speed. In addition, no consumables are required for JetScreen DX Round, which makes the overall screen making process greener, economical and more efficient. Modular Design JetScreen DX Round has a modular design and can be customised to suit special requirements of customers. The standard configuration includes a 1200 dpi setting head with 16 individually controllable laser diodes, with an option for 32 diodes. The 16 laser diode configuration exposes a screen coated with standard emulsion, a repeat of 640 mm, and a width of 2200 mm in less than 10 minutes. For a similar screen, the 32 laser diode configuration reduces the exposure time to 5 minutes. Currently, the different types of imaging systems available are: masking with ink/wax, engraving, and exposing.

Masking (with ink/wax)	Engraving	Exposing
§ Resolution limited by technology § Deformation of drops by impact § Running cost of ink/wax § Imaging and exposure are not done together, hence additional production steps are required	§ Emulsion is removed § CO₂ laser destroys coating on printing area § Exhaust removes coating particles	§ Emulsion is cured § UV laser cures non-printing area § Printing area is washed out

Exposing technology saves time overall compared to engraving:

Processes:	Engraving technology	Exposing (LüscherDX) technology
Coating and drying	✓	✓
Polymerisation	✓	×
Engraving/exposure	✓	✓
Washing	×	✓
Drying	×	✓
Polymerisation	×	✓
Preparation	×	✓

Estimated time in minutes for 640 mm × 2800 mm screen:

	Engraving technology	Exposure technology
Imaging	45	15
Washing Out		15
Drying		30
Total	45	60

Although the number of steps are higher for the exposing system compared to engraving, the Lüscher DX exposing system actually results in significant time saving. This is because once the exposure of one stencil is completed, the exposure of the second screen can be started immediately. The concurrent running of all processes considerably reduces the time required to make a screen. As a result, at the end of four hours, the number of screens made using Lüscher’s exposing technology is more than double of the number of screens made using engraving technology!

Number of hours	Number of screens with engraving technology	Number of screens with laser exposing technology of Lüscher
1^st hour	1	1
2^nd hour	2	5
3^rd hour	4	9
4^th hour	6	13
Total	13	28

In addition, there are numerous benefits of JetScreen DX Round exposing technology over the conventional engraving technology:

High output quality
1200 dpi resolution ensures round dot with diameter of 25 mm
Better quality half tone (or gradient) and raster (or dot matrix) images
Very low energy consumption of less than 1.5 kW
Laser diodes (16 diode or 32 diode configuration) work with constant energy efficiency
Plug and expose; easy installation
Easy change of screen by just unlocking one screen
User-friendly software
Due to air pressure inside the screen, screens with dents can also be used

A.T.E. Enterprises Private Limited is responsible for the marketing, sales, and service of Lüscher products in India. A.T.E.’s domain expertise coupled with Lüscher’s state-of the-art technology will help textile printers take advantage of this technology to gain a competitive edge.