Heidelberg Twin-Tube Infrared

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From a time standpoint, air drying of offset inks is not practical. Accordingly, many Heidelberg presses with high-pile delivery incorporate DryStar infrared dryers. This technology is well suited for drying aqueous coatings.

Compared to UV curing, drying with infrared takes up much space. In order to provide enough “drying” energy one needs to include multiples of individual lamps. From a control and space standpoint this is not practical. Alternatively, twin tube infrared lamps were developed to increase radiated power intensity in a compact package. Essentially this is two (2) halogen cycle infrared lamps coupled together, hence the name twin tube. Depending on the wiring specifications, each tube (we call them channels) can be operated independently and at different wattages.

Lamps are fabricated from quartz allowing rapid warm-up and cool down without risk of thermal shock. All lamps incorporate a gold reflector for maximum efficiency. This technique literally doubles infrared dose to your printed product. Unlike plasma arc UV curing lamps, twin tube infrared lamps have a resistive filament spanning the bulb. This filament is fragile, affected by vibration and voltage variations.

The filament resembles a long spring and is comprised of specially doped tungsten for elevated temperature operation. To increase life, lamps are hermetically sealed and filled with 7-9 atmospheres argon and a minute amount of bromine compound to retard quartz blackening. The high argon pressure is necessary to reduce the rate of tungsten evaporation. When power is applied, the tungsten filament temperature rapidly rises, heating the bulb. The bulb wall (quartz vessel) quickly reaches 900 to 10000C. All told, this temperature gradient produces strong convection currents within the quartz vessel (tube). Left unprotected, tungsten molecules will evaporate from the filament and deposit on the cooled quartz wall. The result is poor output and short life. This is where the bromine compound comes into play. It does not prevent the tungsten from evaporating. Rather, instead of cooling on the quartz surface, the available bromine intercedes and combines with tungsten molecules to form tungsten bromide. The resulting halide compound is circulated back by convection current to the filament and is deposited. The high filament temperature dissociates the tungsten bromide leaving tungsten on the filament and the bromine compound is recirculated to begin the process anew. This is where the term “halogen-cycle” comes to play. All shortwave infrared lamps from TCS Technologies employ this halogen cycle.

Twin tubes infrared lamps (IR tubes) are utilized in many DryStar units incorporated into Heidelberg equipment. Presses include Speedmaster SM 52, SM 72, SM 74, CD 74, SM 102, CD 102, MO, HMO, and XL 105.

 

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Twin tube Heidelberg style infrared lamps are broken down into three outputs. This permits a choice of optimal wavelength for your ink or coating.

  1. Fast response medium-wave—-these lamps have wavelength output greater than 1.4 micron (um) and warm-up response time 1 to 3 seconds. Tungsten coil temperatures operate between 1300 to 1800oC. Cross-section size is 16 mm x 33 mm. An example of this type lamp is our lamp number 111845 which is equivalent to Heidelberg F7.170.0771
  2. Short wave—these are the most popular twin tube lamps. Wavelength output is 1.1 to 1.3 micron (um) with warm-up response time of 1 second. Coil temperatures range between 1800 and 2400oC. These lamps utilize special grain tungsten for mechanical stability and to withstand the enormous operating temperature. Due to the brittle nature of processed tungsten, it is very important to keep dryer vibration to a minimum. Short wave twin tube lamps have a cross section of 11 mm x 22 mm. An example of this type lamp is our part number 111837 which is equivalent to Heidelberg 83.170.1311.
  3. Medium wave—these lamps are the least expensive of our twin tube design. Wavelength output is 2.4 to 2.7 micron (um). With a warm-up response time of 1 to 5 minutes, medium wave lamps take a back seat to other twin tube designs. Coil temperatures range between 800 to 930oC. Cross-section size is 16 mm x 33 mm. An example of this type lamp is our part number 111838 which is equivalent to Heidelberg 83.170.1411.

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Our Heidelberg-style IR lamps are interchangeable with the following part numbers

 

91.170.1411 M Offset C7.170.0301/01
91.170.1311 2130012 G4170.0101
M6.170.0301/01 2130011 M6.170.0301
53.170.1311 HMO-SW-B HMO-MW-B
SM 72-SW-A SM 72-MW-B SM 74-SW-N1
SM 74-SW-B SM 74-FMW-B SM 74-MW-B
SM 74-6 PH CD 102-SW-C CD 102-N1
SM 102-FWM-B SM 102-SW-N1 SM 102-FMW-B
SM 102-SW-A1 SM 102-MW-A1 SM 102-MW-B
SWM 102-WS-A4 SM 102-SW-A5 Heidelberg MO
83.170.1311 51760489 F7.170.0771/01
F7.170.0771

 

We are happy to provide technical drawings on each of our lamps. For example here is a typical drawing of Heidelberg-style twin tube lamp for Speedmaster 102. Heidelberg part number is 91.170.1311. TCS Technologies part number is 111839

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Most twin tube infrared lamps whether medium wave or shortwave fall into the following lamp designs.

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Contained below are several reference infrared lamps used in Heidelberg presses:

TCS Technologies

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Typically, twin tube infrared lamps should be changed approximately every 3,000-5,000 hours. Life expectancy is dependent on many factors. Lamps carry a 5,000 hour pro-rated warranty.

Your Heidelberg press is constructed from precision parts. The part numbers shown are those of the original equipment manufacturer and are used for reference purposes only. TCS Technologies has no affiliation with Heidelberg. We are USA source for aftermarket infrared and ultraviolet curing lamps. Since 1979 we have manufactured quality lamps at affordable prices. Keep in mind, just because a lamp is from a second source does not mean inferior quality. TCS Technologies actually manufactures the lamps we sell. We are not a reseller of Chinese lamps. Our lamp quality is equal to or greater than the OEM. You receive the same quality, USA-manufactured product at a fraction of the cost.