Introduction

Many customers have questions about the bulbs for the UV-curing lamps on the UV series of printers. This document defines the factors that contribute to bulb wear and what to expect from your UV system.

Terminology

The UV lamp system consists of these parts:

Lamp Housings

The two ventilated boxes on the left and right sides of the carriage. Each lamp housing is conceptually equivalent to a light fixture in your home or office: it is a reasonably permanent hardware item. The lamp housing is directly connected to the electrical current and contains the necessary components to light up a UV bulb (see below). The housing also has a self-contained cooling apparatus.

Lamp Cassette

A carrier for the bulb. The cassette is a circuit board and reflector assembly and has the direct electrical connections for the UV bulb. The cassette is a consumable item, but a reseller or authorized service provider can remove a used bulb and install a new one into the same cassette several times before the cassette must be replaced, or the complete cassette and bulb assembly can be replaced as a unit. Replacement of the cassette and bulb assembly can be per- formed by any operator and does not require a service visit.

UV Bulb

The actual “light bulb” that emits visible and UV light energy. Just like a light bulb in any fixture in your home or office, the UV bulb is a consumable item and will eventually need to be replaced. Bulb life is a major topic of the remainder of this document.

The photographs below show each of these items (FB910 has slightly different appearance but should be recogniz- ably similar).

Lamp Housing on Carriage

Cassette Removed from

Housing

Bulb Removed from Cassette

Bulb Life

Bulb life is defined as the period in which the bulb will emit enough ultraviolet (UV) light energy to cure the ink within the available exposure time.

For the first 200-300 hours of on-time, the energy emitted by the bulbs is constant. After that the energy emission begins to decline. Between 300-500 hours of use, the decline is sufficient so that most bulbs no longer emit enough energy to cure output in the fastest printmodes with the lamp at its lowest power setting. If you are not printing in the faster modes, the number of hours before this occurs may be higher; but see the “Additional Notes on Bulb Life” sec- tion (below) for important details. Whenever this point is reached, there are two options to extend the life of the bulb:

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HP Scitex FB910 manual Terminology, Bulb Life
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Scitex FB910 specifications

The HP Scitex FB910 is a state-of-the-art flatbed printer that has carved its niche in the market of high-quality, high-speed graphics printing. It is renowned for its versatility and capability to handle a variety of substrates, making it a popular choice for businesses in the signage, packaging, and display industries.

One of the main features of the HP Scitex FB910 is its ability to print on both rigid and flexible materials. This includes a wide range of substrates such as foam core, wood, glass, and metal, as well as various types of plastics. This flexibility allows users to expand their offerings and cater to diverse customer needs.

In terms of technology, the HP Scitex FB910 uses UV-cured inks that provide vibrant colors and excellent durability. The use of UV light to cure the inks means that prints are immediately ready for handling and finishing, significantly increasing productivity. This technology is environmentally friendly as it produces less VOC (volatile organic compounds), meeting the growing demand for sustainable printing solutions.

The printer features a rigid media capability with a maximum media size of 126 x 79 inches, enabling the production of large displays with remarkable detail. The HP Scitex FB910 can deliver high-quality print resolutions up to 1200 dpi, ensuring sharp images and vibrant colors that stand out. For even more efficiency, the printer is equipped with advanced features like multi-layer printing, which allows for the creation of textured and dimensional effects.

An important characteristic of the HP Scitex FB910 is its user-friendly interface. The printer’s comprehensive software suite provides a streamlined workflow and easy integration with existing systems. This enhances operation, reduces the learning curve for new users, and facilitates quicker job turnaround times.

The FB910’s high-speed production capabilities, combined with its ability to handle a wide range of media types, make it an ideal choice for businesses looking to stay competitive in the fast-paced printing market. With its reliability, excellent print quality, and innovative features, the HP Scitex FB910 continues to be a preferred choice for those seeking to deliver high-impact graphics and meet the demands of a diverse clientele.
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