At drupa 2012, Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg) will be unveiling the new high-performance, energy-saving DryStar UV LED dryer for the Speedmaster SX 52. This dryer uses the high UV light yield of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) to cure highly reactive LED UV inks and highly reactive LED UV coatings. One major benefit of this technology is that substrates are not heated in the process. As a result, the DryStar UV LED is ideal for commercial printing applications with or without a coating and also for special applications involving completely distortion-free plastic foil printing. Possible end products include plastic cards, inmold labels, official stickers, and top-quality plastic packaging. The DryStar UV LED dryer can also be used for coating applications. This high-performance dryer is designed to match the maximum production speed of 15,000 sheets per hour that can be achieved on the Speedmaster SX 52. 

A further advantage of the dryer is that it enables distortion-free processing of foils as thin as 56 µm (0.0022 in) for absolute register accuracy. The DryStar UV LED dryer thus paves the way for foil printers to achieve a high quality standard in UV printing. 

It is also a possible alternative for commercial print shops that are looking to stand out from the competition with state-of-the-art technology and innovative applications in UV printing. 

The new DryStar UV LED will be available for the Speedmaster SX 52 with or without coating unit from the end of 2012 and for other format classes from the beginning of 2013. 

The DryStar UV LED will be on show in the Innovation Gallery that forms part of the Heidelberg stand in Hall 1 of drupa. As a further unit geared toward high-quality surface finishing, it is a response to the HEI Emotions market trend.

New UV LED technology consumes less energy than UV dryers with UV lamps 
LEDs deliver their full output as soon as they are switched on. They do not need time to warm up or cool down, nor is a standby mode necessary. The option of switching LEDs on and off in line with the format and using LED segments in the relevant format width saves energy. As a result, the DryStar UV LED dryer consumes less energy than conventional UV dryer systems with UV lamps. 

The long-lasting LEDs also mean lower service costs and fewer changeover operations. Depending on the system's capacity utilization, UV LEDs can last for more than 10,000 hours. 

For maximum flexibility, the DryStar UV LED can be used in the delivery and/or as an interdeck dryer. Like all DryStar dryers from Heidelberg, it integrates perfectly into Speedmaster presses. 

The DryStar UV LED is equipped with a direct water cooling system that is housed in a standard cabinet along with the electrical power supply. This is installed with the press's other supply cabinets, which saves space in the pressroom.