Baldwin has launched GraphiCure GC9, a groundbreaking UV curing system, which has been developed in association with Kühnast Strahlungstechnik GmbH. GraphiCure GC9 utilises the unique characteristics of Kühnast's ‘Quickstart' technology, which was previously only available for smaller format presses. The recent installation of the system at UK printing company W3 has successfully brought the technology to the 40-inch format market. Thomas Garlin, sales and marketing manager at Baldwin IVT AB in Sweden, says: “The unique, instant start technology incorporated into GraphiCure GC9 enables the UV lamps to become fully operative within seconds, without the need for a warm up period typical of traditional UV systems. The main benefits to the printer are improved productivity through increased press printing time, energy savings since power is only used when the press is in production and the possibility to achieve up to 30% more production hours per lamp, when compared to traditional systems. In addition, the technology does not require a ‘standby' mode, thereby minimising heat build up in the press. “GraphiCure GC9 also offers the printer a number of safety advantages and maintenance benefits due to the reduction in moving parts. For example, the system does not require shutters – an area which can cause maintenance difficulties with existing UV systems. GraphiCure GC9 is compatible with GraphiSet GS4 - Baldwin's energy efficient IR/ hot air dryer for conventional ink and coating. When both systems are installed in the same press, printers can efficiently switch between conventional and UV production. Richard Weaver, owner of Evesham based W3 Litho says: “GraphiCure GC9 enables W3 to have complete flexibility on press and allows us to compete profitably and effectively within both the conventional and UV marketplace, with no major increase to our energy costs. We are currently using the Graphicure GC9 system for 40% of our printed output and are amazed that we are able to switch between operations so easily. “We were extremely impressed with how easy it was to install GraphiCure GC9 on our press. We took delivery of the system on a Saturday afternoon and by the Monday morning we were up and running and our operations manager was ready to begin printing. “Installing the GraphiCure GC9 system has meant we are able to offer customers more choice without having to dedicate a press solely for UV printing. Despite the fact we have made such a breakthrough in terms of our output here at W3, we have altered very little with regard to our prepress department,” says Mr Weaver. “We have used Gemini Hybrid inks from Flint Schmidt since the installation and the quality is so good that we have been able to maintain our existing reprographic set-up and can achieve the same results with the UV process as with conventional printing,”