First use of UV exposure unit

[colrehogan]

Do I need to warm up the exposure unit or do anything special the first time I use it?

 

[Joe Lipka]

Nope. Just like a bunch of fluorescent light bulbs. Wait a minute....

Well, BEFORE YOU PLUG IT IN you could dust off the bulbs and such.

 

[Dave Wooten]

You can leave it on through out your total printing time....don't shut it on and off etc.

 

[donbga]

Do I need to warm up the exposure unit or do anything special the first time I use it?

Carol,

Since your exposures are going to last a few minutes at least, simply add 10 seconds to the exposure time. This allows the bulb time to ramp up to full output. With BL or BLB tubes they don't need to be left on all the time.

Ideally, a light integrator sensitive to UV such as an OLIX can be used in place of a standard timer. This will eliminate variations in output due to bulb temperature and line voltage. This will give you the most repeatable results.

However an old fashioned Gray-Lab timer will work adequately unless you have really bad house current.

Don Bryant

 

[colrehogan]

Thanks to all for your replies. I'm going to give it a try tonight.