X-Vactor UV Exposure Units

[f8orbust]

Just wondering if anyone has any experience in using any of the X-Vactor UV exposure units ? Dead Link Removed to the 25" x 36" model.

Designed for screen printing - the specs for the 25 x 36 model indicate that it is fitted with 8 F30 T8 Black Light bulbs producing light in the 370nm range.

Although $1200 isn't chump change, for this size of unit that includes a vacuum frame, it seems a veritable bargain compared to (say) the Amergraph ULF-28 (*drool*).

I guess my concerns are:

1. The number of bulbs and their spacing - 8 in total, which look to be maybe be about 3 inches apart - could this cause 'banding' in the print ?
2. The distance of the artwork from the bulbs - looks to be maybe be about 4 - 5 inches - could this cause long exposure times ?

Thanks.

Jim

 

[Uncle Goose]

I think 4-5 inches isn't going to cause long exposure, Mine are more like 10 inches above the print and a Cyanotype takes about 7-8 minutes. I don't know of course how many watts these machines emit but since I only use 2 x 15 watts Philips tubes I think it will give more than mine. Banding will be depending on how much "flooding" there is, I never had any problems with banding even when the print was 10 inch from the tubes I use. Most of these TL tubes have a reflector (hope that's the correct term) in them that evens out the light. With a purchase like that you should rather have a look at the real thing although I don't know if that's possible for you.