[August 2008]

DV-Systems has received the IWF Challengers Distinguished Achievement Award, for its environmentally friendly UV-X curing technology. The Challengers Award recognizes companies for innovative and technologically advanced contributions to the woodworking industry. A panel of 10 judges chose DV-Systems’ UV-X and 6 other innovations out of a record breaking number of 126 entries.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled,” exclaims Vittorio Belluz, VP of DV-Systems, “The UV-X curing tunnel is a result of our strategic dedication to efficient finishing solutions with the least environmental impact. We’ve all worked very hard to make UV-X the most advanced curing option that is good for both our customers and the environment. This public recognition shows we’re on the right track.”

Charlotte, NC based DV-Systems is the leading US manufacturer of profile finishing equipment. The company offers complete finishing solutions for mouldings, trims, flooring and other linear substrates. The patented UV-X curing tunnel is part of DV-Systems’ complete line of finishing systems customizable with conveyors, sanders, and coating applications.

UV-X cures 100% solid UV coatings. It maintains a cool substrate temperature, hence enabling UV curing of heat sensitive woods without triggering raisin bleed, scorching or deforming. This cool temperature curing is achieved through mercury free lamps that produce powerful curing flashes but require very little energy. An entire UV-X finishing system consumes up to 80% less energy than a conventional UV system. Annual energy savings can amount to 42,900kWh, the equivalent of 22.3 metric tons of CO2 emissions.

Companies also benefit from the UV-X’s instant on and off feature. No warm up or cool down phases are necessary, thereby increasing machine up time by up to 20%. Fast changeovers allow for economic product customization through small batch production.

UV-X curing tunnels are available in different sizes and configurations to achieve optimal curing of selected or all sides of profiles at various speeds. Lamps at the bottom of the oven first cure the underside of profiles before a belt conveys them past top/side emitters that cure the remaining sides to complete the finishing process.