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Unit Archives - Screen Printing Exposure Units

Lightspeed Screen Printing Exposure Units unique advantages

Why choose Lightspeed over other Screen Printing Exposure Units?

By LED Exposure Units, LED Screen Printing Exposure Unit Advantages, LED Screen Printing Exposure Unit Benefits, LED Screen Printing Exposure Units, Screen Printing Exposure Unit

Lightspeed screen exposure units advantages

In the video Shawn explains some unique and distinct advantages over other tech and how Lightspeed UV LED bulbs insure a level of detail and quality of shooting screens.

We were the first in development using LEDs in screen printing exposure units, first to put a multi-spectrum led based unit on the market, and what we found during our stages of work on it, and trying to make this work was, a single colored LED would not properly expose all different emulsions. We had to widen that spectrum by at least 2 LEDs of different nanometers per bulb.

So, once we accomplished that feat, patented it, and 2 other people have tried to put 2 colors (LED) in theirs but with the patents we were able to stop them. Lightspeed has the only LED exposure unit on the market that will properly expose. It’s the only unit on the market that has an LED bulbs that’s made specifically for exposing screens. Everybody else is either using black light lighting lights, or rope lights like you might find in a casino, or string lights.

We also developed patented lenses that focus the lumens into a 60 degree angle, to insure crisp, detail screens. No other manufacturer has this feature in their exposure units. You can see the difference in the results when you shoot screens, no matter what kind of emulsion you are using.

Lightspeed exposure bulb advantagesLooking for a high quality exposure units for both big and small screen printing projects? Lightspeed exposure units are made in the US, with high-quality parts and the only patented multi-spectrum LEDs bulbs on the market. Literally light years ahead of the competition. Shoot crisp, high quality and professional screens in a reliable, energy efficient unit.

Exposure units are available in a variety of sized and can accommodate small, medium and large size screen frames. The bulbs are the latest technology and are warrantied for 5 years. Comes with all the standard features you would expect, adjustable exposure times, auto shut off, instant draw vacuum, neoprene rubber blanket, and gas shock assisted frame.

LED Screen Printing Exposure Unit

They are energy efficient, low heat, incredibly reliable, and made in the USA.

Learn more at LED UV Exposure Units

Screen Printing Exposure Units technology evolution

Screen Printing Exposure Unit evolution

By LED Screen Printing Exposure Unit Advantages, LED Screen Printing Exposure Units, Screen Printing Exposure Unit

Shawn McPherson of Lightspeed Equipment explains the history and evolution of screen printing exposure unit bulb technology, the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Starting with carbon arc lamps, the switch to UV tubes (mostly fluorescents) and evolving to the gold standard for many years = metal halide. With UV LEDs now becoming the standard with low heat, energy efficient, sharp detail and fast screen exposure times.

Lightspeed exposure bulb advantages

Shawn also explains the initial challenges in using LEDs in an exposure unit, and how his 3 patents work to insure Lightspeed Equipments have the only screen printing exposure units on the market that have multi-spectrum LEDs combined with focused lenses.

Hope you enjoy the video! Please contact us if you have any questions about our unique LED technology, exposure units, or want to talk screen printing with Shawn.

Large Exposure Unit Demo

Demo of large Screen Printing Exposure Unit

By LED Screen Printing Exposure Unit Advantages, LED Screen Printing Exposure Units, Screen Printing Exposure Unit No Comments

At Lightspeed, we manufacture quality exposure units for both big and small screen printing projects. Our screen exposure units are made in the US, with high-quality parts, assembled by hand. They make crisp, highly accurate and professional looking exposures in a budget friendly package. You’ll find our exposure units and exposure lights for exposing and burning screens to be carefully designed. Shooting screens is a crucial step of the screen printing process, as you know, the quality of your screen print is only as good as the quality of your screen. A better exposure unit will produce a better screen, which ultimately leads to a better screen print.

Each unit includes white placement lights that are UV free, to assist with placing screens accurately, without exposure. Our units deliver fast, uniform and high resolution exposures using long lasting LED UV lights. In addition to fast exposure times and fine line details, our units will reduce your set up times, energy costs and overall cost of ownership.Unlike expensive metal-halide bulbs that require regular replacements, run at high temperatures and require startup and cool down time, our LED lights operate at much lower temperatures, can last over 50,000 hours and start and stop immediately with the touch of a button.

Lightspeed has taken the lead by offering the only patented multi-spectrum LED exposure units on the market. Checkout the emulsion test results by Ulano, to see what a difference this makes in accuracy, no matter what emulsions you are using.

Screen Printing Exposure Unit Features:

  • Easy to operate digital control timer
  • Powerful vacuum pump
  • Flexible neoprene blanket to ensure film to screen contact
  • Gas shock operated blanket frame for easy opening
  • Large exposing surface
  • Reliability
  • Low heat

When choosing an exposure unit think about your current and future screen printing needs. There are lots of exposure units to choose from all giving different levels of production capability and quality. If you are looking to replace an older unit e.g. with metal halide bulbs then we highly recommend that you consider UV LED exposure units. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your requirements and we can help you find the right exposure solution for your needs.

Ulano / Kiwo test results

By LED Screen Printing Exposure Units One Comment

As you can see from the test results that Ulano shared with us, Lightspeed Equipment LED Screen Printing Exposure Unit is what they consider to be the best LED exposure unit tested to date!

“Overall, the results of this LED screen printing exposure unit with our emulsions was very good. Based on previous LED exposure unit testings, the Photopolymers were just a little slower, but not so much that it makes any difference.

All three Photopolymers had good edge and resolution. Orange and One Coat slightly better than 90222/2.

Platinum and 90188/8 were equal match for exposure. 90188/8 having better edge and resolution than Platinum, yet Platinum very good and very acceptable for textile printing. I treated both emulsions with On Press and let sit overnight. Platinum reclaimed very easy, 90188/8 needed pressure washer, but would still be considered easy to reclaim.

LX660 Blue and Poly Plus Z were the big surprise for me. The exposure speed was ok, but the edge definition and resolution was fantastic. You would be hard pressed to tell the difference from the LED screen and a 5K MH screen. Nothing like we have seen from all the other LED units where dots have conglomerations that make them look horrible. These were a pleasent surprise..

DP800 Blue exposed faster than the diazo dual cures, but did not have the same edge and resolution that they have. They were good, but not the same as LX660 or PPZ.. Dots were also slightly elongated.

925WR-P was slow, as expected. Good edge and resolution, but not as good as with a 5k MH.. Also had the elongated dots.

My opinion: I would not recommend the Lightspeed LED screen printing exposure unit for straight diazo emulsions, mostly because the speed is slow and the end result is not better than a MH. Definately good for Photopolymers as far as speed and good screens… again, not as good as MH, but very good alternative. Dual cure and Hybrid Dual cure are the best results. The diazo dual cures were excellent. As long as a customer can live with the exposure times, it’s a good unit. The Hybrids were nice and fast, yet had very good imaging.”

I hope this information is helpful as you begin to see this unit in the field. I would not hesitate to recommend this as the best LED screen printing exposure unit to date!!!!!!!!!

Download the PDF to read the results and their analysis for yourself.

Ulano_Lightspeed LED Testing Sheet (PDF)

Ulano_Lightspeed_LED_Testing_Sheet1_pdf__1_page_