Mobile UV – Market Review and Safety Guidelines

By Michael Kelly , Dan Dayon

Ultraviolet (UV) technology has been utilized by manufacturing for the past several decades, with applications ranging from wood flooring to the graphic ink marketplace. Many other markets utilize UV coatings to increase production, reduce energy costs and fl oor space, and provide an overall cleaner solution. In 2009 alone, 105,000 tons of UV coatings were shipped in the United States, with many times that amount worldwide.

Figure 1 provides some examples of UV applications. For the past several years, UV lighting technology has become mobile and new fi eld-applied markets have evolved—commonly referred to as Mobile UV. This article will review the Mobile UV marketplace, provide specifi c examples, and examine the safety guidelines that should be followed when utilizing this technology.

Mobile UV applications have evolved and include such areas as bathtub refinishing, countertop and tile refinishing, flooring (including concrete, VCT, and wood), as well as touch-up applications for furniture, in-line manufacturing repair, composites, etc. (Figure 2). UV is also used for coatings in the antigraffi ti, marine, architectural, and auto-body/headlight refi nishing segments.