Accelerate Composite Manufacturing with UV Curing Technology

Across industries such as aerospace, automotive, wind energy, marine, construction, and recreational products, composite materials are becoming the preferred choice for manufacturers seeking high strength-to-weight performance and long-term durability.

As demand for composite components continues to grow, manufacturers need production solutions that support higher throughput without compromising quality. UV curing technology helps meet these objectives by reducing processing times, improving manufacturing efficiency, and enabling consistent, reliable results.

UV microwave and UV LED composite curing systems enable manufacturers to significantly reduce cure times, increase throughput, and improve process control. Depending on the application and material, UV curing can reduce curing times from hours to minutes, or even seconds, while minimizing energy consumption and reducing emissions.

Advanced Composite Manufacturing

Modern composite production increasingly incorporates automation and advanced materials, and UV curing plays an important role in supporting these advanced manufacturing processes. From 3D printing of composite materials and carbon fiber component manufacturing to automated fiber placement, composite layer joining, and consolidation processes, UV curing enables faster processing, improved precision, and greater production efficiency for high-performance composite structures.

Open Molding

UV curing significantly increases mold turns and production efficiency for open-mold composite manufacturing. Fiberglass-reinforced parts coated with UV-curable resins can be exposed to UV light to rapidly initiate curing, reducing cycle times and improving overall productivity.

Common applications include RV and truck panels, marine components, skylight panels, shower and bath enclosures, and a wide range of architectural products, where fast curing helps manufacturers increase throughput while maintaining consistent product quality.

Filament Winding

Filament winding is well suited to UV curing because rotating parts can be uniformly exposed to UV energy throughout the manufacturing process. UV curing can be used for B-stage curing, complete curing, or gel coat curing, helping manufacturers increase winding speeds, improve part consistency, and reduce production cycle times.

This technology is widely used to produce composite tanks and pressure vessels, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) cylinders, pipes and tubing, utility poles and masts, and a variety of sporting goods, where high-strength, lightweight composite structures are required.

Manufacturers benefit from reduced work-in-process, faster production cycles, and increased utilization of expensive tooling and mandrels.

Pultrusion

UV curing is particularly effective for continuous pultrusion processes, where rapid curing enables higher line speeds, increased production output, and improved manufacturing efficiency. Composite strength members, rods, and structural profiles can be produced with greater consistency while reducing energy consumption.

This technology is widely used to manufacture fiber optic strength members, structural composite profiles, reinforcement rods, and a variety of building products, helping manufacturers achieve high-performance composite components with reliable quality and lower operating costs.

UV Curing Solutions for Composites

Excelitas combines decades of UV curing expertise with a broad portfolio of technologies to address the diverse needs of composite manufacturers. Whether the requirement is high-speed UV LED curing, broad-spectrum UV curing, or integrated thermal processing solutions, our experts work closely with customers to develop application-specific solutions that maximize productivity and product quality.

Microwave UV Curing

Microwave UV curing systems provide high-intensity, broad-spectrum UV energy that is well suited for demanding composite manufacturing applications. These systems support rapid curing of coatings, adhesives, and specialty materials while delivering the high output levels required for continuous industrial production.

UV-LED-Härtung

Many composite structures contain substrates that are sensitive to excessive heat. UV LED curing systems deliver high-intensity UV energy with minimal heat transfer, making them ideal for curing coatings and materials used on plastics, composites, and carbon fiber structures.

Partner with Excelitas

Ready to evaluate UV curing for your composite manufacturing process?

Our application experts can help determine the optimal composite curing solution for your materials, production requirements, and performance goals.

Contact Excelitas to discuss your composite manufacturing application and discover how UV curing can transform your production process.