PART/ DRF F6 and DRF F10T
DRF Series Optical Fiber UV Curing Systems
Our Fusion UV DRF Series of UV curing systems are used to cure photoresponsive coatings, coloring inks, and ribbon matrix polymers in the production of optical fiber and cable. These microwave-powered UV curing systems include the DRF F6 and F10T systems, which provide high power and high intensity for the curing energy required to meet the sustained high-speed demands in today's production environment.
The DRF Series has been the UV curing system of choice for fiber manufacturing and coating operations worldwide due to its unique optical system incorporated in the lamp, which delivers highly focused, intense UV energy. These lamps are used for curing photoresponsive coatings, coloring inks, and ribbon matrix polymers. The DRF F6 and F10T secondary reflector systems are available with 10- or 6-inch irradiators (lamp modules).
Lamps contain mercury. Manage in accordance with local, state or federal disposal laws.
- Electrodeless bulb available in different spectral outputs
- Lamp module avaialble in either 6: inch or 10-inch, with choice of power levels
- Power supply matched to lamp module
- Light shield and secondary elliptical reflector housing (F6 for 6: inch or F10T for 10-inch), with secondary reflector, quartz tube, optional nitrogen fittings
- Blowers for cooling air matched to the system (optional)
- Microwave-powered lamp for power stability and spectral consistency over long periods of time.
- Patented secondary reflector system produces the highest UV irradiance per watt of power of any lamp system.
- Modular design facilitates easy maintenance and replacement.
- Modular power supplies can be grouped for electrical control simplicity. Control flexibility is enhanced by the modular design, easy control settings, and prewired interconnections.
- Interchangeable bulbs allowing the matching of bulb energy to the photochemical response to yield the highest cure efficiency.
- An optional easy align lamp mounting system ensures accurate alignment during lamp replacement.
- Optical fiber coating
- Coloring inks
- Ribbon matrix polymers
- Cable marking
- Electrodeless bulb available in different spectral outputs
- Lamp module avaialble in either 6: inch or 10-inch, with choice of power levels
- Power supply matched to lamp module
- Light shield and secondary elliptical reflector housing (F6 for 6: inch or F10T for 10-inch), with secondary reflector, quartz tube, optional nitrogen fittings
- Blowers for cooling air matched to the system (optional)
- Microwave-powered lamp for power stability and spectral consistency over long periods of time.
- Patented secondary reflector system produces the highest UV irradiance per watt of power of any lamp system.
- Modular design facilitates easy maintenance and replacement.
- Modular power supplies can be grouped for electrical control simplicity. Control flexibility is enhanced by the modular design, easy control settings, and prewired interconnections.
- Interchangeable bulbs allowing the matching of bulb energy to the photochemical response to yield the highest cure efficiency.
- An optional easy align lamp mounting system ensures accurate alignment during lamp replacement.
- Optical fiber coating
- Coloring inks
- Ribbon matrix polymers
- Cable marking
Additional Resources
The DRF Series of UV curing systems is designed specifically for high-speed UV curing in optical fiber manufacturing. It is used in a wide range of coating processes, including:
- Optical fiber buffer coatings
- Coloring inks
- Ribbon matrix polymers
- Small-diameter cable marking
Its focused secondary elliptical reflector system delivers intense, uniform UV energy around the substrate, ensuring a complete and even cure. With modular lamp housings, sealed quartz tube enclosures, and air-cooled operation, the DRF Series provides reliable performance in fast-paced fiber optic processing environments.
Each DRF Optical Fiber system uses a Noblelight microwave-powered electrodeless lamp that provides stable power and consistent UV output over long periods. These lamps reach maximum curing power within seconds of ignition and are designed for continuous operation.
The optical fiber passes through a sealed quartz tube aligned at the secondary focal point of a secondary elliptical reflector system, ensuring full-surface UV exposure with minimal stray radiation.
Excelitas offers multiple bulb types with varied UV spectral outputs to match different photoresponsive coatings. Reflector options for DRF Optical Fiber curing systems include the R500 for full-spectrum high reflectance and Dichroic reflectors to block unwanted visible and infrared energy. An optional, patented back reflector collects light energy and delivers it uniformly around the target, substantially increasing the efficiency of the full elliptical reflector.
Housings of the F10T, F10T2, and F6 can be configured with fittings like nitrogen ports, sealing rings, and adjustable iris assemblies. The F10T2 model includes a fixed skirt and allows tool-free observation of the quartz tube and the product during operation.
DRF UV curing systems support multiple lamp modules ranging from compact 1.8 kW units (F300S) to high-power 6 kW systems (F600, LightHammer® 10H Mark II, LightHammer 10 Mark III). Some units allow selectable power levels (e.g., 65% or 100%), while others offer variable output from 35% to 100% depending on the power supply.
Lamps can also be switched on or off individually in multi-lamp setups, allowing curing energy to be adjusted based on line speed or coating thickness. An optional easy align lamp mounting system ensures accurate alignment during lamp replacement.
The DRF Series of UV curing systems is air-cooled using a push-pull airflow system with positive and negative-pressure blowers. The sealed quartz tube is isolated using a Teflon® gasket, while the housing itself includes end plates for mounting various fittings. Lamps can be mounted in any orientation, and optional alignment kits are available to streamline maintenance and improve repeatability.
While both systems use microwave-powered electrodeless lamps, the DRF Series is specifically optimized for optical fiber and ribbon curing, with tightly focused UV output and quartz tube isolation. DRF Optical Fiber curing systems support a broader range of bulb types, spectral tuning, and reflector combinations, including back reflectors and adjustable iris assemblies.
In contrast, the DRC Series is designed for wire and cable curing, with vertical lamp orientation and square shield extensions for continuous inline use across cable diameters up to 2 inches.