US-based trade shop SGX has collaborated with Miraclon on a study into the performance of the latter’s Shine LED Lamp Kit on different LAMS (Laser Ablatable Mask System) flexo plate types, in comparison to traditional fluorescent exposure systems.
The study evaluated the performance of the Shine technology on five different LAMS flexo plate types, including both round-top and flat-top dot plates, as well as a thicker plate typically used for corrugated printing. According to the results, the LED lamp system consistently outperformed fluorescent bulbs in key metrics, including exposure time, uniformity, and dot reproduction.
Using four identical exposure frames – two equipped with fluorescent bulbs and two with Shine LED lamps – the study measured performance across back and main exposures. The LED-equipped units achieved up to five times faster exposure times, double the plate floor uniformity, and sharper highlight dots and tonal transitions, said Miraclon. Additionally, the LED lamps maintained stable light output throughout testing, addressing one of the key drawbacks of fluorescent bulbs which is gradual degradation over time.
“Many platemakers have been asking whether Shine LED Lamps could deliver the benefits of LED exposure beyond Flexcel NX Plates,” said John Prindl, director of global product support at Miraclon. “This study proves that these lamps not only work but excel; offering faster exposure, improved uniformity, and better dot reproduction across a wide range of LAMS plates.”
Follow-up print trials confirmed that plates exposed using Shine LED lamps matched or exceeded the print quality of those made using fluorescent light sources, with round-top dot plates showing notable improvement in dot consistency.
SGX’s vice president of innovations and continuous improvement, Rick Best, said the company’s decision to evaluate the technology stemmed from its use of a range of flexo plate types. “We wanted to ensure Shine LED lamps could deliver consistent results across our full portfolio,” he said. “The results confirmed that they do, making the lamp kit a strong upgrade option for shops still using fluorescent exposure systems.”
The Shine LED Lamp Kit is designed to retrofit into existing fluorescent exposure frames, allowing trade shops and printers to upgrade without purchasing a new LED exposure unit, explained Miraclon. The lamps provide over 5000 hours of consistent UV output, compared to around 800 hours for typical fluorescent tubes, reducing waste and downtime associated with inconsistent exposure.
