Drying tunnels and ovens

Screen printing drying tunnels and ovens

In the screen printing process, print quality depends not only on the printing machine itself, the ink, and screen preparation. Equally important is the proper curing of the freshly applied ink layer. This is the stage at which the print will be durable, resistant, and ready for further processing, packaging, or the next stage of production.

Keller as manufacturer of drying tunnels for screen printing designs and implements equipment tailored to the type of paint, material, detail, expected performance, and production workflow. The offer includes: drying tunnels for screen printing, UV drying tunnels, IR drying tunnels, DUAL UV/IR solutions, UV lamps and UV drying ovens i IR drying ovens.

Each solution is tailored to the process, not just the drying technology itself. Considerations include ink type, curing time, temperature, part size, transport method, and whether the device will operate as a standalone station or as part of a larger production line.

Screen printing drying tunnels and drying ovens

Drying tunnels They are equipped with a conveyor belt that moves printed parts through the UV, IR, or DUAL zone. The part enters the tunnel on one side, goes through a scheduled drying or curing process, and is then collected on the other side. This solution works well in mass production, where smooth flow of parts, repeatable exposure time, and the ability to connect the device to other process stages are essential.

Drying ovens They most often operate in a chamber-based system. Items or products are placed on shelves, trays, or special holders, and then removed from the same side after the process is complete. This solution is chosen when production requires a different loading method, longer drying times, batch processing, or greater control over a specific group of items.

UV drying tunnels

UV drying tunnels It is used where the paint or varnish requires curing with ultraviolet radiation. In practice, this means the print quickly transitions from a freshly applied layer to a durable coating ready for further processing.

IR drying tunnels

IR drying tunnels They utilize infrared radiation to support the drying process of paints requiring heat. This solution is used for materials and paints where controlled heating, stable temperature, and repeatable tunnel passage times are crucial.

DUAL UV/IR drying tunnels

In some processes, UV radiation or IR heating alone is not sufficient or is not optimal. In such situations, DUAL UV/IR tunnels, which combine both methods in a single device. This solution provides greater flexibility, especially when the plant works with different paints, materials, or types of parts.

UV lamps for screen printing

UV lamps for screen printing They can be part of a larger tunnel, a module integrated into the line, or a separate element supporting the curing process. The choice of lamp depends on the type of UV ink, the print surface, the expected operating speed, and the curing quality requirements.

UV and IR drying ovens

UV drying ovens i IR drying ovens They are designed for processes where batch work is more advantageous than continuous conveyor belt transport. They can be used for parts that require shelf placement, for items with unusual shapes, or when the drying process requires longer time and more controlled conditions.

Manufacturer of drying tunnels adapted to production

Keller is a manufacturer of drying tunnels and devices supporting industrial printing processes. We design solutions tailored to specific customer requirements: print type, material, detail, ink, expected performance, and available space in the production hall.

Our devices can operate as standalone stations or be integrated with screen printing machines, pad printing machines, or other line components. We provide technological consulting, design, construction, commissioning, training, and service support.

A well-chosen drying tunnel or oven helps streamline the ink curing process, reduce downtime, and increase production predictability. Therefore, when choosing a device, it's important to consider not only the lamp power or tunnel length, but the entire process: from the moment the print is applied to the finished part.