EIT MicroCure MC-2A, MicroCure DataReader User Manual

Electronic Instrumentation and Technology

(EIT)

LLC

MicroCure® Radiometer and

MicroCure® DataReader

User Manual

MicroCure® Radiometer and MicroCure® DataReader

309 Kelly’s Ford Plaza SE

Leesburg VA 20175 USA

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Web: www.eit.com

EIT Part Number: P/N IM-0110 Rev A Issued April 2019

Table of Contents

Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1

Product Overview ................................................................................................ 2

Establishing a Cure or Process Window/Process Parameters .............................. 4

Handling and Safety Precautions ......................................................................... 6

Operation: ............................................................................................................ 7

Error Messages .................................................................................................... 8

Maintenance ......................................................................................................... 8

Appendix A MicroCure Product Specifications............................................... 11

Appendix B DataReader Product Specifications ............................................. 12

Appendix C Regulatory Statement .................................................................... 13

Appendix D Technical Support, MicroCure Disposal and Warranty................. 14

MicroCure®, MicroCure® DataReader, EIT® and the EIT Logos below are registered trademarks of

Electronic Instrumentation and Technology, LLC, Leesburg, Virginia

EIT Part Number: P/N IM-0110 Rev A Issued April 2019

Introduction

The EIT MicroCure® system addresses UV measurement and process control in areas where using a standard
radiometer is difficult due to size and space limitations. The MicroCure’s compact size allows it to fit into, and
adapt to a variety of demanding physical and thermal environments. This makes it possible to obtain reliable UV
measurements in curing applications that would ordinarily be inaccessible to larger radiometers.

Applications for the MicroCure include:

• Narrow conveyor curing such as credit card processing

• Small container curing (bottles, cans, tubes, etc.)

• Batch applications (semiconductor printing, small part bonders, etc.)

• Printing including digital and pad

• Part curing where flood lamps in fixtures are used

• Dimensional fixtures for curing medical products such as catheters

• Different size objects such as furniture edges, headlamps, dashboards or wood moldings

• Flexible light guide systems where the MicroCure can fit in with the part

• Disc Manufacturing (CD/DVD)

EIT Part Number: P/N IM-0110 Rev A Issued April 2019

Page 1

Product Overview

MicroCure UV Radiometer

• Small (1.3” x 0.95” x 0.25” /33 x 24.13 x 6.35 mm) microprocessor based,

electro-optical instrument that measures the total energy density
(Joules/cm2) and peak irradiance (Watts/cm2)

• Lightweight (0.33 ounces/9.4 grams), battery powered radiometer with a fast

sample rate (2048 Hz), adapts to a variety of demanding physical and
thermal measurement environments where a larger radiometer will not fit

• Each MicroCure is good for 200 readings or one year; whichever comes first

• Available Bands

o UVA (320-390 nm)
o UVV (390-445 nm)

NOTE: The responsivity of the EIT MicroCure UVA and UVV bands are similar but are not identical to the UVA
and UVV bands used in other EIT instruments.

• Available Dynamic Ranges:

o UVA: 10 Watt, 2 Watt or 200 milliWatt ranges
o UVV: 10 Watt or 2 Watt ranges

• Suggested Operating Ranges:

Unit Type Suggested Operating Range

o 10 Watt (UVA or UVV): 500 mW/cm2 to 10 W/cm2
o 2 Watt (UVA or UVV): 100 mW/cm2 to 2 W/cm2
o 200 milliWatt (UVA): 10 mW/cm2 to 200 mW/cm2

• Once activated, the MicroCure should be exposed to UV irradiance in the Suggested Operating Range within

four minutes.

• If the MicroCure is not exposed to UV above the start threshold (point at which the MicroCure starts counting

UV) within four minutes, it will enter ‘sleep’ mode and not count the current ‘wake-up’ session as a ‘reading’

o See Appendix A for the approximate start threshold values needed to start the radiometer
o For best performance, the MicroCure should be used in the Suggested Operating Range

• The MicroCure utilizes the two halves of the metal case to transfer data. Do not “short circuit” the two case halves

on metal. This includes having the cases halves touch metal and/or handling them with conductive coatings
and/or moisture on your hands. See the section on Handling and Safety Precautions for further details.

MicroCure DataReader

• The DataReader is a portable device used to communicate download and display UV data collected by the

MicroCure radiometer.

• The “SELECT” button toggles the display between Energy Density and Irradiance values.

MicroCure showing range

(10 Watts) and band (UVA)

• The display shows the UV band of the MicroCure radiometer.

• The “RESET” button is used to “activate” a MicroCure unit and place it into “active data collection” mode.

• When activated, the DataReader display indicates the number of resets (r) and the count of subsequent reading

above threshold that an individual MicroCure unit has undergone.

• Example: Reset value of ‘r 118’ is shown below. On the next reset, a reset value of ‘r 119’ is shown

EIT Part Number: P/N IM-0110 Rev A Issued April 2019

Page 2

Top Left:

Top Right:

• The DataReader utilizes a standard user-changeable nine volt battery

• The DataReader has a low battery symbol, auto shut-off and works with all MicroCure units.

Bottom Left: DataReader display showing
irradiance value of 1.435 W/cm2 in UVA

Data Reader with Display

Top display shows an ‘r’ value of 118. After a

reading, the next reset will show an ‘r’ value of 119

Bottom Right: DataReader display showing Energy Density
value of 1.197 J/cm2 in UVA

EIT Part Number: P/N IM-0110 Rev A Issued April 2019

Page 3

Establishing a Cure or Process Window/Process Parameters

A cure, or process window, is a set of parameters that defines the equipment/process/source conditions necessary to
ensure proper curing.

Ideally, to establish a process window, a series of tests are run for different combinations of coatings, substrates and UV
sources so that a history can be obtained. This history helps establish the baseline parameters for various combinations
and provides important information for process control. The operator can compare a current measurement to the
established process window and adjust the process to obtain the desired curing results. A cure window assists in
troubleshooting when deficiencies in a UV process are found.

By analogy, when baking a cake, two process (oven) variables or process parameters are utilized:

1. Oven temperature

2. Cooking time

Correspondingly, with a UV process, there are three UV source variables or process parameters utilized:

1. Wavelength(s) of the UV source(s). This is controlled by the type of bulb used

2. Power (Irradiance, sometimes called Intensity, measured in W/cm2

3. Energy (Energy Density, (sometimes called Dose), measured in J/cm2

Each of these parameters can affect the degree of cure at the surface, at the substrate, or throughout the material.

1. Wavelength: The wavelength produced by a UV source is based on the source type. UV Broadband Sources are

mercury-based and characterized by a “broad” (i.e. wide) output across the UV spectrum. Typical bulb types include
mercury (sometimes called ‘H’), mercury-iron (‘D’) or mercury-gallium (‘V’). The actual spectral output can vary
from supplier to supplier.

2. Power/Irradiance: Irradiance is the “brightness” of the light source. Irradiance is measured in Watts (W/cm2) or

milliWatts (mW/cm2) per square centimeter. Irradiance is sometimes also called intensity.

Irradiance is important for adhesion of the ink/coating the substrate. Irradiance generally decreases with the square
of distance as you move farther from the UV source and/or as the light source output diminishes (reduced power)
for any reason. If you move twice as far away from a typical broadband source, you would expect the irradiance to
decrease by the square (22) of the distance change and be approximately ¼ (25%) of the original value. This
inverse square law does not always hold true for UV LEDs.

3. Energy/Energy Density: Energy density (sometimes referred to as “dose”) is a measure of how much power was

received over a period of time. Energy is measured in Joules (J/cm2) or milliJoules (mJ/cm2) per square centimeter.
The Energy Density value is important for the complete cure of the material. It is sometimes the only value shared
by a formulator.

Note: In a UV process, variables or process parameters related to the formulation (ink, adhesive, coating, etc.)
and substrate must also be tracked and controlled. Examples include can formulation thickness and substrate
dyne levels.

EIT Part Number: P/N IM-0110 Rev A Issued April 2019

Page 4