Emulsion curing trouble

select1 · November 20th, 2007, 11:42 AM

I am having a really hard time curing this new Murakami PRO emulsion. I used to use Chromaline UDC - ACE and had no issues except for price. My sales rep suggested this Muakami emulsion and I can not get it to cure. I am using a Nu-arc tri light exposure unit (2005) with a brand new 6000 watt bulb. Of course I have done exposure tests and it needs almost 700 light units to cure a 160 mesh screen. I cure 400 micron high density in 450 light units. I could always go back to the UDC_ACE though it is SO expensive. Any ideas? Is anyone else using this stuff? Any other recomendations?

Thanks,

Ian Keller

zsvpablo · November 21st, 2007, 06:30 PM

That emulsion is a dual cure, are you mixing in the correct diazo with that product. It sounds like you are trying to use it straight.

Greg hamrick · November 25th, 2007, 05:38 PM

zsvpablo has a point. And if you want an emulsion, priced reasonable as well and don't want to use a dual-cure type, Kiwo Polycol Aqwa is pretty darn good. You can get it from Union inks. The exposure time with this stuff is super fast. I guess it soaks in the UV light better because it is light blue in color.............like the UV light...........

select1 · December 11th, 2007, 09:29 AM

I am now beginning to think it is my exposure unit. I have tried a few different emulsions at this point and I am having the same results with all of them, pre sensitized and those that need to be sensitized. I am exposing yellow 140 mesh for 500 seconds and still have under exposed screens. My bulb is new and the voltage going into the machine is 210 and the machine is set at 210. My glass is also spotless. The is absolutely mind boggling and none of the manufacturers seem to have any answers.

Any ideas??

Ian Keller

zsvpablo · December 11th, 2007, 11:48 AM

You might be right about the exposure unit, let me ask you this. What type of unit do you have? Manufacture? Fluorescent or Metal Halide? 210v sounds to me like it would be a Metal Halide but the power supply to the bulb might be bad. The light may look like it's on but if there is anything wrong with the power supply you may not be getting the true wattage out of that bulb. Best thing to do is rule that out by talking to the manufacture of the unit to see how you can troubleshoot the Power Supply to the Bulb. Please be careful that thing can hurt you pretty bad and you should hire an electrician or a tech to check that unit out. Good luck.

select1 · December 14th, 2007, 10:35 AM

Thank you very much!