Hi all, long time lurker here but first time poster.
I'm looking for a UV/barely visible wavelength laser that will be used to cure epoxy resin that is cured best with wavelengths between 350-415 nm.
In the past I have been using a UV flashlight to cure it, but for larger jobs where the resin layer is thick, the power of the flashlight is not enough, leaving a tacky and slightly soft finish on the resin, not curing it completely, no matter how long the light is shone at it.
A colleague has recommended a laser, as that is what they use in his workshop (it's a mains powered one), but as some of the work I do can be in places where mains electricity isn't available, I am looking for a handheld solution.
Cost of the unit is a secondary concern, but safety of use is the primary one. I will be wearing goggles (of course) but what I would like to balance is the power output to be able to penetrate deeply into an epoxy layer, but not be enough to burn anything as I usually work on plastic materials (pipes, insulation) which can be quite flammable.
Lastly, if this laser could be a constant duty unit it would be fantastic so I don't have to worry about overheating the diode and damaging the laser.
Anyway, sorry for the long winded first post, and thanks everyone for your recommendations!
I'm looking for a UV/barely visible wavelength laser that will be used to cure epoxy resin that is cured best with wavelengths between 350-415 nm.
In the past I have been using a UV flashlight to cure it, but for larger jobs where the resin layer is thick, the power of the flashlight is not enough, leaving a tacky and slightly soft finish on the resin, not curing it completely, no matter how long the light is shone at it.
A colleague has recommended a laser, as that is what they use in his workshop (it's a mains powered one), but as some of the work I do can be in places where mains electricity isn't available, I am looking for a handheld solution.
Cost of the unit is a secondary concern, but safety of use is the primary one. I will be wearing goggles (of course) but what I would like to balance is the power output to be able to penetrate deeply into an epoxy layer, but not be enough to burn anything as I usually work on plastic materials (pipes, insulation) which can be quite flammable.
Lastly, if this laser could be a constant duty unit it would be fantastic so I don't have to worry about overheating the diode and damaging the laser.
Anyway, sorry for the long winded first post, and thanks everyone for your recommendations!