IST is running live demonstrations on the press of both the DryStar LE (Low Energy) UV dryer and the regular DryStar UV. Both UV dryers are fitted in cassettes to allow changeover in less than a minute.

The Drystar UV features three UV lamps, each of which can be adjusted from 60-200W/cm output. The energy-efficient Drystar LE UV features between one and three lamps, with the same adjustable output.

Capable of drying both conventional and UV inks, the Drystar LE UV can cure four-colour UV jobs with just one lamp, according to Heidelberg, while at least two lamps are normally needed for jobs with a UV coating.

However, while the technology allows printers to be more energy efficient, Heidelberg Peripheral Systems product manager Martin Hirning warned that the cost of the required high-reactive inks and coatings would typically be higher.

"If you’re using one lamp to cure ink and coating in one go you need to have high-reactive inks and coatings, which contain a higher concentration of photoinitiators, making them more expensive to produce," he said.

"In Japan, high-reactive inks and regular inks are offered for the same price, but I think this is the only country. However, some print shops outside Japan will be able to negotiate a better price with their inks and coatings supplier. It is definitely a good idea to save energy and costs when high-reactive and regular inks have no price difference," he added.