--- title: UV Curing slug: process/uv-curing docTags: createdAt: 2024-06-28T23:21:32.235Z --- # Overview ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/Zp2Pu3vKpdcy3sV_joeha_image.png) The principles outlined in this course are standard UV curing protocols. Some resins may have additional special conditions to be aware of. Reference the [individual material courses](docId\:qsOQBEdCnaBfdx656tlY6), [Lab Reference Grids](docId\:UJF4K0NY4lYE74ZoHX1R-) and [Dental Post-Processing Grids](docId\:BpjqrhGaWLhCHkvgPpY2L) for more information. A quick reference guide for general steps in dispensing can be found in the [Process Overview](docId:0k1g5pBC2uXr8zJqrhLcR). # Basics **UV curing** exposes parts to additional UV light after the printing and washing process. ## One-part Resins - **Completes the curing process** started during printing, giving parts their final mechanical properties. - Makes parts safe to handle. - Required to cure all one-part, single-cure resins.  ## Two-part Resins UV curing may be used with select two-part resins prior to packing parts in salt. - Salt baking is a technique used in thermal curing and will be covered in [Thermal Curing](docId:7NE6rGdaSzpAPOHH5QOzm). **Parts still require a thermal curing process even if UV cured first: ** - To reach their final mechanical properties. - To be safe to handle. **Parts printed in resins such as RPU 70 and RPU 130** **may require UV curing prior to salt baking per resin protocols.** - UV light may be used in short duration to provide an additional thin layer of green state curing on the surface of a part. - The thin layer of UV curing minimizes the chances of salt sticking to the part during salt baking. **Generally, UV curing is not recommended for the following resins** - EPX 82, EPX 150 - No benefit to using UV curing prior to salt baking. UV curing simply adds an extra, unnecessary step. - Elastomeric resins such as EPU 46 and SIL 30 - Elastomer resins do not use salt baking because they will either retain the salt on their surface or retain a permanent abrasion. - FPU 50 - UV curing can cause brittleness. # Curing Dynamics Most UV ovens project light from the top-down. The Dreve PCU LED is the rare exception, projecting light from above and below. - **Only surfaces that are struck by light are cured. **Undersides of parts or areas that are in shadow are not cured.  - Each part will need to be rotated until all surfaces have been exposed to the UV light. The example part pictured below must be rotated **four times** in order to expose all surfaces to UV light. ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/LDq4uOBsNqtsOPRNrlgvH_image.png) Keep this information in mind when positioning parts in the UV oven for curing. # Safety **All resins** - Put on fresh gloves before starting the curing process to avoid resin contamination from previous steps.  - Always use a gloved hand on the oven door or to push buttons on the oven because these surfaces may be contaminated with uncured resin. - Never handle an uncured part with bare hands because you will expose yourself to uncured resin. **One-part resins ** - Keep gloves on until all sides of the part are fully cured. - Always use a freshly gloved hand to remove fully cured parts from oven to check for tackiness before handling with bare hand. - After the part is fully cured, remove the part from the lab without touching any contaminated processing areas. **Two-part resins** - Keep gloves on throughout process because parts are not fully cured until they go through thermal curing. ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/RCztaIU6s2XExDdiY-da-_image.png" size="70" width="1680" height="945" position="center" showCaption="false"} # Workflow UV curing is a relatively simple process: - Place parts in UV oven. - Set the timer or select the program appropriate for the resin used. - Start the curing process. - Rotate parts if necessary and repeat curing. - Check parts for tackiness and repeat curing if necessary. - Remove parts from UV oven. ## Validated UV Ovens Click the links below to learn how to operate specific UV curing units. ### [APM LED UV-Cube III](docId\:FrUV7Y7efpnNQlOkhl8X5) ### [Dreve PCU LED](docId\:JLgbnwUiOTYwrCRMNPTbk) ### [Dreve PCU 90](docId\:F5w7hnxy_A-lFY0vgQIPe) ### [Dymax ECE 5000](docId\:PxK8GoZ0Subzq-Y_FqMIm) ### [Opticure LED Cube](docId\:a-RBlDw-6uh22zbkG4ZgN) ## Finishing UV Curing ::::VerticalSplit{layout="middle"} :::VerticalSplitItem - While the part is going through its final UV cycle, change to a **new pair of gloves. ** - Your old gloves are contaminated from handling the uncured part/tray. Continuing to use these gloves will spread uncured resin to your freshly cured part. - When the final UV cycle is complete, test the part for tackiness with your freshly gloved hand. - If the part is not tacky, remove it from the oven and move it to a contamination-free area. - If the part is still tacky, follow the resin protocol to remove tackiness. ::: :::VerticalSplitItem ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/3CesIL2dYMCHPZvRjp8S0/3zmS7PwHzGBqWBsYUsfKA_image.png) ::: ::::