IR-AK6 DIGI-ACTION Digital Print Dryer
Hybrid infrared and heated-air drying engineered for digital printing, primer coats, OPVs and narrow- to mid-web production.
IR-AK6 DIGI-ACTION combines one IR ACTION cassette with two HAK3 heated-air zones to support drying of water-based and oil-based chemistries. Adjustable IR output, VFD-controlled airflow, temperature monitoring, auto-height capability and zoned drying controls allow Prime UV-IR to configure the system around the substrate, coating, press speed and production width.
Get in Touch with a Product and Application Specialist
Drying for Digital Primer Coats and OPVs
Digital printing workflows often depend on primer coats and overprint varnishes to improve adhesion, print quality and finished-product performance.
Those coatings can also become a production constraint if they cannot be dried at the speed of the press.
DIGI-ACTION is designed to combine direct IR energy with high-velocity heated air so that thermal input and moisture removal can be controlled together.
Prime specifically positions the system for difficult primer coats and OPVs used in digital production, where the drying process may determine how quickly the line can run.
Key Outcomes
Dry compatible primer coats and OPVs inline.
Combine IR energy with two heated-air impingement zones.
Adjust IR power in 1% increments.
Vary blower output from 20% to 100% using VFD control.
Adjust air-stream thickness around drying requirements.
Match active IR sections to substrate width.
Adjust dryer height for different material thicknesses.
Monitor sheet temperature as production speed changes.
Exhaust moisture from the drying chamber.
Support remote monitoring and troubleshooting through Ethernet-connected controls.
Application-Engineered Digital Drying
Drying performance depends on the complete process.
Prime evaluates factors including:
primer or OPV chemistry
substrate
coating weight
web width
production speed
material thickness
target sheet temperature
available machine footprint
airflow requirements
controls integration
before recommending a DIGI-ACTION configuration.
That application review informs IR emitter selection, power level, air-stream geometry, blower speed, cassette height and temperature-control strategy.
The result is a drying system configured around the digital-production process rather than selected only by heater capacity.
Three Independent Drying Zones
Combine Direct IR Energy With Two Heated-Air Zones
DIGI-ACTION uses three independent drying zones:
1 IR ACTION cassette
2 HAK3 heated-air impingement zones
Each HAK3 zone incorporates three heated-air knives, giving the system six air knives in addition to the IR drying section.
The IR section supplies direct thermal energy while the HAK zones move heated air across the substrate to assist with moisture removal.
This gives Prime multiple process variables to configure around the chemistry and line conditions instead of relying on one drying method alone.
Infrared Energy Matched to the Chemistry
Select the IR Emitter Around the Process
The IR ACTION cassette can use:
Short-Wave IR
Fast Medium-Wave IR
Medium-Wave IR
This allows the IR source to be selected around the absorption characteristics of the coating chemistry and substrate.
Gold reflector emitters direct more than 90% of IR output toward the substrate, providing a measurable technical point that is more useful than broad claims about “maximum radiation efficiency.”
Heated-Air Impingement for Moisture Removal
Control Air Delivery Around the Drying Requirement
The two HAK3 zones direct high-velocity heated air across the substrate.
The system provides:
blower control from 20% to 100% maximum RPM
adjustable air-stream thickness
heated-air delivery matched to substrate width
chamber exhaust for moisture removal
This lets the drying process be adjusted around coating load, web speed and substrate characteristics rather than operating with one fixed airflow condition.
Match IR Output to Product Width
Use Drying Energy Where the Job Requires It
DIGI-ACTION provides on/off control of IR sections so the active drying width can be matched more closely to the substrate.
For jobs running narrower material, unused IR sections can remain inactive rather than operating across the full system width.
IR output can also vary automatically in 1% increments to respond to changes in process speed.
Auto-Height Adjustment
Accommodate Different Material Thicknesses
An available auto-height adjustment allows the dryer position to adapt to variations in material thickness.
That gives production teams more flexibility when running different substrates through the same digital-printing or coating line.
Temperature Control Across Changing Line Speeds
Maintain the Target Sheet Temperature
Automatic temperature controls can adjust system operation as process speed changes.
Rather than relying only on fixed heater settings, the dryer can use temperature information as part of the operating strategy to help maintain the required thermal conditions at different production speeds.
Controls Designed Around Digital Production
Monitor and Adjust the Dryer From the Line
Prime’s Premier control platform uses a 7-inch color HMI and can be located at the press control console.
The system can:
monitor and log IR operating data
alert operators to adverse operating conditions
provide Ethernet-connected access
control variable IR output
manage blower settings
support fieldbus or analog power control
provide soft-start emitter control
Remote Access Available
Ethernet connectivity allows operating information to be accessed remotely and can support troubleshooting and service review.
Electrical and Safety Controls
Built for Industrial Integration
DIGI-ACTION incorporates:
circuit-breaker protection against short circuits and overload conditions
380–480 VAC, 50/60 Hz, three-phase electrical compatibility
inlet-air filtration
CE, CSA, RoHS and UL-compliant electrical components
Where DIGI-ACTION Fits
Applications
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Hybrid drying for digital-printing workflows using compatible water-based or oil-based chemistries.
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A particularly strong fit where primer coats are applied inline before printing and drying speed can limit press throughput. Prime specifically recommends DIGI-ACTION for digital primer-coating applications.
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Drying of compatible OPVs applied inline as part of digital or hybrid print production.
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Can be configured for sheetfed applications where hybrid IR and heated-air drying are appropriate.
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Drying of primers, coatings and inks used in compatible packaging applications.
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Integration into narrow- and mid-web converting lines where coating chemistry, line speed and substrate width drive system design.
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Can also be evaluated for industrial coating and finishing applications requiring combined IR and heated-air drying.
Technical Capabilities
| Capability | IR-AK6 DIGI-ACTION |
|---|---|
| Drying Technologies | Infrared + heated air impingement |
| Drying Zones | 1 IR ACTION + 2 HAK3 |
| HAK Air Knives | 6 total |
| IR Emitter Options | Short Wave, Fast Medium Wave, Medium Wave |
| IR Reflector | Gold |
| Reflected IR Output | >90% toward substrate |
| Heater Output Range | 20%–100% |
| IR Power Adjustment | 1% increments |
| Blower Control | VFD, 20%–100% RPM |
| Active Width Control | On/off IR sections |
| Air-Stream Thickness | Adjustable |
| Auto-Height | Optional |
| Temperature Control | Automatic |
| Moisture Exhaust | Yes |
| Inlet Air Filters | Yes |
| Operator Interface | Prime Premier 7 in. HMI |
| Connectivity | Ethernet |
| Electrical | 380–480 VAC, 50/60 Hz, 3 phase |
| Component Compliance | CE, CSA, RoHS, UL |
Support Beyond Installation
Support for the Life of the Drying System
Prime’s involvement continues after installation and startup.
Customers have access to technical support, remote system review where enabled, OEM replacement components and controls expertise throughout the operating life of the equipment.
As chemistry, substrates, press requirements or controls change, Prime can also evaluate replacement components and system updates intended to keep installed equipment productive.
Talk Through Your Application
Get in Touch with a Product and Application Specialist
Primer chemistry, OPV chemistry, substrate, coating weight, material thickness, line speed, width and available machine space all affect drying-system design.
Talk with a Prime application specialist about the process and determine whether DIGI-ACTION — or another Prime IR / air-impingement configuration — is the appropriate fit.
Related Products
For broader sheetfed, packaging, converting and industrial applications that do not specifically center on digital primer/OPV drying.
For sheetfed press delivery applications requiring a sheetfed-specific hybrid dryer configuration.
For applications where infrared drying is the primary requirement and dual HAK zones are not necessary.