IR-HAK ACTION Sheetfed Drying System
Hybrid infrared and heated air-impingement drying engineered for sheetfed press applications.
IR-HAK ACTION combines infrared radiation, convection, and high-velocity heated air to dry water-based inks, coatings, and adhesives on sheetfed presses. Adjustable IR output, zoned controls, substrate-width matching, and retrofit-oriented cassette design allow Prime UV-IR to configure the dryer around the press, chemistry, substrate, and production requirements.
Get in Touch with a Product and Application Specialist
Hybrid Drying for Sheetfed Production
Sheetfed drying performance depends on more than heat alone.
Ink coverage, coating chemistry, substrate type, press speed, sheet temperature, and available delivery space all affect how a drying system should be configured.
IR-HAK ACTION combines:
infrared radiation
heated air impingement
convection
variable airflow
zoned power control
to give Prime more control over how drying energy is delivered to the sheet.
The system can be integrated into sheetfed press delivery sections, including upsweep and extended-delivery configurations.
Key Outcomes
Dry water-based inks, coatings, and adhesives inline.
Combine IR and heated air-impingement technologies in one drying system.
Match active IR zones to substrate width.
Adjust IR power in 1% increments.
Vary heated-air output around press speed, substrate, and ink coverage.
Retrofit into compatible sheetfed delivery sections.
Access IR cassettes quickly for inspection and service.
Monitor operating conditions through Prime Premier controls.
Application-Engineered Drying
Dryer selection should start with the press and the chemistry.
Prime evaluates:
press configuration
delivery geometry
substrate
ink or coating type
sheet width
ink coverage
press speed
sheet temperature
available footprint
electrical and controls requirements
before recommending an IR-HAK ACTION configuration.
That application review informs cassette placement, IR emitter type, active-zone layout, air-impingement settings, power control, and system integration.
Infrared Energy Matched to the Chemistry and Substrate
Select the IR Wavelength Around the Application
Prime’s IR ACTION Cassette can use:
Short-Wave IR
Fast Medium-Wave IR
Medium-Wave IR
These emitter options allow the drying system to be configured around the absorption characteristics of the chemistry and substrate.
Rather than treating all water-based inks and coatings the same, Prime can evaluate which IR wavelength is better suited to the application.
Direct IR Energy Toward the Sheet
Reflector Design Focused on Useful Energy Delivery
Prime IR emitters use gold reflectors to redirect infrared energy toward the substrate.
The cassette also incorporates additional reflector geometry around the emitter zone to focus radiation toward the sheet while reducing unnecessary heating of surrounding equipment.
Prime’s current technology documentation states that gold reflectors return more than 90% of IR output toward the substrate.
Heated Air Impingement for Moisture Removal
Add High-Velocity Heated Air to the Drying Process
The HAK section uses heated air impingement to move air across the sheet and assist with moisture removal from water-based inks, coatings, and adhesives.
Each HAK3 drying zone incorporates three heated air knives, with airflow controlled to match the production conditions.
Variable-frequency control allows the air-impingement system to be adjusted around factors such as:
ink coverage
substrate type
press speed
drying demand
Match Active Drying Width to the Sheet
Use Energy Where the Job Requires It
Prime Premier controls allow IR sections to be activated based on substrate width.
For jobs running narrower sheets, inactive sections can remain off rather than heating the full dryer width.
IR output can also be adjusted automatically in 1% increments to respond to process speed and substrate temperature.
This gives the production team more control over drying energy than a fixed-output system.
Adjustable Cassette Position
Accommodate Material Thickness and Press Geometry
The IR emitter zone allows the cassette distance from the substrate to be adjusted.
That provides additional flexibility when accommodating differences in material thickness or press layout while maintaining the desired relationship between the IR source and the sheet.
Designed for Retrofit and Service Access
Slide-Out IR Cassette for Faster Access
The IR ACTION cassette is designed to slide in and out of the dryer assembly, giving service personnel direct access to the emitter area for inspection, cleaning, and maintenance.
The IR-HAK system is also designed for retrofit into compatible sheetfed press delivery sections, including upsweep and extended-delivery arrangements.
Controls Designed Around Production
Monitor and Adjust the Dryer From the Press
Prime Premier controls can be integrated at the press console using a 7-inch color HMI.
The control platform can:
monitor IR system operating data
log system conditions
alert operators to adverse conditions
adjust IR power output
control active drying zones
manage HAK airflow through VFD control
support Ethernet connectivity for remote access
Power Delivery and Soft Start
Controlled Power Delivery to the IR Emitters
The IR-HAK ACTION system supports analog or fieldbus-based power control.
A soft-start function gradually increases current as the emitter reaches operating condition, while solid-state relay control supports variable IR power output in 1% increments.
Where IR-HAK ACTION Fits
Applications
-
Drying of water-based inks and coatings in sheetfed press delivery sections where inline drying can reduce waiting time before downstream finishing.
-
Hybrid IR and heated-air drying for sheetfed packaging applications using compatible water-based coatings and inks.
-
Drying applications where moisture removal and controlled surface heating are required.
-
Existing sheetfed presses where an IR/air-impingement dryer needs to be integrated into the available delivery geometry.
Technical Capabilities
| Capability | IR-HAK ACTION |
|---|---|
| Drying Technologies | Infrared + heated air impingement + convection |
| IR Emitter Options | Short Wave, Fast Medium Wave, Medium Wave |
| IR Output Control | 1% increments |
| Width Control | Individually selectable IR sections |
| Air Control | VFD-controlled HAK airflow |
| IR Reflectors | Gold reflector + multi-reflector cassette design |
| Cassette Access | Slide-in / slide-out |
| Cassette Position | Adjustable relative to substrate |
| Dryer Zones | Dual HAK3 zones |
| HAK3 Configuration | Three heated air knives per zone |
| HMI | Prime Premier 7 in. |
| Connectivity | Ethernet |
| Power Control | Analog or fieldbus |
| Soft Start | Yes |
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 diagnostics on supported systems, OEM replacement components, controls expertise, and service assistance throughout the operating life of the equipment.
As press requirements or controls change, Prime can also evaluate replacement components and system updates intended to keep installed drying equipment productive.
Talk Through Your Application
Is IR-HAK ACTION the Right Dryer for Your Sheetfed Press?
Ink or coating chemistry, substrate, sheet width, press speed, delivery geometry, ink coverage, and available utilities all affect drying-system design.
Talk with a Prime application specialist about the press and determine whether IR-HAK ACTION — or another Prime IR / air-impingement configuration — is the appropriate fit.
Related Products
For applications requiring another hybrid IR and air-impingement configuration within Prime’s dryer family.
For applications centered more specifically on IR drying without the same hybrid HAK configuration.
For digital-printing applications where the drying process and machine configuration differ from conventional sheetfed production.