precisionworks
Flashaholic
Quite a few CPF members set their own trits with Norland Optical Adhesive (NOA61). A wide variety of UV curing methods are used but all have one common feature - longwave UV (UV-A) is generated by these light sources & this can cause eye irritation or eye damage. The Norland site says this:
Different wavelengths affect different parts of the eyes. Longer wavelengths of ultraviolet light (UV-A), which range from 315nm to 400nm are absorbed principally in the lens of the eyeball. Overexposure of the eyes to UV-A can cause a condition called "welders flash" or "arc flash". In can become apparent quickly or it may take up to 12 hours to notice. The symptoms of this are the feeling of sand in the eyes & this usually goes away within 36-72 hours. I can tell you that it isn't any fun Repeated exposure can also cause permanent damage to the lens of the eye & may eventually require cataract surgery.
Protective eyewear is rated by Optical Density (OD) at a specific wavelength. The most common (& lowest cost) eyewear transmits 0.01% of the 365nm wavelength. This is equal to OD4.
Greater optical densities are available in laser protective eyewear and can be as high as OD9 with transmission of 0.0000001%. After my first flash burn with the larger UV curing lamp I purchased OD7 protective glasses (190-532nm) & have had no recurrence of any eye problems.
NOTE - some long time users of UV curing lamps have experienced no eye problems. Other people may be more sensitive. YMMV.
$58 delivered on eBay, pretty much the going price for new laser protective glasses.
If you do decide to buy protective eyewear look for a high VLT (visible light transmission). Mine are rated at 50% & are similar to wearing very lightly tinted sunglasses. Clear glasses are also available with 93% VLT.
Some specialty lights like the one I use have a bandpass filter & there's very little UV emitted above or below 365nm:[SIZE=-1]NOA 61 is cured by ultraviolet light with maximum absorption within the range of 320-380 nanometers with peak sensitivity around 365nm. [/SIZE]
Different wavelengths affect different parts of the eyes. Longer wavelengths of ultraviolet light (UV-A), which range from 315nm to 400nm are absorbed principally in the lens of the eyeball. Overexposure of the eyes to UV-A can cause a condition called "welders flash" or "arc flash". In can become apparent quickly or it may take up to 12 hours to notice. The symptoms of this are the feeling of sand in the eyes & this usually goes away within 36-72 hours. I can tell you that it isn't any fun Repeated exposure can also cause permanent damage to the lens of the eye & may eventually require cataract surgery.
Protective eyewear is rated by Optical Density (OD) at a specific wavelength. The most common (& lowest cost) eyewear transmits 0.01% of the 365nm wavelength. This is equal to OD4.
Greater optical densities are available in laser protective eyewear and can be as high as OD9 with transmission of 0.0000001%. After my first flash burn with the larger UV curing lamp I purchased OD7 protective glasses (190-532nm) & have had no recurrence of any eye problems.
NOTE - some long time users of UV curing lamps have experienced no eye problems. Other people may be more sensitive. YMMV.
$58 delivered on eBay, pretty much the going price for new laser protective glasses.
If you do decide to buy protective eyewear look for a high VLT (visible light transmission). Mine are rated at 50% & are similar to wearing very lightly tinted sunglasses. Clear glasses are also available with 93% VLT.
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