UV Exposure unit for photogravure

DIY Instructions

Cut a 20 x 20 cm hole in the middle of a piece of plywood or laminated chipboard. A "heat shield" with a similar cut can be placed on top (use a thin offset plate - they can be cut into shape with a normal pair of scissors). Screw the plate with the heat shield onto the top of the cabinet. Cut out a thin 40 x 25 cm piece of sheet metal (A) that can be shoved over the hole. Three edge strips (B), which function as guide rails, are fastened to the top board with screws. An approx. 2 cm long bolt (C) screwed through the metal sheet functions as a stop. Bend four offset plates (for A4 prints) along the edges and staple them together for the lamphouse. Place it on the top board around the hole and staple it on the three sides where the metal sheet is not to be pulled out. Drill a hole in the side of the cabinet where you want the air tube for the vacuum pump to go out. Hang the UV lamp in the lamphouse approx. 2 cm above the metal sheet. Place the vacuum frame in the bottom of the cabinet. When you are to expose the printing plate, close the door and pull out the metal sheet (A) - and push it back in after the exposure. You can use the exposure box in a room full of daylight without causing any damage to the photopolymer film

Materials:
1 kitchen cabinet with door
1 plywood board 1 offset plate (heat shield) 60 x 58 cm
1 thin sheet of metal (copper, zinc...) 40 x 25 cm 1 100 x 0.5 cm edge strip
1 30 mm bolt with nut 4 offset plates for A4 prints
1 UV lamp HPR 125 W with choke coil (mercury vapour lamp)
1 vacuum frame with air tube