IST Showcases Loupe America's Flexible Drying Solution for Label Printing
IST will showcase the Swap4cure modular platform at Loupe Americas 2026. The system combines UV, LED-UV, and thermal drying and allows for quick switching between the technologies.
Label printing is undergoing a profound transformation. New substrates, water-based inks and coatings, increasing production speeds, and stricter requirements for sustainability and energy efficiency are changing the landscape. At the Loupe Americas 2026 trade show (Booth 3310, Hall B), IST will present Swap4cure, a platform that combines conventional UV curing, LED-UV, and thermal drying with infrared and hot air on a single platform. Users can select the appropriate technology depending on the print job without having to commit permanently to a single curing method. Modular quick-change systems are also designed to reduce maintenance times and simplify service work.
Energy-Efficient and Intelligent UV Curing
IST’s current generation of LEDs combines high optical output with 50 percent efficiency and enables demand-based power control. Swap4cure is complemented by Smartcure, an AI-powered assistance system that analyzes production data and determines the optimal UV dose for each print job. With an eye toward future developments, the platform also paves the way for Freecure. Through the targeted use of high-energy UVC radiation, the platform aims to support photoinitiator-free UV systems in the future and create new possibilities, particularly for food and packaging applications. According to IST, new ink and coating systems as well as future curing technologies can be integrated without having to redesign the entire machine concept.
Contact details and information on the companies and institutions presented here can be found in our interactive surface technology industry directory.