OmniCure AC Series vs SkyBeam
Both of these are UV LED curing systems, so this is not an arc-versus-LED comparison; the real difference is architecture. The OmniCure AC4 heads (AC450 / AC475) are single-wavelength, air-cooled area sources built to lay down a uniform dose across a 50 or 75 mm strip on an inline conveyor, with timing and multi-head automation handled by a separate OmniCure controller. The SkyBeam is a self-contained 4-channel system whose channels can each address a different curing point and a different wavelength (365 / 385 / 395 / 405 nm, model-dependent) with per-channel programmable timers built in.
OmniCure AC Series (AC4 small-area: AC450 / AC450P / AC475 / AC475P) vs SkyBeam, side by side
| Spec | OmniCure AC Series (AC4 small-area: AC450 / AC450P / AC475 / AC475P) | SkyBeam (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Source type | Air-cooled UV LED small-area / linear curing head (AC450 / AC475) | 4-channel UV LED |
| Wavelength | 365 nm +/- 5 or 395 nm +/- 5, one selected per head (no native 385 or 405 nm) | 365 / 385 / 395 / 405 nm (model-dependent) |
| Peak intensity | 395 nm head: about 8.0 W/cm2 at 1 mm, 5.7 at 10 mm, 3.7 at 20 mm. 365 nm head: about 4.0 W/cm2 at 1 mm, falling with distance | Model-dependent |
| Channels / heads | Single LED head per unit; active area 50 x 25 mm (AC450) or 75 x 25 mm (AC475); multiple heads daisy-chained via PLC2000 | 4 independent channels |
| Control | Dose set through a PLC interface; separate OmniCure PLC2000 adds RS-232 / RS-485 and multi-head daisy-chaining from one terminal | Per-channel programmable timers, RS-232 and PLC control, instant on/off (self-contained) |
| Price | No public list price; sold by quotation through distributors | $2,900 (part UV3979) |
| Warranty & lead time | See manufacturer datasheet (LED head life typically over 20,000 hrs of on time) | 2-year OEM, US stock, ships 24-48 hrs |
The OmniCure AC Series is genuinely the better choice for inline, high-throughput curing where you need a uniform dose laid down across a continuous 50 or 75 mm web. A patented process that individually addresses each LED module holds longitudinal uniformity to better than +/- 10% across the full curing width, and the 395 nm head delivers high peak irradiance, around 8 W/cm2 near the optics window, with front-end optics that maintain useful irradiance at longer working distances so conveyed parts have clearance. It is air-cooled with no external chiller, and at 365 or 395 nm the source produces no ozone, which removes an extraction requirement from your line. It is backed by Excelitas / OmniCure, an established global UV-curing brand, and with the PLC2000 controller you can daisy-chain and manage many heads from a single terminal. If your application is single-wavelength area or linear curing on an automated production line, the AC Series is purpose-built for it and hard to beat.
- High peak irradiance for a small-area LED source: up to about 8 W/cm2 at the optics window with the 395 nm head, per Excelitas's published figures.
- Good longitudinal uniformity, specified as better than +/- 10% across the full 50 mm (2 in) or 75 mm (3 in) curing width, using a patented process that individually addresses each LED module.
- Air-cooled, compact head that needs no external chiller; at 365 or 395 nm the LED source produces no ozone, which simplifies line integration by removing the need for ozone extraction.
- Long UV LED head life, typically in excess of 20,000 hours of accumulated on time, per Excelitas.
- Front-end optics deliver high irradiance at longer working distances, giving extended clearance for conveyed parts on a production line.
- Backed by Excelitas / OmniCure, an established global UV-curing brand, with a supporting ecosystem including the PLC2000 controller and a broader OmniCure AC model range.
- Scalable multi-head automation: several heads can be daisy-chained and controlled from a single terminal via the PLC2000.
The SkyBeam fits when you need multiple wavelengths or multiple independently timed curing points from one self-contained unit rather than one wavelength per head. Its four channels can each drive a different spot on its own programmable timer, and the system covers 365 / 385 / 395 / 405 nm (model-dependent), which matters when you are matching several adhesives or resins with different absorption peaks, or curing several stations in one cell. Control is built in (per-channel timers, RS-232, PLC, instant on/off), so you do not need a separate controller to program dose. And because it is listed at $2,900 (part UV3979) with a 2-year OEM warranty from US stock, typically shipping in 24-48 hours, budgeting and procurement are simpler than a quote-only system. It is a multi-point spot system, not an inline area source, so choose it for benchtop and multi-station spot curing rather than continuous, wide-web uniformity.
- Each AC450 / AC475 head is single-wavelength (365 nm or 395 nm); covering 385 nm or 405 nm requires a different head, whereas some competing multi-channel LED systems offer 365 / 385 / 395 / 405 nm in a single unit.
- Peak irradiance is wavelength and distance dependent: the headline over 8 W/cm2 applies to the 395 nm head near the optics window, while the 365 nm head reaches only about 4.0 W/cm2 at 1 mm, so the top figure does not describe every configuration.
- The head is an OEM integration component, so full timing, intensity, and communication control depends on a separate OmniCure controller (such as the PLC2000) rather than being self-contained.
- It is an area/linear source (50 x 25 mm or 75 x 25 mm active area) optimized for inline conveyor uniformity, so it is less suited to flexible multi-point spot curing than a multi-channel spot system.
- Multi-head operation is achieved by daisy-chaining separate heads plus a controller, not by multiple independent channels built into a single chassis.
- No public list price is published; the system is sold by quotation through distributors, which can lengthen procurement compared with a listed-price product.
Questions
Is the SkyBeam a drop-in replacement for the OmniCure AC Series?
No. They solve different problems. The AC4 head is a single-wavelength area / linear source optimized for uniform inline curing across a 50 or 75 mm strip, while the SkyBeam is a 4-channel spot system with independently timed channels. If your line depends on the AC4's wide, uniform curing window, the SkyBeam is not a mechanical or optical drop-in. It is an alternative when you need multiple wavelengths or several independent curing points.
Will the SkyBeam cure my material the same as the OmniCure?
We cannot guarantee that without knowing your resin, target wavelength, required dose, and part geometry. Cure depends on matching the LED peak wavelength to your material's absorption and delivering enough energy. SkyBeam intensity is model-dependent, so we recommend confirming your required irradiance and wavelength, and running a sample test where possible, before switching.
What does the SkyBeam cost and how fast can I get it?
The SkyBeam is listed at $2,900 (part UV3979), carries a 2-year OEM warranty, is stocked in the US, and typically ships in 24-48 hours. Excelitas does not publish a list price for the AC Series; it is quoted through distributors, so pricing and lead time vary by order.
OmniCure AC Series (AC4 small-area: AC450 / AC450P / AC475 / AC475P) and Excelitas Technologies (OmniCure) are trademarks of their respective owners. UV Spot Shop is an independent supplier and is not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by Excelitas Technologies (OmniCure). Comparison figures are from public manufacturer literature as of 2026-07-18 and may change, confirm against the current datasheet. Spec match, not a cure guarantee, validate on your parts.
