SkyWand: Applications & adhesives, every question, answered

Can I use the SkyWand for PCB rework?

Yes, that's exactly what it's built for. The cordless wand brings a 15 mm UV spot to a populated board so you can re-tack wires, stake connectors, or cure repair adhesive without moving the assembly.

Its focused LED output minimizes IR, so the joint cures while neighboring components stay cool.

Is it good for conformal coating touch-up?

Yes. After rework, dispense a UV-curable coating over the repaired area and cure it in place, the 15 mm spot covers a typical touch-up patch in one exposure.

For larger patches, overlap slow passes so every point sees the full dose your coating datasheet calls for.

Can it re-tack a lifted wire on a finished board?

Yes. Dispense a small dot of low-shrink UV acrylate over the wire, hold the wand at its 28 mm focus distance, and trigger a short exposure, the dot cures in place with no masking and no oven pass.

Will handheld curing heat nearby components?

Very little. The SkyWand's focused LED spectral output minimizes IR and reduces heating of assemblies, so energy goes into the adhesive rather than into surrounding parts.

That's a key reason spot curing suits populated boards: no bulk heat, no reflow risk, no warp.

Can I use it for medical device repair?

Yes, the SkyWand cures the same 365/405 nm chemistries used in medical assembly, cordlessly, which makes it a natural fit for rework and for devices too large or awkward for a bench fixture.

For validated production curing with programmed doses, a bench system like the SkyBeam is the better tool; the wand covers repair and oversize work.

Can I use it for optics repair?

Yes. Lens fixing and fiber termination adhesives in the 365-405 nm range cure well under the wand, and the low-IR LED output avoids the warm-up drift that can shift optical alignment during cure.

Can I fix fiber terminations in the field?

Yes. The SkyWand is battery-powered and instant-on, so you can cure a termination adhesive wherever the fiber lives, no outlet, no warm-up, and constant output for the full exposure.

What if my part can't come to the bench?

That's the SkyWand's core job: when the part can't come to the cure, the cure comes to the part. It's cordless, weighs 130 g with battery, and delivers constant UV output anywhere you can reach.

Can I cure parts installed inside equipment?

Yes, as long as the lamp head can see the adhesive. At 146 mm x 25 mm the wand reaches into tight spaces, and battery power means no cord to route through the machine.

UV cures are line-of-sight, so position the head where the light lands directly on the joint.

Does it make sense on a service truck?

Absolutely. The kit ships in a protective carry case with the lamp, charger, two swappable batteries, and UV goggles, grab it, drive to the site, and cure on arrival.

Each battery runs approximately 2 hours, and output stays constant until the pack is empty.

Can I cure with no power outlet nearby?

Yes, the SkyWand is fully battery-powered. A charged 3.7 V 3000 mAh Li-ion pack gives roughly 2 hours of runtime, and the second pack in the kit doubles that before you need mains power again.

How long does it run on a battery?

Approximately 2 hours per charge. Since spot cures typically take seconds each, that's a lot of joints per pack, and the kit includes two batteries so you can swap and keep working.

What's in the kit for field work?

Everything you need: the UV LED lamp, a battery charger, two rechargeable Li-ion batteries, shade 5.0 UV protective goggles, and a plastic carry case for transport.

How portable is the SkyWand?

It weighs 130 g with the battery and measures 146 mm x 25 mm, about the size of a large pen. The whole kit travels in its included carry case.

Can I work overhead or at odd angles?

Yes. At 130 g there's no fatigue holding it in any orientation, and the single on/off switch at the head keeps operation simple even in awkward positions.

Keep the lamp head at its 28 mm focus distance and square to the joint for the most even dose.

Can I tack on-site and fully cure later?

Yes, a brief exposure tacks the joint to handling strength so the assembly survives transport, then you apply the full datasheet dose later for final properties.

Just confirm your adhesive supports staged exposure; the datasheet will say so.

What's the difference: tack vs full cure?

A tack is a short exposure that gels the adhesive enough to hold parts in position; a full cure delivers the complete dose from the adhesive datasheet for final strength and hardness.

Plan handheld work the same way: quick tacks to fix geometry, then a longer, deliberate exposure for the full cure.

How fast do staking dots cure?

Small UV acrylate dots typically reach handling strength in a few seconds. The exact time depends on your adhesive's required dose and the wand's 0.9 W/cm² intensity, so confirm with a first-article pull test.

How do I confirm a joint is fully cured?

Deliver the dose your adhesive datasheet specifies, then pull-test or shear-test a first article. On a recurring process, check the wand's output with a UV-A radiometer periodically so the dose stays where you qualified it.

Why is my cured surface still tacky?

Some surface-inhibited chemistries stay tacky under single-wavelength LED light even when the bulk is cured. Try a longer exposure first; if tack persists, the fix is usually an adhesive better matched to LED cure or a broad-spectrum source like the SunSpot 2.

How do I handle shadowed joints?

UV cures are line-of-sight, so adhesive the light can't see stays wet. With a handheld wand you can cure from two or more directions to reach around features, and for truly hidden regions, specify a dual-cure adhesive (UV plus moisture or heat).

Can UV light cure around corners?

No, UV curing is strictly line-of-sight. The handheld format helps because you can reposition the wand to hit each face directly, but any fillet the light never reaches will not cure.

For geometry you can't illuminate, use a dual-cure chemistry so the shadowed portion finishes by moisture or heat.

How deep can a UV cure reach?

Depth depends on the adhesive and wavelength, 365 nm is the usual pick for deep or through-cure work. As a rule of thumb from our applications guide, plan around ~5 mm per exposure and build deeper sections in layered fills.

Can I cure through glass or clear plastic?

Often, yes, if the substrate passes enough UV at your wavelength, you can cure the bond line through the clear side. Some clear materials filter UV heavily, so verify with your adhesive datasheet and a first-article pull test.

Can I bond two opaque parts?

Only where light reaches the adhesive, typically an exposed fillet around the joint edge. Cure the visible fillet for fixturing strength, and specify a dual-cure adhesive so the hidden bond line finishes by moisture or heat.

Which wavelength should I order?

Match it to your adhesive: 365 nm for deep or through-cure and older chemistries, 405 nm for most modern UV adhesives. Your adhesive datasheet lists the wavelength it needs.

Not sure? Add your adhesive details to a quote request and we'll recommend one.

What is 365 nm best for?

365 nm is the pick for deep or through-cure work and older UV chemistries, and it's the workhorse wavelength for medical-grade adhesives. If your datasheet emphasizes cure depth, order the 365 nm SkyWand.

What is 405 nm best for?

405 nm suits most modern UV adhesives, whose photoinitiators are formulated for the longer-wavelength end of the band. If your datasheet lists 405 nm response, order the 405 nm SkyWand.

Datasheet says 365-405 nm. Which do I pick?

Either wavelength will initiate cure if the datasheet lists the whole band. Choose 365 nm when depth of cure matters most; choose 405 nm for typical modern surface and joint cures.

Our quote form even has a 'Not sure, recommend one' option; send the datasheet details and we'll pick with you.

My adhesive peaks at 385 or 395 nm. Will it cure?

Usually, yes. The SkyWand is designed for products responsive to 365, 385, 395, and 405 nm light, and units are supplied at 365 or 405 nm, most adhesives respond across a band rather than a single line.

Check the spectral response curve on your datasheet, or include it with a quote request and we'll match the closer wavelength.

Can one wand do 365 and 405 nm?

No, each SkyWand is built at one wavelength, specified when you order. If you run chemistries on separate bands, a unit of each wavelength covers them; ask us about volume pricing on a multi-unit quote.

My adhesive needs UVB or UVC. Will the wand work?

No, the SkyWand is a narrowband UVA/violet LED source. Chemistries that require UVB/UVC or visible content need the SunSpot 2's broad 275-650 nm arc output instead.

How do I cure an area bigger than the spot?

Work in overlapping passes. Keep the head at its 28 mm focus distance, move slowly and steadily, and overlap each 15 mm spot so no strip of adhesive sees less than the full dwell time.

On critical parts, verify the result with a pull test at the edges of your pass pattern, that's where under-dosing shows up first.

What spot size does the SkyWand produce?

A 15 mm UV spot at the 28 mm focus distance, with an intensity of 0.9 W/cm². That's a generous spot for handheld work, most rework dots and fillets fit inside it.

How far from the joint should I hold it?

About 28 mm, that's the specified focus distance where the wand delivers its rated 15 mm, 0.9 W/cm² spot. Holding a consistent height is the single biggest factor in getting a repeatable handheld dose.

How do I keep handheld cures consistent?

Three habits: hold the 28 mm focus distance, count or time each exposure the same way, and keep the lens clean. The wand does the rest, its regulated output holds constant even as the battery drains.

Back it up with periodic UV-A radiometer checks and first-article pull tests.

Any technique tips for even coverage?

Keep the lamp head square to the surface at the 28 mm focus distance and move in slow, overlapping passes, like spray painting. Don't hover over the center and starve the edges; give every zone equal dwell time.

Is there any warm-up before curing?

None. The solid-state LED is instant on/off, press the switch and you're at full output immediately, which suits the stop-and-go rhythm of rework and field service.

What adhesives can the SkyWand cure?

UV-curable adhesives and coatings responsive to 365-405 nm light, the acrylates used for tacking, staking, bonding, and coating touch-up in electronics, medical, and optical assembly.

Your adhesive datasheet lists the wavelength and dose it needs; order the wand wavelength to match.

Can I use it for wire tacking?

Yes. Dispense 1-3 mm dots of a low-shrink UV acrylate along the wire route and cure each with a short exposure, the wire is staked without masking, ovens, or thermal cycling of the board.

Can I stake connectors with it?

Yes. Connectors that see board flex need reinforcement at exactly one point, and a handheld spot cure puts adhesive strength right at the connector shoulder in seconds, with no bulk heat to the rest of the assembly.

Can I stake coil terminations?

Yes, fine magnet wire on a transformer bobbin is a classic spot-curing job. A dot of UV acrylate over the termination cures to handling strength quickly and keeps the wire from shifting in later process steps.

Can I touch up potting or dam-and-fill?

Yes, for repairs and shallow sections. Gel the dam with a short exposure, fill, then cure, and for pots deeper than about 5 mm, fill and cure in two passes or use a dual-cure chemistry.

For full production dam-and-fill, the SunSpot 2's broad-spectrum multi-pole setup is the stronger tool; the wand shines at touch-up.

Will spot curing warp or reflow my board?

No, that's the point of a spot cure. Energy lands only where the adhesive is, the LED output carries minimal IR, and the board never sees bulk heat, so there's no reflow risk and no warp.

Do I need to mask before curing?

No. Unlike selective coating or oven processes, a UV spot cure only affects material the light lands on, dispense, expose, done. That's a major labor saving on rework.

How should I prep surfaces before bonding?

Solvent-wipe each substrate before dispensing, and abrade or plasma-treat low-surface-energy plastics for reliable adhesion. Clean, prepared surfaces matter as much in the field as they do on the bench.

Any tips for bonding low-energy plastics?

Abrade or plasma-treat them first, low-surface-energy plastics are the most common cause of weak UV bonds, and no amount of extra UV dose fixes poor wetting. Then cure per your adhesive datasheet.

Is it gentle on heat-sensitive parts?

Yes. The SkyWand's focused spectral output minimizes IR and reduces heating of assemblies, a key advantage of LED sources over hot filament or arc lamps for delicate substrates.

How do I verify UV dose in the field?

Measure the wand's intensity with a UV-A radiometer periodically, exactly as the manual recommends, and log the readings. Pair that with first-article pull tests and your handheld process stays inside its qualified window.

When should the UV source be replaced?

When periodic radiometer checks show the output is no longer powerful enough for your glue cure. Per the manual, contact us at that point for a UV light source replacement.

Why are my cures slowing down over time?

Almost always a dirty lens. In use, the optical lens picks up dust and volatiles from UV glue, which cuts output, clean it with lens tissue and alcohol (light off) and re-check with a radiometer.

What are the optical lens models for?

The SkyWand comes with six optical lens models, which makes it versatile across different UV glue curing jobs. The lens is replaceable, so keep it clean and swap it if it degrades.

What eye protection do I need?

Wear the included shade 5.0 UV goggles before turning on the light source, and never look directly into the lamp while it's working, the UV output is dazzling and harmful to eyes.

How do I keep others safe on a job site?

Put your goggles on before switching on, keep the spot pointed at the work, and make sure no one looks at the lit spot or into the lamp. The manual's warnings apply to anyone in view of the UV, not just the operator.

Can I inspect adhesive coverage with UV?

Yes, if your adhesive contains a fluorescing agent, a quick look under the UV spot makes coverage checks nearly instant. It's a practical field alternative to formal inspection equipment.

Many adhesive suppliers offer fluorescing versions of standard chemistries; check the datasheet options.

Can I swap batteries mid-job?

Yes, unscrew the tail cap, drop in the second charged pack (anode forward, cathode at the tail), and keep working. The kit ships with two batteries for exactly this reason.

How long does a battery take to charge?

About 4 hours to full. The charger's indicator shows red while charging and turns green when the pack is ready.

Charge one pack while running the other and you'll rarely wait on a battery.

How many charge cycles do batteries last?

The Li-ion packs are rated for 300-500 charge/discharge cycles or more, provided they aren't overcharged or heavily discharged on a regular basis.

Battery care tips for field crews?

Avoid running packs completely flat on a regular basis, repeated deep discharges shorten battery life. Charge fully before first use, recycle old packs per local disposal law, and never dispose of them in fire.

Can I really run it all day?

Yes, with the two-pack rotation: each battery runs approximately 2 hours of lamp-on time, and since spot cures last seconds, that covers a full shift of rework. Charge one pack (about 4 hours) while the other works.

Where do I charge batteries on a job site?

The included charger plugs into mains power, so any standard AC outlet works, the shop bench, a site outlet, or an AC source in the truck. Seat the battery with anode to anode and cathode to cathode, then plug in.

Does the case hold everything I need?

Yes, the plastic carry case stores the lamp, charger, two batteries, and the UV goggles, so the whole curing station travels as one box.

Can I use third-party batteries?

No, use only the 3.7 V 3000 mAh Li-ion battery and the charger supplied with the lamp. Per the manual, parts from other manufacturers can affect performance and will void the warranty.

Need extra packs? Add them to a quote request and we'll supply originals.

What routine maintenance does it need?

Two things: keep the optical lens clean (lens tissue and alcohol, light off) since glue volatiles and dust cut output, and measure intensity with a UV-A radiometer periodically to confirm it still meets your cure requirement.

How do I turn the lamp on and off?

One press of the switch button at the head turns the UV on; press again to turn it off. There's no menu, no settings, deliberately simple for gloved, one-handed field work.

Is it hard to train technicians on?

No, operation is a single on/off switch, and the constant-output design removes the judgment calls. Training is really about technique: goggles on, hold the 28 mm focus distance, time each exposure consistently.

Can I bond housings and enclosures on-site?

Yes, structural UV acrylate bonds on glass, metal, and engineering plastics cure in seconds under the wand, right where the assembly sits. Prep the surfaces, dispense, and expose each section of the bond line.

Can I bond glass, metal, and plastics?

Yes, those are the classic UV bonding substrates. Solvent-wipe first, treat low-energy plastics, pick an adhesive rated for the material pair, and cure at the wavelength its datasheet specifies.

What's the workflow on very large parts?

Work the bond line in sections: dispense a manageable length, cure it with overlapping 15 mm spots, then move on. Cordless operation means you can walk the whole perimeter of a large assembly without repositioning the part.

What industries use handheld spot curing?

The same ones we supply bench systems to: electronics assembly (tacking, staking, coating touch-up), medical device work, and optical assembly, plus any field-service operation repairing those products on-site.

Can it live at a manual assembly station?

Yes. Plenty of customers keep a SkyWand at the bench for low-volume assembly and rework, instant on/off, no warm-up, and no cord across the workspace. For timed, fixtured production it hands off to a bench system.

Can I fix tacking misses after depaneling?

Yes, that's routine rework for the wand. Re-dispense a dot on the shifted wire or component, cure for a few seconds, and the board goes back into the flow without an oven pass or masking.

Can UV replace my oven cure?

For UV-curable chemistries, yes, seconds of light replace a 30-minute oven pass, and only the adhesive gets the energy. Heat-cure-only epoxies still need the oven, though dual-cure (UV plus heat) adhesives can bridge the two.

Why UV-cure instead of heat-cure epoxy?

Speed and selectivity: a UV dot reaches handling strength in seconds while the rest of the assembly stays at ambient. Heat-cure epoxies thermal-cycle every joint on the board and tie up fixtures for hours.

Can I gel a dam before filling?

Yes, dispense the dam bead, gel it with a short exposure so it holds shape, then fill the encapsulant and cure. The wand's instant on/off makes the quick gel step easy.

Will curing shift my optical alignment?

LED spot curing is the low-risk option here: hot filament sources add infrared that warms the joint and shifts alignment, while the SkyWand's output minimizes IR so the joint cures at essentially constant temperature.

Is it suited to fiber optic assembly?

For repair and field termination work, yes, it cures the 365/405 nm adhesives used in fiber termination with no IR heating. For validated, fixtured production termination, a bench LED system with per-channel timers is the stronger fit.

Can I re-encapsulate a sensor in place?

Yes, within depth limits: rebuild the dam, gel it, fill, and cure in layers of roughly 5 mm or less. For deeper repairs use a dual-cure encapsulant so shadowed or deep material finishes curing on its own.

How do I find my adhesive's required dose?

It's on the adhesive datasheet, along with the wavelength, those two numbers define your cure. Set your exposure so intensity times time reaches that dose, then confirm with a first-article test.

Stuck reading a datasheet? Send the details with a quote request and we'll interpret it with you.

How do I time exposures by hand?

Use a consistent count or an external timer and hold the same distance every time. Because the wand's output is constant, a fixed time equals a fixed dose, the variable to control is you, not the lamp.

Does the head get hot during use?

The lamp manages its heat through mechanical cooling in the housing, and the LED output itself carries minimal IR into the work. Give the lens its usual cleanliness care and the wand runs comfortably through a shift.

What safety habits matter for handheld UV?

Goggles on before the light goes on, never look into the lamp, keep the spot on the work, and keep the lens away from liquids, dust, and other contaminants. Use only the original battery and charger.

Why keep the lens away from liquids?

The manual calls it out directly: liquid, dust, and other pollutants on the optical lens degrade the UV output your adhesive receives. A contaminated lens is the most common cause of a weak or slow cure.

Where can I read the full manual?

The operation manual and the product brochure are free downloads on our site, charging steps, safety instructions, maintenance, and the full spec table are all in there.