3D-printed UV Exponator Setup with Arduino-based Automated Irradiation Dose Control

Herein, we present the design, technical implementation, and evaluation of a low-cost ultraviolet (UV) exposure setup, that is based on 3D-printed components, Arduino microcontroller, and inexpensive Arduino-compatible UV intensity module. In this case, the setup is equipped with a high-power UVA (λ = 365 nm) light-emitting diode (LED), powered through an off-the-shelf current-controlled DC-DC convertor, which also allows for UV intensity control through pulse-width (PWM) modulation. The functional dependence of UV intensity at the illuminated surface vs. PWM duty cycle was calibrated with a dedicated optical power meter and found to be linear, and controllable in the 5 – 30 mW cm^–2 range. Using it as feedback for the UV exposure process, we demonstrate that the device is capable of providing fully automated exposure process with purposeful control of both the UV intensity and overall UV exposure dose.