Phoseon FireFly vs SkyBeam
The Phoseon FireFly and the Uvitron SkyBeam are both UV LED curing systems that share the same four wavelength options (365, 385, 395, and 405 nm), but they solve different problems. The FireFly is a single-emitter, air-cooled OEM light source built for one high-irradiance inline station, with timing and sequencing supplied by the host machine's PLC. The SkyBeam is a four-channel system that drives four stations independently and carries its own per-channel programmable timers plus RS-232 and PLC control on board.
FireFly vs SkyBeam, side by side
| Spec | FireFly | SkyBeam (ours) |
|---|---|---|
| Source type | Air-cooled UV LED spot lamp, single integrated head (Phoseon SLM technology) | 4-channel UV LED |
| Wavelengths | 365, 385, 395, 405 nm (model-dependent) | 365 / 385 / 395 / 405 nm (model-dependent) |
| Peak irradiance | Reported up to 8 W/cm2 (roughly 1.5 at 365 nm; 4-8 at 385/395/405 nm), per manufacturer listing and 2014 press; not datasheet-verified | Model-dependent |
| Channels / heads | Single emitting window (sizes 25x10 up to about 150x20 mm, model-dependent) | 4 independent channels |
| Control | Instant on/off and PLC interface; driven by an external constant-voltage power supply; no built-in programmable timer described in available literature | Per-channel programmable timers, RS-232 and PLC control, instant on/off |
| Price | By quote or distributor (no public US price found) | $2,900 (part UV3979) |
| Warranty & lead time | See manufacturer datasheet | 2-year OEM, US stock, ships 24-48 hrs |
The FireFly is genuinely the stronger choice when you need maximum irradiance concentrated in a single window at one inline station. Its reported peak (up to 8 W/cm2, with roughly 4 to 8 W/cm2 at 385/395/405 nm) is very high for a compact air-cooled lamp and is well suited to fast curing of demanding inks and adhesives. If you are an OEM integrating a single high-power curing point into a printing, inkjet, or dispensing line that already has a PLC to handle timing and sequencing, the FireFly's compact head, choice of emitting-window sizes (from a 25x10 mm spot up to about 150x20 mm), and instant on/off make it a clean fit. It is backed by Phoseon (now part of Excelitas) and its Semiconductor Light Matrix technology, with an established track record in industrial printing and inkjet curing. Where single-point irradiance is the deciding factor and your host controller runs the cure cycle, the FireFly is the right tool.
- Very high peak UV irradiance for a compact lamp (reported in the 4 to 8 W/cm2 range, up to 8 W/cm2), well suited to fast curing of demanding inks and adhesives
- Multiple discrete wavelength options (365, 385, 395, 405 nm) to match a range of photoinitiator chemistries
- Air-cooled, compact form factor built for clean OEM and inline integration, with instant on/off and PLC-compatible control
- Backed by Phoseon (now part of Excelitas) and its Semiconductor Light Matrix (SLM) technology, with an established presence in industrial printing and inkjet curing
- Choice of emitting-window sizes, from a small 25x10 mm spot up to roughly 150x20 mm, for different coverage needs
The SkyBeam fits when you need to run more than one curing station at once: it provides four independent channels against the FireFly's single emitting window, so one unit can service four stations instead of buying and mounting four separate lamps. It carries per-channel programmable timers on board along with both RS-232 and PLC control, so it can sequence and time cures without depending on a host controller, which is useful for benchtop and lower-volume production where there is no line PLC. It shares the same four wavelength options (365/385/395/405 nm), so you can match the same photoinitiator chemistries. And it is priced and stocked transparently: $2,900 for part UV3979, backed by a 2-year OEM warranty, held in US stock, and shipping in 24 to 48 hours, versus quote-only pricing on the FireFly. One honest caveat: the SkyBeam's per-channel irradiance is model-dependent, and we do not claim it matches the FireFly's reported single-window peak, so if raw single-point intensity is what decides your process, verify the numbers against your chemistry first.
- Positioned primarily as an OEM light source: it relies on an external power supply and is driven by on/off and PLC signals from the host system, so timing and sequencing come from the integrator's controller rather than a built-in programmable timer
- Available FireFly literature does not describe built-in per-channel programmable timers; the SkyBeam adds per-channel programmable timers and RS-232 control alongside the PLC control both support
- It is a single-emitter head, not a multi-channel light-guide system, so driving several independent stations at once requires multiple lamps
- Phoseon/Excelitas does not publicly list a US price for the FireFly; pricing is obtained by quote or through distributors
Questions
Is the SkyBeam a drop-in replacement for the Phoseon FireFly?
No. The FireFly is a single-emitter OEM light source that mounts as one head and takes its timing from a host PLC, while the SkyBeam is a four-channel system with its own programmable timers and RS-232/PLC control. They share the same wavelength options but have different form factors and integration models, so swapping one for the other requires re-engineering the mounting and control. If you need a like-for-like single high-irradiance head, tell us your station requirements and we will advise honestly.
Will the SkyBeam cure my material as fast as the FireFly?
We cannot promise that without data. The FireFly reports a high single-window peak (up to 8 W/cm2, per manufacturer and press listings we have not verified against a datasheet), and the SkyBeam's per-channel irradiance is model-dependent. Cure speed depends on your photoinitiator, film thickness, working distance, and wavelength. Send us your chemistry and geometry and we will give you a realistic assessment rather than a guarantee.
What does the SkyBeam cost and how soon can I get one?
The SkyBeam (part UV3979) is $2,900, backed by a 2-year OEM warranty, held in US stock, and ships in 24 to 48 hours. Phoseon does not publish a US price for the FireFly; it is quoted through the manufacturer or its distributors, so a direct list-price comparison is not available.
FireFly and Phoseon Technology (Excelitas) are trademarks of their respective owners. UV Spot Shop is an independent supplier and is not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by Phoseon Technology (Excelitas). 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.
