SkyWand: Using the wand, every question, answered
42 answers below, written from the manufacturer's manuals and our own bench experience. Prefer to tap through them? The same answers power the live chat in the corner. Ready to buy? See the SkyWand or request a quote.
How do I turn the SkyWand on and off?
Press the ON/OFF switch on the head of the wand, one press turns the UV light on, another press turns it off. Output is instant, with no warm-up.
Because it is a press-on, press-off switch, you do not have to hold it down during a cure.
How do I install the battery in the wand?
Unscrew the tail cap and slide one fully charged pack into the handle with the anode (+) facing forward and the cathode (-) toward the tail, then replace the cap.
The manual's Step 1 diagram shows the correct direction. Charge the pack fully before its first use.
What do I need to do before first use?
Fully charge a Li-ion pack, the manual requires a full charge before the first use, and put on the included UV goggles before switching the lamp on.
Give the manual a quick read first; it covers charging, operation, safety, and lens care in a few pages.
Is there a built-in exposure timer?
No, exposure is manual. Press the switch on, hold for the time your adhesive datasheet calls for, then press off.
Since output is constant and on/off is instant, timing with a stopwatch or a counted process step gives repeatable dosing.
How far should I hold the lamp from the part?
The optics are focused at a 28 mm working distance, where the beam forms a 15 mm spot at 0.9 W/cm². Hold the lens at about that distance from the joint to get the rated intensity.
How big is the cure spot?
15 mm across at the 28 mm focus distance, per the Uvitron brochure.
For longer bond lines, cure in overlapping steps so every section gets its full exposure.
What UV intensity does the SkyWand deliver?
0.9 W/cm² at the 28 mm focus distance, per the Uvitron brochure.
Your delivered dose is intensity multiplied by exposure time, so time your cures to the dose on the adhesive datasheet.
Does it need warm-up time?
No, the LED source is instant on/off with no warm-up, so you get full intensity from the moment you press the switch.
How do I control the UV dose?
Dose is intensity multiplied by time. Hold the lens at the 28 mm focus distance for the rated 0.9 W/cm² and time the exposure to reach the dose your adhesive datasheet specifies.
What's the right technique for board rework?
Goggles on, hold the lens about 28 mm over the joint, press on, hold steady for your adhesive's exposure time, then press off.
The LED's low-IR output keeps heating of nearby components to a minimum.
Can I cure a long bond line with it?
Yes, the beam covers a 15 mm spot, so work down the line in overlapping steps and give each spot its full exposure time.
Is the SkyWand good for field repairs?
That is exactly what it is built for, cordless, 130 g, and the whole kit travels in a protective carry case with charger, two battery packs, and goggles.
What goggles come with the kit?
One pair of UV-protective goggles (Shade 5.0) ships in every kit. Put them on before every use.
If several people work at the bench, everyone in the area should wear UV-blocking eyewear.
Any skin precautions during hand curing?
Keep hands and forearms out of the beam path, prolonged UVA on skin causes reddening. For extended hand curing, gloves and sleeves are good practice.
Should I choose 365 nm or 405 nm?
Match the adhesive: 365 nm suits deep or through-cure work and older chemistries, while 405 nm suits most modern UV adhesives. Your adhesive datasheet lists the band it needs.
Send the datasheet with a quote request and we'll confirm the right wavelength before you order.
Are 385 or 395 nm versions available?
The SkyWand platform is built for 365, 385, 395, and 405 nm per the Uvitron brochure; we stock the 365 and 405 nm builds. If your adhesive needs 385 or 395 nm, ask us on a quote request.
Is the SkyWand fully cordless?
Yes, it runs on a swappable Li-ion pack inside the handle, with no cord or base unit. Two packs are included so one can charge while you work.
How heavy is the SkyWand in the hand?
130 g with the battery installed, in a 146 mm x 25 mm body, light enough for comfortable one-handed work.
Will the UV beam heat up my parts?
Very little, the focused LED spectral output minimizes IR, which reduces heating of assemblies. That makes it a good match for heat-sensitive components.
How is the lamp cooled?
Heat dissipation is by mechanical cooling per the Uvitron brochure, there is no warm-up or cooldown cycle to manage between cures.
Can I keep working while a battery charges?
Yes. The packs charge in the external charger, not in the lamp, so keep one pack in the wand and the spare on the charger for continuous work.
What comes in the SkyWand kit?
One UV LED lamp, one battery charger, two rechargeable Li-ion batteries, one pair of UV-protective goggles, and a plastic carry case.
Where can I download the manual?
The SkyWand Operation Manual and Brochure are free PDFs on our Tech Support page and on the SkyWand product page.
Do I need to read the manual first?
Yes, the manual asks you to read it carefully before use and keep it handy afterward. It is short and covers charging, lamp operation, safety, and lens care.
How should I store the wand between jobs?
Keep the lamp, charger, packs, and goggles in the included carry case, and keep the optical lens away from liquid, dust, and other pollutants.
Can several techs share one wand?
Yes, it is a self-contained kit in a carry case, so it moves easily between benches. Just make sure every operator wears UV goggles and follows the manual's precautions.
What jobs is the SkyWand made for?
Rework, field service, and curing parts too large or awkward for a benchtop system, anywhere you need to bring full-intensity UV to the work instead of the work to the lamp.
Can it replace a benchtop spot-curing system?
For rework, touch-ups, and field work, yes. For fixed, high-intensity production curing, look at our SunSpot 2 or SkyBeam benchtop systems, ask us and we'll compare them against your process.
How do I know parts are getting enough UV?
Measure the UV intensity periodically with a UV-A radiometer, as the manual recommends, and time each exposure to the dose your adhesive datasheet specifies.
Does frequent on/off switching hurt it?
No penalty is documented, the LED source is instant on/off with no warm-up, and switching off between cures also reduces stray UV exposure at the bench.
Should I shield the work area from stray UV?
On open benches it is good practice to contain stray light with a shield panel or curtain, and to position work so reflections off shiny fixtures do not reach nearby people.
Is the output UVA, UVB, or UVC?
The SkyWand emits a narrow UVA band (UVA spans 315–400 nm) and essentially no UVB or UVC. Standard UVA eye and skin precautions still apply in full.
Can I hold the part in one hand and cure?
Yes, at 130 g the wand is easy to control one-handed. Keep the holding hand out of the beam path and wear the included goggles.
Where do I find the required cure dose?
On your adhesive's datasheet, it lists the wavelength band and the dose the chemistry needs. From there, set exposure time to reach that dose at the SkyWand's delivered intensity.
We're happy to help you translate a datasheet into wand settings, ask on a quote request.
Does output change during a long exposure?
No, the lamp holds a constant, regulated UV output for as long as it is on, even as the battery drains, so long exposures stay at full intensity.
Can I mount the wand in a fixture?
It is documented as a handheld tool and no mounting hardware is listed. If you need a fixtured or automation-ready LED source, ask us about SkyBeam instead.
Do I hold the switch down during a cure?
No, press once for on and once for off. The light stays on between presses so you can focus on holding position and counting the exposure.
Can I use it for quick tack cures?
Yes, instant on/off makes short tack shots easy for holding parts in place. Follow up with the full documented dose for final strength.
What's a good all-day work routine?
Start with a charged pack in the wand and the spare on the charger, then swap when the first runs down, each pack gives roughly 2 hours of on-time. The charger's green light tells you the spare is ready.
Any tips for recessed or awkward joints?
The slim 146 mm x 25 mm body reaches into tight spots. Keep the lens as close to the 28 mm focus distance as the geometry allows, intensity is rated at focus, so verify cure if you must work farther away.
Can I cure at odd angles or upside down?
Yes, it is a handheld tool meant to be aimed however the joint requires, and no orientation limits are documented. Just keep the beam pointed away from eyes and skin.
Who makes the SkyWand, and who supplies it?
The SkyWand is manufactured by Uvitron International in West Springfield, MA. UV Spot Shop is the US-based supplier, kits are in stock and ship in 24–48 hours.
