UV Curing worked example

UV Lamp Distance Intensity Loss with baseline irradiance at reference distance of 3,000 mW / cm²: a worked example

What does the result look like when baseline irradiance at reference distance reaches 3,000 mW / cm²? The full calculation is worked below with real intermediate numbers. Use it when raising a lamp for taller parts, changing a fixture height, comparing spot-cure standoff distances, or troubleshooting a dose drop after a mechanical change.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Baseline irradiance at reference distance: 3,000 mW / cm² (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 1,200)
  • Inverse-square distance factor: 0.44 x (unchanged)
  • Minimum acceptable cure irradiance: 800 mW / cm² (unchanged)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Distance intensity factor = (current working distance ÷ new working distance)²) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 1,332 mW / cm² for estimated irradiance at new distance, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 532 mW / cm² for gap to minimum irradiance.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 3,000 mW / cm² for baseline irradiance.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 0.44 x for distance intensity factor.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where baseline irradiance at reference distance sits at 1,200 mW / cm² and the headline result is 533 mW / cm², this scenario comes in 150% above the baseline at 1,332 mW / cm².
  • A figure at this level is achievable when baseline irradiance at reference distance is genuinely sustained, not just peaked for a shift. The inverse-square model assumes an effectively point source; focused reflectors and collimated LED arrays fall off more slowly, so treat the estimate as conservative and verify with a radiometer.

Results at a glance

  • Estimated irradiance at new distance: 1,332 mW / cm² (headline result)
  • Gap to minimum irradiance: 532 mW / cm²
  • Baseline irradiance: 3,000 mW / cm²
  • Distance intensity factor: 0.44 x

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live UV Lamp Distance Intensity Loss calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.