Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing low gloss and controlled gloss radiation cured coatings, and for effecting on-line control of the degree of gloss provided. A radiation-curable coating of a composition which includes inert particulates is first irradiated with curing radiation of wavelengths to which the coating is responsive but having substantially no distribution beneath about 300 nm, and is subsequently irradiated with curing radiation of wavelengths to which the coating is responsive including substantial radiation at wavelengths beneath 300 nm. Gloss control is obtained by adjusting the spectral distribution, the intensity, or the dose of the initial radiation, or by adjusting the time interval between the initial and subsequent irradiation steps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for curing three dimensional objects such as cylindrical two piece cans with ultraviolet light without having to rotate the cans, at conventional can line speeds and using a minimum number of lamp units. In a first embodiment, the cans are moved, without rotation, between at least a pair of ultraviolet lamp units so that the closest surfaces to the lamp units are substantially within the focal planes thereof. The lamp units are parallel to the direction of can movement or are rotated from that direction by a small angle with the lamp units of each pair being rotated by the same angle but in opposite senses. In a further embodiment, each lamp unit, instead of being faced by another lamp unit, is faced by a reflector to increase the cure speed attainable with the same number of lamp units.