24 Issue 248 - August / September 2023 www.signlink.co.uk UNDER THE HOOD / LIYU Q2 & Q3 HYBRID Brian Sims Principal Consultant, Metis Print Consultancy, www.metis-uk.eu for machines designed for the display markets. The colours are as to be expected with the process set (CMYK) along with light cyan and magenta, white and varnish. All of the inks are UV LED cured so they are dry as soon as the material has passed under the printhead and curing lamps. As these machines are used in a number of markets, Liyu International has worked hard to ensure they are of the highest environmental standards. In this day and age when there is an added need for traceability or compliance, these inks are underpinned by the Greenguard gold standard. To satisfy the Greenguard gold standard, the inks supplied must meet the stringent emissions standards based on established chemical exposure criteria. Specifically the LED UV curing inks meet the UL2818 standard which is for low chemical emissions for indoor production. The LED UV curing inks used in the new printers hold the Greenguard Gold certificate meaning they have passed the most rigorous testing and have a very low impact on the environment and contain very low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are nickel free. These qualities in ink mean the Q2 and Q3 printers can be installed in a number of smaller operational sites without affecting operators. Both machines look very sleek, they have a large black semi-transparent cover extending almost the full width and to the height of the machine above the table. This allows for observation of the process but doesn’t make the printer look industrial. Both machines come with the operation panel cleverly built into this black cover on either side of the machine. This gives the opportunity for a large computer panel being available to the operator but it doesn’t take up space on or around the machine. Both machines use PhotoPrint RIP software and Caldera software can be added as an option. So much for what both machines have in common, but what sets them apart? Basically, it boils down to the width of the substrate that can be printed on each machine. The Platinum Q2 Hybrid printer can print to a width of 2,050mm and this can be on roll or sheet substrate. The Platinum Q3 Hybrid printer can print up to 3,200mm which is quite a considerable amount wider and this additional width allows the reel to be in either one full width or it can be split into two reels both front and back of the machine. And finally, the printer can be programmed to print either in duplex or multi-production meaning you can print two different jobs on separate reels in one pass. ▲ Ink droplet deployment is available in four different volumes; 13, 7, 6, and 5 picolitres. ▼ Both machines can print on roll or sheet substrates up to 50mm in thickness
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