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PrintoLUX® system comparison

Process comparison

YAG laser

Il metodo laser YAG (granato di Ittrio e alluminio) utilizza un cristallo come mezzo attivo. Similar restrictions apply as for the CO2 laser process. Compared to the PrintoLUX® process, two further disadvantages quickly become obvious: The investment for a workstation (at least € 30,000) is significantly higher, and in all respects, the representation quality cannot compete with the quality of PrintoLUX®.

PrintoLUX®

Compared to the YAG laser process, the thermosetting digital printing process of PrintoLUX® has the following advantages: a wider bandwidth of printable materials, improved representation quality, easier integration in production processes, significantly lower investment for a workstation.

Comparison YAG laser PrintoLUX® process

Material

    

Type of material

    
Acrylic   yes, verso
Aluminium, anodized coloured, AL    
Aluminium, white matt, AS    
Aluminium, anodized natural, AL    
Aluminium dibond, DB    
Glass, matt or pretreated   yes, verso
Adhesive foil, polyester (white, silver, transparent) PK    
PrintoLUX® aluminium, AE    
PrintoLUX® stainless steel, VE    
PrintoLUX® brass, ME    
Laminated board (formica-like), RP    
Plastic plates, polyester, PY    
Keyboard foils, PD    

Resistance (material- dependent)

    

UV

    
at least 1 year    
at least 3 years    
at least 8 years    

Chemical

    
Alcohol/ethanol    
Oils    
Cold cleaner    
Acetone    
Acid not resistant  
Toluene    

Physical

    
Fingernail test    
Tape test    
Flying sparks test    
High pressure cleaning/Dry ice cleaning    

Design

    

Colours

    
Monochrome    
Polychrome (RAL and Pantone) not available  
Infinitely variable colour transitions not available very good
Photo quality not available very good

Printing mode

    
Reproduction text files    
Reproduction graphic files    
Reproduction photo files    
Reproduction barcode files    
Changes between texts, charts, barcodes    

Resolution

    
Resolution (300 to 5.760 dpi) high (up to 2.880 dpi) photorealistic (5.760 dpi)

Specialist knowledge

    

Software

    
Windows printer driver    
Macintosh printer driver    
No special software required    
Training requirements Intensive training Basic training

Production

    

Operation and serial printing

    
Single piece production    
In-line/Integration    
Direct printing    
Special preparation required Radioprotection Pretreatment

Workplace safety

    
General workplace environment Noisy (air filter system) Office (noiseless)
Impairments (in-office use) Safety Slight odour
Notes on workplace safety Safety none

Cost

    

Investment for industrial workstation

    
Expenditure 30.000 € upwards from 3.540 €