Dears:

I am new at this forum. I am from Argentina. I would like to know information about QM DI classic:

1 - print Quality, Is it like a convencional offset press?
2 - Cost of operation (plates, blankets, ink and other consumibles)
3 - Why Classic version are so cheaper than Plus or Pro version?
4 - What are the principals problems with these type of machines? Are some points that are very important to know before buy a QM DI?

I hope somebody could answer me these questions?

Thanks in advance

apollogies for my poor english

Hi,

Welcome to the forum.

I hope i can answer your questions.

The print quality is the same to a normal litho machine. The main difference is the limitation of the lazer diodes and the size of the dots they can put on a plate, 1270 and 2540 resolutions and generally at 175 lpi is the limit.

The costs of the consumables has decreased since the QM DI machine first came out. The plate cost is approx UK£600 (US$1,200) for a box of 4 rolls with 36 imagings per roll, Blankets approx £25 each, Plate wash rolls approx £3 each, Blanket felts approx £2 each, Ink (Toyo aqualess eco waterless ink) approx £20 per kg.

The Classic was the 1st QM DI version produced followed by the Plus and Pro. The Plus had many improvements mainly imaging speed, silicone extraction, ink ducts, the Pro had a touch screen interface and a stream feeder. The Plus is generally recognised to be the machine to go for at least unless cost is very important.

These machines have many electrical components and thus can be an issue. Generally the machanical side is reasonably reliable.

Hope this information helps,

Regards.

Hello:

thanks for your quick answer.

Do you think that QM 46 DI is a good machine? or do you prefer a Ryobi 3304?

Hi,

The QM DI is a Heidelberg..............so yes it is a good machine.

Maybe someone else could comment on the Ryobi.

Regards.

175 lpi (not dpi), right?

you are right 175 LPI.

regards

Hope my somewhat unnecessary reply didn't come off as rude or take the thread off-topic; just didn't want someone to google and say "boy those old machines sure were low resolution back then!"

No problem Jeff, just a keystoke slip.

Regards.

36 imaging you have mentioned. Its it 4-color plates of 36 jobs?

Ink price is seems to be very high. May be 4 times higher than conventional offset color ink. Any alternative?

Regards from ksamin, Dhaka

Hi,

Yes it is 4 x 36.

Silicon based ink is more expensive than oil / vegetable based ink. There are other waterless silicon based ink suppliers but not all waterless ink manufactured is the same quality.

Regards.