Gongzheng Thunderjet AQ1800 UV
1.8m RTR LED-UV Roll-to-Roll Printer | Flexible UV Ink | 3–4 Epson I3200 U1 Heads | Up to 5-Layer CWKWC | Varnish | Water Cooling Platen | Anti-Collision | UL GREENGUARD Gold
OVERVIEW
The ThunderJet AQ1800UV is a 1.8-metre roll-to-roll LED-UV printer — a completely different technology from HP Latex, DTF, and sublimation. It uses Flexible UV Ink that cures instantly under Dual Water Cooling LED UV lamps, enabling printing on a wide range of flexible media including banner, coated PP, vinyl, backlit textiles, PVC film, and PET film. With 3 to 4 Epson I3200 U1 printheads (UV-specific variant), Piezo Variable Dot (Greyscale) technology, and a configurable multi-layer printing architecture, the AQ1800UV delivers standard single-pass color printing through to 5-layer CWKWC applications — including white ink, varnish, and Day & Night backlit effects. The unique Water-Cooling Platen prevents substrate deformation on heat-sensitive materials, and the Anti-Collision Unit protects the printheads.
- TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- WHY CHOOSE Gongzheng Thunderjet AQ1800 UV?
| Model | ThunderJet AQ1800UV |
| Technology | Piezo Variable Dot (Greyscale) — LED-UV Roll-to-Roll Printer |
| Print Heads | 3–4 × Epson I3200 U1 (UV-specific variant) — configurable 3PH or 4PH layout |
| Curing System | Dual Water Cooling LED UV Lamps |
| Ink Type | Flexible UV Ink — UL GREENGUARD Gold certified |
| Color Configurations | KCYM (color only) W + KCYM (white + color) W + KCYM + V (white + color + varnish) |
| Multi-Layer Modes | 1L: Colorful 2L: W + C + W 3L: CWC 4L: CKWC Day & Night 5L: CWKWC |
| Ink Supply System | Bulk Ink Supply + White Ink Recirculation System |
| Printing Width | Max 1,800 mm (1.8 m) |
| Media Types | Banner, Coated PP, Vinyl, Backlit Textile, PVC Film, PET Film |
| Max Roll Weight | 50 kg Core: 3 in. (76.2 mm) or 2 in. (50.8 mm) |
| Print Speed — Draft | 720 × 1200 dpi 503.75 ft²/hr (color) 215.28 ft²/hr (CWC) 123.78 ft²/hr (CWV) 41.98 ft²/hr (CWKWC) |
| Print Speed — Production | 720 × 1200 dpi 441.32 ft²/hr (color) 182.99 ft²/hr (CWC) 102.26 ft²/hr (CWV) |
| Print Speed — High-Res | 720 × 1800 dpi 350.82 ft²/hr (color) 118.40 ft²/hr (CWC) 75.35 ft²/hr (CWV) 27.99 ft²/hr (CWKWC) |
| Print Speed — Photo | 720 × 1800 dpi 247.57 ft²/hr (color) 81.81 ft²/hr (CWC) 64.58 ft²/hr (CWV) |
| Platen System | Water Cooling Platen — prevents heat-sensitive substrate deformation |
| Safety Feature | Anti-Collision Unit — protects printhead carriage from misfeed damage |
| Data Interface | External: Ethernet Internal: Fiber Optical |
| Software | FlexiPRINT / Onyx (optional) + GZ Printer Manager |
| Working Environment | Temperature: 23°C–29°C Humidity: 50%–80% |
| Power | Single Phase, 50Hz/AC, 220V±10%, 5A (Printer + UV Controller) |
| Packed Size | 3620 × 1150 × 950 mm |
| Installed Size | 3400 × 990 × 1630 mm |
| Gross Weight / Net Weight | 510 kg / 364 kg |
Description
LED-UV Technology — Instant Cure, Flexible Ink
- Flexible UV Ink cures instantly under Dual Water Cooling LED UV lamps — no drying time, no solvent off-gassing, no heat curing wait
- Flexible formulation prevents ink cracking when the printed media is flexed, rolled, or applied to curved surfaces
- Prints on a wider range of media than latex or solvent: banner, coated PP, vinyl, backlit textile, PVC film, PET film
- Piezo Variable Dot (Greyscale) technology — smooth gradients and fine detail across all ink channels including white and varnish
- 3–4 Epson I3200 U1 printheads (UV-specific variant, not the A1 sublimation/DTF variant)
- UL GREENGUARD Gold certified — low chemical emissions for indoor display environments
Multi-Layer Printing — 6 Configurations
- 1 layer — Colorful: standard KCYM single-pass color printing (46.8 m²/hr draft, 3-head)
- 2 layers — W+C+W: white underflood + color + white overcoat (20 m²/hr draft, 3-head)
- 3 layers — CWC: color + white + color — for Day & Night backlit effect base
- 4 layers — CKWC (Day & Night): color + key/black + white + color — full Day & Night backlit
- 5 layers — CWKWC: color + white + key/black + white + color — 5-layer on demand with fine details
- Optional Varnish (V) channel: W+KCYM+V configuration — color with varnish spot/flood finish for premium print applications
- Head layout diagram on the datasheet shows all 3PH (3-head) and 4PH (4-head) configuration options
Water Cooling Platen & Media Handling
- Unique Water Cooling Platen — circulates cooling water beneath the print zone to actively cool the media during UV curing
- Prevents substrate deformation, warping, and wrinkle on heat-sensitive materials (PVC film, PET film, thin vinyl, backlit textile)
- Enables printing on materials that would distort under conventional UV lamps without active cooling
- Max media width: 1800 mm | Max roll weight: 50 kg | Core diameter: 3-inch (76.2 mm) or 2-inch (50.8 mm)
- Anti-Collision Unit protects the printhead carriage from media misfeed damage on roll-to-roll production
White Ink System & Printhead Maintenance
- White Ink Recirculation System — circulates white UV ink at regular intervals during idle time
- Prevents UV white ink pigment sedimentation — a critical maintenance issue in UV printing where idle white ink can settle and clog nozzles
- Keeps the printhead in good status for consistent white channel output
- Capping & Wiping System with one-pass wiper — speeds up printhead maintenance with much lower noise
- FlexiPRINT / Onyx (optional) + GZ Printer Manager software for professional color and white management
