Roland

Clearly, Roland DGA Corporation, an industry force, releases high-end products that target grand-format and industrial shops, such as the company’s sublimation printers, which don’t often attract the small to medium signshops. Generally such shops are more interested in solvent or eco-solvent printers.

The VersaCAMM VP Series answers those demands. It’s a 30-in. model that’s designed to handle most small signshops’ needs. A wider, 54-in. model is also available. Priced from $14,995 for the VP-300, and $20,995 for the VP-540, most shops can afford these printers.

Specifications

These two eco-friendly printers – virtually the same, aside from width and speed output – include vinyl-cutting and single-machine print/cut capabilities. These shorter printers depart from the traditionally large, enclosed and more familiar-looking Roland models . The company said the printers were designed for compact office environments.

Specifically, the power requirements are 100 to 120VAC, 5.8A, 50/60Hz or 220 to 240VAC, 3A, 50/60Hz for the VP-300 or 100 to 120VAC, 8.3A, 50/60Hz or 220 to 240VAC, 4.3A, 50/60Hz for the VP-540. Environmentally, the space needs a 59 to 90° F temperature range, with a relative humidity of 20 to 80%, non-condensing.

The 193-lb. VP-300 measures 66.9 in. wide x 29.1 in. deep x 44.3 in. high. The 240-lb. VP-540 is 90.9 in. wide x 29.1 in. deep x 44.3 in. high. These aren’t monster printers, but still fairly stout. An optional ink tray, though, increases the printer’s depth to 39.4 in. to accommodate an optional 440ml ink cartridge.

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The printers contain a redesigned control panel, which greatly simplifies maintenance and print and/or cut settings. A media roll-length counter tracks remaining media after you enter its length. As media print, the counter decrements. To change rolls, print the current roll length on the media’s leading edge. A test-print menu allows up to eight media presets, which includes heat-temperature settings.

The VP Series includes a pre- heater and a dryer that operate in ranges of 86 to 112° F or 86 to 122° F, respectively.

Connections and options

Today, all systems include an Ethernet connection. These printers connect with a 10/100 Ethernet interface. A special cable, called a “cross-over,” will connect two Ethernet devices without a switch, router or hub. In essence, the “receive” and “transmit” wires are reversed (hence, crossed over) from one end to the other. These cables, available in most office-supply chains, cost approximately $20.

The VP Series’ automated, media take-up system option enables continuous, unattended printing, as well as heavier media rolls. The 30-in. model can handle 44-lb. rolls; the 54-in. model can hold 66-lb. rolls.

Inks, media, and print speed

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Few printers use less than six colors. Eight- and 12-color machines aren’t unusual. As color gamuts grow, and image quality increases, so do the operating costs. With four colors (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) and a maximum 1,440-dpi resolution, the VP Series printers still produce excellent-quality images. The VP Series incorporates a four-printhead design, instead of two heads for four colors.

There are five different print modes. The VP-300 runs at 21 to 28 sq. ft./hr. top speed in the 1,400 x 1,400 mode. The VP-540 clocks in at 27 to 32 sq. ft./hr. (The standard mode is a very respectable 44 [VP-300] or 56 sq. ft./hr.)

The excellent output can be produced at approximately seven to eight, 2 x 3-ft. prints per hour. The fastest mode is used for such distance-viewed images as banners. The VP-300 runs up to 124 sq. ft./hr., and the VP-540 can hit 166 sq. ft./hr. That’s fast.

The printers use Roland’s ECO-SOL Max ink line, which reportedly registers three-year, outdoor durability. Although the room should be ventilated, no special venting is required, which lowers ownership cost. The printer can use either 220ml cartridges or, with the extended-ink tray, 440ml cartridges. The latter helps minimize ink downtime and facilitates unattended printing, if the optional, take-up system is added.

Roland, which offers an extensive selection of films, coated papers, banner materials and various specialty media, sets the low-ink-density image-production cost at 46 cents per sq. ft. and a high-ink-density image at 58 cents. The new VersaWorks RIP will offer another incentive to stick with Roland media.

Media handling

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Often, the “economy” printer models lack high-end aspects found on top-of-the-line offerings. Lighter materials will work fine, but, throw in something thick or heavy, and the media skews or bands because of pulling. The VP Series happily provides well-designed media handling.

The printers incorporate seven pinch rollers to insure accurate tracking. Printhead height can be adjusted up to 1mm thick, and cutting media can be raised .22mm (9 mil) high to accept thicker media. The printers also include removable media guides (Fig. 5), which can be used with media that tend to edge-curl.

Vinyl cutting too

Roland has updated its print-and-cut method to increase accuracy and decrease complexity. Contour lines are designed into the graphic, and the new RIP automatically handles printing and cutting. Roland’s Quadralign system has simplified contour cutting a laminated piece. During printing, targets are added in the image’s corners. Remove the laminated print; re-load the printer, and optical sensors will find the targets.

This solid device cuts up to 11.8 in. per second. Accuracy is 0.1mm or less; the force ranges from 30 to 200 grams.

A final note

Roland has engineered these printers to be virtually maintenance free. An automatic-cleaning system enables immediate printing, even if the printer has been idle for days. With the new VersaWorks RIP, a package starts at $14,995.

Key Information

Roland DGA Corporation

15363 Barranca Pkwy., Irvine, CA 92618-2216; (949) 727-2100; (949) 727-2112; www.rolanddga.com

Company Profile: Roland DGA Corporation, established in 1990, is the U.S.-based marketing, distribution and sales arm of Roland DG Corporation of Hamamatsu, Japan, a manufacturer of products in the sign, graphic-arts, fine-art, photography, engraving and 3-D modeling industries.

At a Glance: The VersaCAMM VP printer/cutter series includes two models: the 54-in. VP-540 and the 30-in. VP-300. Both machines feature accelerated print speeds; an optional, heavy-duty, media take-up system; numerous upgrades and VersaWorks 2.2 RIP software.