The VersaCAMM™ VP-i Series

Let’s face it; times are tough. The economy has been in the tank, and most signshops are working hard, just to stay afloat. We’ve reduced costs and are working with our customers as partners, to help survive this mess.
We don’t know about you, but the stimulus hasn’t trickled down to us. As of yet, anyway.
From our view, signshop suppliers and equipment manufacturers aren’t faring much better. We’ve seen several distributors fail. And, it appears that new-product introductions have slowed – although our friends at Roland DGA have ignored this trend.
Throughout the past year, we’ve seen numerous digital-print manufacturing companies make one or no new-product launches. Roland, however, has offered them in bunches. At ISA’s SignExpo 2009, for example, Roland wowed attendees with several major introductions – products designed to offer performance and quality, at, we think, exceptional prices.
Chiefly, Roland has filled a gap between their VersaCAMM SP-i series and SolJet Pro III XC-540 printer/cutter products. For shops that address high-volume printing, it added new, industrial-class printers at lower-than-expected prices.
Without depleting your bankroll, the VersaCAMM VP-i printers can increase your shop’s production. Plainly, these new printers address our economic times.

The VersaCAMM VP-i family
Prior to the VP-i printer/cutter series announcement, Roland offered several digital printers that also cut vinyl. If your shop was a digital startup, with initial, low-volume requirements, Roland’s VersaCAMM SP-i hybrid could get you started for $12,495.
The VersaCAMM SPi series offers quality digital imaging, as well as trouble-free, print-and-cut processing. Print production is approximately 52 sq. ft./hr., in standard mode. If your print demand increases, your choice is to add an additional printer or move up to the 54-in.-wide, SolJET PRO III XC-540 printer, which triples the SPi’s print output speed at a price of $31,495.
Or, you could choose from the new VersaCAMM VP-i series, for an in-between option.
The VersaCAMM VP-i family presents two print-and-cut models; both offer excellent print quality at fast print speeds. Each will print and contour cut CMYK signs and billboards, as well as decals and heat transfers for apparel. Both also feature hardware and software upgrades and an optional, heavy-duty, media take-up system.

Specifications
The VP-300i will manage media up to 30 in. wide, and the VP-540i handles it up to 54 in. wide. The 240-lb., VP-540i is 90.9 in. wide, 29.1 in. deep and 44.3 in. high. Similarly, the 193-lb. VP-300i measures 66.9 in. x 29.1 in. x 44.3 in. The quoted weights include the stands.
While printing, the VP-540i consumes 1,030W; the VP-300i consumes 730W. The printers have a no-nonsense control panel that includes heater-temperature selections. A 10/100 Base-TX Ethernet interface connects the printer to your shop’s LAN.

Printing technology
The VP-i printers use matching, variable-dot, piezo-electric printheads that can produce up to 1,440 x 1,440-dpi resolution. These use the company’s proprietary, Intelligent Pass Control Technology, which virtually eliminates banding.
VP-300-i has a maximum print speed of 113 sq. ft./hr.; the VP-540-I tops at 149 sq. ft./hr.

Inks and media
The CMYK printers use Roland’s vibrant, ECO-SOL Max inks (available in either 220- or 440cc units) that are almost odorless and require only customary shop venting. Printed graphics are UV-fade, water- and scratch-resistant for up to three years.
When operated as a printer (not contour cutter), the maximum media thickness is 1mm. The machine’s cutting system can handle media up to 16 mil thick.
An optional, heavy-duty, roll, take-up system (TU-2) adds $2,094 to the price. If you want unattended operation, it’s money well spent. With the TU-2 installed, the VP-300i can handle a roll weight up to 44 lbs., and the VP-540i can handle up to 66 lbs. An integrated, tension sensor ensures optimum media feed and tracking.
The price includes Roland’s two-year, trouble-free warranty and the VersaWorks RIP, which ships with all Roland printers and printer/cutter products.
VersaWorks includes features found in expensive, third-party RIPs. For example, it has advanced color-management support, and one copy can drive up to four Roland printers. The software is based on a true Adobe PostScript Level 3 engine that features such advanced layout tools as tiling, nesting, variable-data printing and full network support.

Summing up
With its VP-i series, we believe Roland has introduced another strong line of printers – one that fills the gap between the SP-i printers and the XC-540. The VP-i’s are fast, reasonably priced and built for continuous use. They also produce beautiful prints. The VP-i series is a great choice for shops that want higher productivity than the SP-i printers offer, but can’t justify Roland’s XC-540.

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Key Information

Roland DGA Corporation
15363 Barranca Pkwy.
Irvine, CA 92618-2216
(949) 727-2100
www.rolanddga.com
Company Profile: Roland DGA Corporation, the U.S.-based marketing, distribution and sales arm of Roland DG Corporation of Hamamatsu, Japan, is a leader in the sign, graphic arts, fine-art, vehicle-graphics, UV-cure ink, photography, engraving and 3-D modeling industries. Founded in 1981 and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Roland DG is a provider of vinyl cutters, thermal-transfer printer/cutters, wide-format inkjet printers and printer/cutters, 3-D scanners and milling devices, and engravers.
At a Glance: The VersaCAMM™ VP-i series is a complete print/cut system for busy, mixed-production environments – the 30- and 54-in. models can be left unattended for long production runs and require virtually no operator maintenance.
Also, as of press time, Roland has introduced its fifth generation of the VersaCAMM line – the 64-in., eight-color VersaCAMM VS-640, with a metallic-ink option. See page 14 for more information.

Contact: Roland DGA sales
(800) 542-2307
sales@roladdga.com

 

 

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