The Roland VersaUV LEC2 s-series comes in either a flatbed format for board and rigid substrates or a belt version
Prototyping and production all in one
One major issue a printer or media company can have when pitching for new business can be demonstrating what the product will actually look like, but more importantly, what it will feel like. Architects spend hours on end making models or creating 3D virtual tours to try to ensure the client has the experience of the building or room that matches the real thing, for example. And it's no different when it comes to the sign industry.
You can always see on a white piece of paper what the product is intended to look like, but as the colours are laid down on another substrate other than that of the product, the lustre, depth of colour, and vibrancy are all affected and can alter the way the product looks.
So, what can a company do when the customer needs to feel confident the printer can deliver what they need? With a prototype made from the materials the end user will have in their hand, the decision to place the order can be taken with greater confidence.
Roland DG has developed a series of printers under the scope of its VersaUV LEC2 S-Series which are perfectly positioned to be able produce a finished product on every type of substrate from ultra-thin plastic film to wooden boxes up to 200mm thick meaning a one off is not a problem.
The machines in the series come with a number of common features but can be initially broken down into two major formats and then into sub-sets of those focused around media sizes.
The VersaUV LEC2 S-Series comes in either a flatbed format allowing for board and rigid substrates, or a belt version that can print on flexible substrates with unwind and rewind capability. The belt type printer is identified by the suffix B200 and comes with a media width of 762mm (LEC2-330S-B200) and 1625mm (LEC2-640S-B200).
The subset of the flatbed printer is a little wider as would be expected, with the initial breakdown of the models being with a media width of 762mm or 1625mm.
The kit can produce a finished product on substrates from ultra-thin plastic film to wooden boxes up to 200mm thick
The narrower width printer is known as the LEC2-330S-F200 and has a printing length of 1500mm. Moving up to the first of three wider width models, all with a media width of 1625mm, you have the LEC2-640S-F200 with a printing length of 1500mm as the narrow sibling. Then there are two further models with a wider media width. These are the LEC2-640S-F300 with a printing length of 2500mm and the LEC2-640S-F400 which has a printing length of 3148mm.
Regardless of the model, the media range is significant in as much as it stretches from 0.01mm up to 200mm which means thin plastic film or finished hard products or panels can have colour laid on them.
Colours for use, indoor or out
Next to the wide scope of media or substrate the VersaUV LEC2 S-Series of printers can process, the ink variations are wide and with the use of new colour (red and orange), the colour gamut is greatly expanded. Roland claims the new set of ECO-UV EUV5 can save up to 25% in ink price on previous generations of ink.
The combination of colours is your choice made up from the four-colour process set (CMYK) along with the new red and orange, white colour and gloss along with primers. There are three main combinations available but all provide a good adherence to the substrate along with significant improvements in printing blacks and shadows and highlights or a base layer for dark colours, with gloss for high-shine or matt finishes.
If needed, the VersaUV LEC2 S-Series can provide a solution for production of a decal containing CMYK, white, two gloss elements and a special decal primer. As said, the combination of the colour set needed for work is comprehensive and available across the full range of machines.
Safety first
The ECO-UV EUV5 inks used on the VersaUV LEC2 S-Series of printers hold the GREENGUARD Gold certificate meaning they have passed the most rigorous testing and have a very low impact on the environment. They contain very low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are nickel free.
GREENGUARD certification is part of UL Environment's ecological compliance program. UL Environment is part of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and acquired GREENGUARD in 2011 which provides purchasers with assurances that the products being supplied will comply with the highest of ecological standards.
By applying to hold the GREENGUARD certification, suppliers to end users can ensure they can back up claims the products they have supplied will make a minimal impact to the environment.
To satisfy the GREENGUARD gold standard, the inks supplied must meet the stringent emissions standards based on established chemical exposure criteria. Specifically, the ECO-UV EUV5 inks meet the UL2818 standard which is for low chemical emissions for indoor production.
The VersaUV LEC2 S-Series can print onto delicate products with ease
Furthermore, Roland has ensured the ECO-UV EUV5 inks have been tested to check they reach the standards laid out in EN-71/3:2019 Safety of Toys Part 3: Migration of certain elements Standard. This means even if the products end up in little mouths, there is a level of certainty they will not be harmed by the inks.
Not just for prototypes
Whilst a lot is said about the use of the VersaUV LEC2 S-Series for prototype work, the printers are not only designed for this purpose. Given the wide scope of the flatbed variations of the series and the wide scope of substrate thickness, the printers can provide a solution for all sorts of products.
The scope of machines in width and substrate type means the VersaUV LEC2 S-Series has great flexibility and capacity”
The ECO-UV EUV5 inks are suitable for indoor or outdoor applications on many different substrates. Side panels for machinery, graphics needed in point of sale or advertising, and the low run production of posters and signage are all possible on the VersaUV LEC2 S-Series of machines.
With the speed of printing and the fact the inks are dry as soon the printer has finished, the speed of production and delivery of a high quality finished product is assured.
Brian Sims Principal Consultant, Metis Print Consultancy, www.metis-uk.eu
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