A compact high-resolution color printer for 3D objects.
What does it do?
It is a compact ‘benchtop’ A2-plus format flatbed UV-cured inkjet that may print in excessive decision color straight onto 3D objects as much as 204mm excessive. Roland claims it’s the quickest small UV printer in its class. 3D on this case primarily signifies that slight curves might be accommodated, comparable to cellphone instances or USB sticks, though it may print on cylindrical objects comparable to flasks through an elective rotator accent. The printer can deal with most supplies together with steel, plastic, glass, wooden, canvas, vinyl and paper. It will possibly print a number of small objects held in jigs on the mattress.
When was it launched, who’s it aimed toward?
The MO-240 was launched on 11 January 2024. It’s aimed toward producers and industrial printers that wish to print straight onto objects, versus utilizing transfers. “Our core goal marketplace for this product is PSPs, significantly these producing promotional merchandise,” says Francisco Lozano, product supervisor, UV & Cutters for Roland DG EMEA. “This printer can also be aimed toward factories and types that produce or outsource merchandise with display or pad printing.”
The MO-240’s format is suited to purposes comparable to management panel covers, electrical objects together with cellphone instances and gaming gear, or nameplates, signage, bottles, flasks and trophies.
The MO-240 is the most recent and smallest of Roland’s new household of VersaObject flatbeds which might be changing its earlier VersaUV fashions. The primary of those, known as the CO sequence, have been introduced final yr, 4 with fastened flatbed tables and two with belt programs. They’ve both 762mm or 1,625mm print widths and mattress lengths of two,050mm, 3,065m, or 3,625mm. All can take objects as much as 200mm excessive. Costs begin at £44,999.
How does it work?
It’s a flatbed inkjet with a hard and fast printhead carriage gantry and a transferring vacuum mattress. The compact total configuration means it may match on a suitably sturdy bench, whereas the clamshell entrance cowl prevents UV gentle straying outdoors.
Throughput is 2.07sqm/hr in CMYK mode, due to newly developed massive heads in a staggered format, ‘potent’ UV-LED curing, and new dot management know-how for optimised high-speed output.
Roland says that productiveness for simultaneous white printing has doubled to 1.83sqm/hr in contrast with the outgoing mannequin, with shorter curing occasions giving sharper replica of intricate particulars, high quality textual content, and gradations. There’s an automated cleansing operate.
The eight color inkset consists of CMYK plus orange and pink for an roughly 20% gamut improve over CMYK alone, although this will probably be within the red-yellow hues. There may be additionally white and clear within the set. The clear ink produces “premium gloss” or matt finishes and might create textures, together with 3D embossed results. A primer fluid is elective for some supplies, particularly glass and metals. This replaces as soon as of the opposite colors.
Numerous mixtures of the combination of orange, pink, white, clear and primer are supplied, together with double white and double clear collectively. Inks might be swapped, but it surely’s not straightforward and requires thorough cleansing, so most customers will keep on with their unique selection, feels Lozano.
The Roland EUV5 ‘eco-UV’ inks are provided in 750ml pouches.
The printable space is 610x458mm and the peak is adjustable to take objects as much as 204mm excessive. The elective 360˚ rotary axis unit handles cylindrical objects comparable to bottles from 10mm to 121mm diameter.
Relating to a number of small objects, Roland doesn’t provide jig format software program or cutters, however Lozano says “we will assist by providing recommendation on the way to create these, whether or not makeshift or creating bespoke jigs. We are able to additionally suggest third-party suppliers.” Jigs might be comprised of a wide range of supplies from inflexible foamboard to laborious plastics.
There’s a 7in full-colour contact panel mentioned to provide intuitive operation, whereas Roland’s VersaWorks 6 RIP is a part of the bundle.
Roland additionally affords cloud-based print administration software program known as PrintAutoMate to customers who take out its Premium Plan within the Roland DG Join assist bundle. This robotically converts printing information into pre-registered fixture format information, assigns print jobs to operators, and integrates with the VersaWorks 6 RIP. Roland says this “vastly improves effectivity and minimises errors in manufacturing processes.”
Does it substitute something?
The MO-240 replaces the sooner VersaUV LEF2-300 mannequin. Roland says it’s on common over 20% quicker and has an nearly 10% bigger printing space than the earlier mannequin. The MO-240 features a vacuum desk as customary.
What’s the USP?
It’s a compact high-res UV flatbed with prolonged gamut inks, the power to print on curves, and barely greater efficiency than its predominant competitor within the Mimaki UJF vary.
How straightforward is it to make use of?
“The touchscreen makes navigating menus straightforward,” says Lozano. “The printer can also be suitable with PrintAutoMate, our newest software program which is designed to assist the set-up of excessive manufacturing print jobs.”
What does it price?
£26,499.
SPECIFICATIONS
Course of Flatbed UV-cured inkjet
Max decision 1,200dpi
Inks Roland DG EUV5 in 750ml pouches
Colors CMYK, pink, orange, white, clear, primer
Max print dimension 610x458mm
Max object depth 204mm
Max object weight 8kg (4kg with vacuum mattress)
RIP Roland VersaWorks 6
Footprint 1.6×1.3m
Worth £26,499
Contact Roland DG 01275 335540 www.rolanddg.eu
ALTERNATIVE
Mimaki UJF 6042 MkII e
Mimaki invented the ‘child UV flatbed’ within the 2000s and has refined its fashions since. Its present A2 mannequin prices a bit of greater than the brand new Roland, however see the provide under. It has a barely bigger mattress, although is extra restricted on object peak. Its greater decision would possibly matter for high quality instrument labels.
Course of Flatbed UV-cured inkjet
Decision 600, 900, 1,200, 1,800dpi
Colors CMYK, gentle cyan, gentle magenta, white, silver, clear, primer
Max print space 710x530mm
Max object depth 153mm
Max object weight 30kg
RIP Mimaki RasterLink7
Footprint 2.2×1.6m
Weight 330kg
Worth £31,795. There’s a proposal on till nineteenth March that features a free desk and ioniser, plus a two-year guarantee
Contact Hybrid Companies 01270 501900 www.hybridservices.co.uk