Anyone know how fast a VP540 prints?

[Gene@mpls]

I am looking at at an XC540 which prints at 150sf per hour at 720x720 and I can't find what the Roland claimed for the VP540 at that (or any other)
rez. Wondering if anyone has that info. Thanks Gene

 

[Andrew O]

Standard mode speed for the VP-540 on vinyl is 86 sfph, banner is 101 sfph. Banner is a little faster because standard mode is actually 540 x 720 dpi.

I assume you are looking at a used machine. If you get it, make sure to update the firmware to the latest version so that you have Roland Intelligent Pass Control and the ability to use the current version of VersaWorks.

 

[2B]

+1

also beware of hours used vs maintenance log ensuring the machine was properly cleaned for print quality.

 

[rushworks graphics]

you won't go far wrong with a vp540. we got our vp540i last summer and are extremly pleased with it! sure, its not the fastest kid on the block but, prints great, low maintenence and does what its supposed to!

 

[petepaz]

if you are worried about speed and you have the money get the xc. we have both machines and the xc blows away the vp

 

[LittleSnakey]

I think thats a trick question...
Using Versaworks a Standard quality, 720x720 8' long print will take 24minutes with the gcvp glossy calendered vinyl profile. Arlon gtx4560 profile takes 37min. Going to high quality with gcvp takes 47min. Standard quality with W-Pass will take 40min with the gcvp profile. You loose a lot of quality on banner mode and you will see alot of banding, at least that is our experience. We also have some problems with the summa finding the crop marks printed in banner or lower quality modes.
We usually use standard quality mode, and use Flexi more often than Versaworks for ripping and printing, mainly cause with versa I have to make my own opus marks and a separate outline in black for contour cutting.

 

[Andrew O]

@littlesnakey - I just reviewed my post and realized it may have been a bit confusing. As you know, there are two different "Standard" modes on that machine. One for banner, and one for vinyl. They do operate at different speeds. "Banner Mode" is a higher speed low resolution mode that you are absolutely right, will result in some quality trade-offs. It is both image and media dependent. I was referring to the Standard Mode for banner, not the Banner Mode.

 

[rushworks graphics]

99 % of the time we use standard mode on both vinyl and banner and the quality is great.

 

[Gabriel]

Hi,
Here are some informations about VP-540 printing speed:

Generic Banner : Billboard (fastest) - 2 pass - 15,5High Speed - 4 pass - 9,9
Standard - 8 pass - 5,2
High quality - 9 pass - 3,0
Generic Vinyl : High Speed - 4 pass - 9,9
Standard - 8 pass - 5,2
High Quality - 8/9 pass - 3,0 - 2,8

This are square meters/hour, bidirectional.

Hope that helps..

 

[Gene@mpls]

OK- good info here. The situation here is I have a 2.5 year old VP540
that we work to death and need more production. I have looked for a VP300
to suppliment it (thinking the color management would be easier) but there
are not many of them and I can't find a nice one. So now the one brain cell
I have left is forming the thought that I should replace the VP with a faster
Roland- like the XC. So I am trying to get an idea how much faster the XC is.

Andrew- looking at the xc specs I was wrong @ 720x720 it is 75sfph- which
does not jive with the VP being 86? I think this would be the best printer
for us as we need an integral cutter at this point. Thanks Gene

 

[Gabriel]

Hi,
Here are some info about XC printing speed. I hope the attachment wiil work.
Regards,

 

[Andrew O]

On an XC-540, standard mode is usually 360 x 720, and will yield very good results with a decent profile and quality media. What is confusing is that there are actually several standard modes, which are profile dependent. So, depending on how which template the profile was built on, standard mode can range from 89 (540 x 720, 7 pass) to 151 sfph (360 x 720, 4 pass). 720 x 720 is high quality mode, and is usually overkill, with the above provisos about profiles and media. Most of the work I have seen from the 126 sfph or 151 sfph modes is more than sellable.

I realize this all begs the question of why, exactly, there are multiple "standard" modes, and all I can tell you is that I didn't name them.

If you want to shoot me an email at aoransky@rolanddga.com I'd be more than happy to get some of your reference files printed in various modes so you can compare print times and quality to see what I am talking about.

 

[Custom_Grafx]

VS with double cmyk will also be something to consider?

 

[petepaz]

we had the same question each time we upgraded our printers so all printing the same file on the same settings sp300 = 19min, vp540 = 11min, xc 540 = 7min
(the file was full color graphics approx 20in x 42in

 

[Gene@mpls]

Thank you all- esp Petepaz- I cannot switch mid season but I will do some-
thing next fall-winter and I like to look at all (Roland) options. Gene