Versa...Works or VersaVacation?: Why Is My Print Head Wandering Like It's on Vacation? Versaworks - versauv leaf - 12i and leaf2 -200 - unacceptable t

[IamTheVector]

Hi Everyone,

I have a straightforward question regarding VersaWorks and the VersaUV LEF-12i and LEF2-200 machines. I need to print two graphics on the same support.

Although I’m new to this type of software, I have experience with plotters, 2D laser cutters, and similar machines. The issue I’m encountering with this, is the toolpath management: the software or machine treats the empty space between prints as part of the toolpath, even though there’s no processing required in those areas.

This results in unnecessary head movement over non-productive regions, which is inefficient and time-consuming. Is there a way to configure the software to prevent the head from moving over areas where no printing is needed?

For a machine of this cost, marketed as professional equipment, such poor toolpath management seems unacceptable. I’d appreciate any guidance or solutions to optimize this process.

Thank you.

 

[victor bogdanov]

Very common for printers to do this, it is not going to "fast forward" to the next spot where prints begin

 

[IamTheVector]

Very common for printers to do this, it is not going to "fast forward" to the next spot where prints begin

For those printers maybe. I've never seen that happening on a simpler plotter for example. That is so time consuming. Is this a Brand Related behaviour or there are more inteligent machines?

 

[victor bogdanov]

For those printers maybe. I've never seen that happening on a simpler plotter for example. That is so time consuming. Is this a Brand Related behaviour or there are more inteligent machines?

I think most printers , from low end to high end will not "fast forward" like you want. Some won't scan/move the printhead speeding things up a but the media will still advance step by step.

 

[Solventinkjet]

I don't know if it's a RIP thing or a printer thing but I've definitely seen a Mutoh skip the white space.

 

[BigNate]

Are you sending both print 1 and print 2 in the same 'image' to the printer.... or to the printer is it just receiving 1 large graphic to print? I have seen our 700w do what you describe when I send multiple posters in the same image - but if I let the printer determine the gap between images, then send 2 posters the printer will finish 1 then form-feed, then print the 2nd...

so this really may be an issue with what you are sending... if you truly RIP the image (Rasterize Image Processor) - then there is no break as there is simply a large rasterized area defined, nothing in vectors at this point. I think that if the printer finishes an image or print, and then has a command for blank space it will not waste motion or time moving the carriage over the blank media.

 

[cornholio]

Problem here is the type of printer. Since these are UV prints, they need to be cured and therefore need additional passes with the lamp.
Ecosolvent Rolands would skip the white spaces.

 

[Jim Hancock]

Not sure if this will take care of the feed issue between images, but check that Full Width Scan is turned off in the user menu. At the very least, it will shorten print times by only printing data.

 

[Warmoth]

Our Rolands are all EcoSol and they do skip white spaces when sent from Versaworks. Meaning the heads don't move if no ink is needed. The feed is still incremental, and not a smooth scroll that spans long distances.

 

[petepaz]

we have roland, mimaki and efi printers and they all do the same thing.
i asked our tech onetime and he gave me an answer that kind of made sense but really i think he didn't know either...haha
he said it had something to do with the machine staying at the same speed to keep everything aligned correctly

 

[JBurton]

For those printers maybe. I've never seen that happening on a simpler plotter for example. That is so time consuming. Is this a Brand Related behaviour or there are more inteligent machines?

Have you ever seen a plotter cut small portions in a scan motion like a printer? You're looking at two pieces of similar equipment in one aspect, but failing to see that the printer runs at a 'high speed' in one direction only, left to right, the feed motors are geared much slower, since the printer has to scan across the width of the print X many times per inch. Just gang up a bunch of prints and run it overnight, or charge more for the print time.
As far as smarter machines, I'd reckon a flat bed could print so much in one area as one job, then another area as a different job, but I'm not really familiar with any of them. I guess the LEF2-200 is a flat bed, can you not just send two different jobs at two different positions on the printer? Or could you print the top alone, spin the sheet, then print the second half 'upside down'?

 

[Tatonka]

With those Roand's (and Mimaki's too), it's always more efficient to have prints lined up in the scan direction first (head travel direction), before adding more copies in the feed direction (table travel direction).