Chicago, Illinois, September 9, 2005 – Combining technologies from across the company's Color Products and Advanced Solutions Divisions, Roland DGA Corp. has introduced the Packaging Prototyping System, an efficient in-house solution for producing professional packaging prototypes in less than one day. On display at this week's Print '05 Conference (Roland exhibit, Booth #7943), the Packaging Prototyping System incorporates Roland's advanced print/cut and 3D scanning and milling technologies into a complete solution for creating precision, custom packaging prototypes. The Packaging Prototyping System is targeted for printers, product designers, graphic designers and other professionals involved in the creation of custom product packaging. “The Packaging Prototyping System sets a new standard for efficiency and cost effectiveness for the product packaging industry,” said Barry Johnston, color products division manager, Roland DGA Corp. “As an in-house solution, the Packaging Prototyping System allows professionals to generate precision packaging prototypes quickly, and to review and refine their designs easily – without the expense and added time involved in outsourcing.” The Packaging Prototyping System features the following equipment: •Roland LPX-1200 3D laser scanner - 0.0039" scanning resolution - Scans objects up to 5" in diameter and 8" high - Includes powerful reverse engineering software - Compatible with all 3D CAD software •Roland MDX-40 3D milling machine - Subtractive rapid prototyping technology - Mills 12” x 12” x 4.12” work volume - Fourth rotary axis for unattended two- and four-sided milling - Bundled 4-axis CAM software - High-speed 15,000 rpm spindle •Roland SOLJET PRO II V SC-545EX 54”-wide integrated printer/cutter - Featuring new ECO-SOL MAX ink - Precision printing and contour cutting - Maximum print speed of 315 sqft./hr. at 450 x 360 dpi - Up to 1440 x 1440 dpi resolution - Prints on uncoated and coated media - Variable droplet technology - No special ventilation or environmental equipment - Includes VersaWorks RIP software •Standard vacuum forming equipment The production process is as follows: Produce Blister Packaging Using the LPX-1200 laser scanner with included software, capture the 3D surfaces of the product. Mill the vacuum forming mold using the MDX-40 3D Milling Machine and included easy-to-use CAM software. Then position the mold into the vacuum forming machine for quick production of the vacuum formed blister packaging. Create Custom Graphics Design the packaging graphics using standard graphic design software, adding a vector cut line for each contour cut required. Import the file into VersaWorks. Using VersaWorks, send the file to the SOLJET PRO II V SC-545EX integrated printer/cutter. The SC-545EX quickly and automatically completes both the printing and contour cutting processes required for a custom packaging prototype. Assemble Packaging Prototype Manually assemble the product into the packaging materials for a finished, professional packaging prototype. All Roland Packaging Prototyping System components are available through the company's authorized reseller channel. Standard vacuum forming equipment can be purchased separately.