Following the success of its VersaUV LEC-330 innovative roll- and sheet-fed UV-curable print-and-cut solution, Roland DG (UK) has introduced a 1370 mm (54 inch) version which will appeal to users looking for high quality and niche application areas. Incorporating the company's LED curing technology and flexible inks, which include a highly opaque white and clear varnish, the new VersaUV LEC-540 is designed to output very fine quality displays, customised and prototyped packaging, control panels, labels and decals as well as industrial applications.

With a maximum resolution of 1,440 x 1,440 dpi and the ability to support thicker/rigid materials up to 1 mm, the Roland VersaUV LEC-540 benefits from a refined LED curing system for long life high production, and a new ink circulation system for lower running costs. The machine can be used to output matte and gloss clear varnish which can be applied in multiple layers to produce special effects and tactile finishes, including Braille.

The integrated cutting capabilities of the LEC-540 now incorporate new cutting, perforating and creasing tools, with the machine's table unit enabling thicker materials to be handled efficiently. Its versatility enables users to produce a vast range of high quality printed, cut, creased and folded applications from a single system, enhanced by the ability to output sophisticated gloss and matte textures.

Included with the VersaUV LEC-540, as with all Roland ink-jet systems, is the company's VersaWorks RIP. This comprehensive software solution includes 72 ready to use textures and special finishes so that users can easily produce unusual and distinctive effects which, hitherto, have not been available from a wide-format ink-jet printer.

Fine detail and sharp, clear text are enhanced with the use of Roland Intelligent Pass Control technology, with ease of set-up and production level print speeds allowing time-saving and efficient throughput of single and multiple jobs. Users can choose from three ink combinations of CMYK plus white and clear, CMYK plus two white ink channels for high opacity or CMYK plus two clear varnish channels, ideal for multi-layer effects.

Designed to output to most materials, the LEC-540 prints and cuts to a range of packaging substrates, vinyls, films and papers, artists' canvases and industrial products. Its long-life LED curing lamps ensure finished prints need no additional drying time, and its fine quality output is suitable for very close viewing.

"We're pleased to add this wider version of Roland's UV-curable print-and-cut technology to our portfolio of versatile ink-jet products," states Brett Newman, Technical Director of Roland DG (UK). "The potential of the VersaUV is continually being discovered by users wanting to move into niche markets where special effects across a wide range of materials and different types of application can be produced to very exacting standards. The generous size of this new machine will enable increasingly innovative displays to be created and generated whilst the improved cutting and creasing tools benefit the labelling, prototyping and packaging sectors."