OUTPUT

There was a time that anything falling into the 5m category of digital printer lacked the quality and substance to be suitable for anything better than distance viewing. But this is a sector where UV-curable technology has made considerable in-roads during the past few years, with the result being a selection of well-built machines that bring versatility to these engines and results that we couldn't have dreamed of a decade ago.

One of the most interesting contenders is the Virtu RR50 which comes out of the Polytype stable. This is now built in its new home in Fribourg, Switzerland, where every machine receives personal attention from start to finish in the manufacturing process. It's a piezo-electric drop-on-demand system which comes with a choice of 30 or 80-picolitre output so that end customers can decide whether they want an engine to produce purely distance applications or a unit that can output jobs suitable for close viewing.

The Virtu RR50 is a tough, industrial-strength machine which, despite its size, needs a modest footprint to accommodate both the printer and ease of access to its various parts. Nonetheless, it's designed so that a single operator can use the machine, including material feed once the reel is loaded, and it incorporates clever features and mechanisms to simplify its use.

The machine is constructed solidly, with a rugged steel frame and adjustable base supports being complemented by a precision transport system and the ability to handle rolls up to a maximum weight of 750kg. There's the option of a batch winder to speed up roll changeover and adjustable cutting allows for automatic trimming of materials.

This is a six-colour machine, suitable for bi- or uni-directional printing and it has a maximum resolution of 1,200dpi. The print-head unit contains 36 heads with 128 nozzles per head, configured with a special meniscus system to minimise the need for cleaning cycles. These heads are driven by a linear motor which has been designed to be wear-free, with maximum precision across all print modes.

Not surprisingly, the Virtu RR50 comes with an option for mesh and textile printing plus an anti-static device, both of which ensure that ink usage is controlled and doesn't stray. The machine can be used with typical roll-fed materials, including papers, PE, polyester, PVC, banner, vinyl and tarpaulin, with multiple reels able to be loaded quickly and easily for simultaneous production.

Output speeds are up to 320sq m/hr with the 80-picolitre option, which reduces to around half that rate when the machine is supplied with 30-picolitre heads. However, when printing multiple rolls designed for close viewing, this speed adjustment becomes less relevant as the unit can challenge other, slower engines quite justifiably in quality and versatility terms.

Overall the Virtu RR50 is an interesting superwide-format option, with its Swiss precision build bringing reassurance to potential end users who are considering what is, after all, a hefty investment. Polytype might not have a lengthy history in ink-jet production for the display market but its factory and R&D capabilities are extremely impressive, backed up by the company's pedigree for making complex equipment for the converting and finishing industries.

Target audience
Display producers wanting both the benefits of 5m and multi-roll printing on a single versatile device.

Relevant applications
Superwide-format and roll-fed jobs on most flexible materials, including meshes and digital textiles.

Price
From £325,000.

Pros and cons
This is a great workhorse machine for a wide range of roll-fed jobs, either across the whole width or in multiples. The choice of picolitre sizes means that users can get the output standards they want without compromise. The Virtu RR50 is manufactured by a specialist company and not in a production-line build environment, so quality should be assured. As the machine is delivered in one piece, purchasers need to make sure that they've got enough access on site to accommodate this. And, at the moment, there's no white ink option.

Verdict
The Polytype Virtu RR50 is an impressive unit which produces excellent results across a variety of different types of end materials. It's not a cheap unit, but it's designed to accommodate the needs of users who want a versatile and reliable 5m and multiple roll printer with a rugged design and build complemented by ease of operation and logical functionality.

Ease of use: 5/5
Speed: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Versatility: 4/5
Value for money: 5/5