A Digital Printing Network
Wanted - Used Versacamm SP300 or VP300
Hi,
We're in the market for a 30" versacamm. We are open to the SP or the VP and would like to hear feedback from folks as to the differences between the two -- I understand the VP is supposed to have better tracking/alignment accurracy. Our primary focus is garments (specifically to address the short-run dark garments we can not presently handle with our Brother GT-541 - the Brother GT782 doesn't appear to be make financial sense at a cost per print level), so I'm not anticipating long prints to be sucked back up for cutting, however we also expect to be diversifing and adding all the additional capabilities (banners, signs, car window prints, tailgates (not full wraps) etc) a versacamm will give us. Is the accurracy difference between these models significant? Are there other significant differences for the money?
Thanks!
- Ruth Ann
ruthann @ silvergriffinshirts.com
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by irving donaldson on -
Hey Ruth, not sure where your research results on the accuracy was derived from, but you are the first that I heard voice that concern. Both the SP and the VP require accuracy to do their job with satisfaction. The difference is the price, why is simple the SP has 2 heads and the VP has 4 heads. Printing with 4 heads allow the print to be produce quicker thus faster turn around. Both are sound machines and will provide years of dependable service. The Media available for both are the same and cover the spectrum. So in doing your decision making process think of what you want your through put to be and that will help in the final choice. I personally use the 54 in model but most of my prints could be handle by the 30 in model so the just case can be handled. Either version can do banners while you sleep. Hope this helps.
-
Permalink Reply by Ruth Ann Van Vranken on
-
Hi Irving,
It was a Roland rep at the ISS (Longbeach) a few years ago. He was talking more to the tracking of it sucking back in long lengths after printing. He did indicate that the VP was "a bit more accurate" and my question above was more to gauge what is "a bit more" really -- there's definately a difference between something is a measurement the company can use as a "reason why to buy our newest item" (that may be on the order of .001 or something while measureable is not "a bit more" that is a functional real world difference we are going to care about.
Thank you for chiming in with your experiences with the Versacamm.
- RA
-
Permalink Reply by Steven Jackson on -
Ruth,
The tracking on each unit is identical. The older (greater than 3 years) units did have a difference on the SP to VP model in that the SP models used a wire to guide the carriage back and forth and the VP models had a belt drive. The issue between them was that the wire could loose tension over a few years (mine did at the 3 year mark) and would need to be tightened. Not a real big deal. The belt drive is more stable over time and does not loose tension. I have an old SP model that is still used every day and a newer VP model that runs likewise. You will not see a difference on accuracy between them!
On any unit you do not want to have long runs that will need to be run back for critical accuracy cuts. We make it a general rule not to go past 3 or 4 feet on any run without having a bleed zone. The accuracy of all the units is 0.04 times the distance traveled. What that equates to is about 1/8 of an inch at 8 feet. In my book, that is pretty dang precise for the distance and cuts! For the long runs where the design requires that length (a trailer graphic or similar) you will need to add a bleed zone so that if it is off, there will be no noticing it once the graphic is weeded out. We routinely do this for long cuts.
The biggest difference between the two models is speed. Irv hit it on the head with the 2 print heads vs 4. The VP models have twice the amount of print heads and can print 43% faster than the SP models. I have always recommended that if you are looking to get into a printer, then you should go with the bigger printer and the slower speed at first. You can always get a faster printer later (If you need it, then you will be able to afford it with all the work!) but you cannot take on certain jobs with the smaller printer. I got my 300SP model over 4 years ago and kicked myself in the butt for not going with the larger printer. I had to outsource or convince my customers to go with smaller banners until we got the larger model. GO BIG!
Ruth - give me a call tomorrow and I will see if there are any options available right now in a used unit. I might have a source on an 540 SP. Email me direct if you do not have my cell number. steven@myverscamm.com
Hope this helps!
Steven
-
Permalink Reply by tom nikitas on -
ruth ann............i have new 30" VP-300i.................have only used it 5or 6 times......less then 1 hour machine is perfect.........prob a yr and a half left on warrenty..........were located in florida..........
richtack1@yahoo.com
407-349-0211
regards, tom
-
Permalink Reply by Mac Fick on
-
Ruth Ann, I have a 1 yr old 300 SP. I am going to buy a new 54 or 64 versacamm soon. You may give me a call @ 540-748-5455 if you have interest in this machine.
Mac Fick
-
Permalink Reply by KATIE FURTHMILLER on
-
Ruth Ann,
My small business is closing down, and I have a one year old VP300 30 inch that we will be selling. It has never left our home, and I believe it still has a year warranty left. It's condition is EXCELLENT with no issues.
Contact me with what you think it is worth at katie@furthmiller.com. We will need to sell it quickly, but by no means are in a desperate state to sell it below value. I would guess that it has been used approx. 40 hours. Also, I will include all the media that I have remaining, approx. $500 worth.
Thanks!
Katie Furthmiller
Just Name It
-
Permalink Reply by William Desrochers on -
Katie, what are you asking for it....? Where are you located?
© 2012 Created by Adam Yukish.
