Not happy. My yellow head went out and will be $3100 to fix. Parts being discontinued at end of year. I really don't want to outsource the printing, but not sure if investing $20,000 in a new system is something I can spend. Don't know what to do...anyone running a Roland? Seems like I would loose productivity waiting for it to print a job and then be able to cut something else. Thanks!
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
You can continue to print on the Roland and cut on another cutter. At Franklin, we did this. Print on Roland and cut on Graphtec.
If I was to invest in a new printer, I would look at bigger than a 30"...
Check out auctions for repo'd equipment. My last boss got a ripping deal on a Mimaki and Summa combo.
Posted by Nikki Goral (Member # 7844) on :
I was hoping to sell the cutter to help subsidize the new purchase. And all my other shop equipment is set up for a 30" roll...laminator, tables etc. I don't print that often and a 54" would be overkill for me...I would spend more $$$ maintaining it vs actually using it!
I have seen some Roland stuff and it seems to print nicely, but don't know anything about the inks.
I had thought about keeping the Mimaki cutter if I had to cut while something was printing.
Not sure about outsourcing either...how accurate will the color matching be? And what if I make a mistake???? Can't order extra of everything or wait 3 days to get a new piece....
Just really bummed. Finally was going to get a paycheck and now won't see one for a few more years.
Posted by TJ Duvall (Member # 3133) on :
Check around with some of your local IT professionals. They may be able to help direct you to some one that can fix the printer for a fraction of that cost. (Assuming that $3100 was from Mimaki). You never know you may get lucky and find someone.
Posted by Nikki Goral (Member # 7844) on :
TJ the price is from the distributor that the machine originally came from.
JV3 Print head assy $1,611.00 2 S-Damper Assy, Large $204.06 2 S-Pump Assy $271.78 1 Cap Slider Assy 4H, JV3-160,250 $188.57 3 DIGSERVICE Technician Time, On-Site,$450.00 4 Technician Travel Time, Ground Transport $380.00
TOTAL $3,105.41
The heads are $950 from suppliers and we can put them in, but I was told it is the adjustments that take time and the adj, must be done by a tech. The dist. won't adjust the head if installed by others...
Posted by Nikki Goral (Member # 7844) on :
Anyone run on a technology loan? Sounds better to me. Make the same payment as you would with a purchased machine and after 3 years they give you a new one...keeping a payment in perpetuality, but always have no maintenance fees and new equipment...
Posted by Mikes Mischeif (Member # 1744) on :
What kind of print sales justify this much expense?
Posted by Nikki Goral (Member # 7844) on :
Mike, not much. I got my Mimaki system used at 8 months old (still under warranty and service contract). Cutter, plotter and RIP software for $10,000 almost 8 years ago. I maintained it and it has never had any major repairs needed until now, which I guess, is a "wear and tear" item. I don't like relying on others to do my printing and the lead time is longer than I would care. Just not sure which way to go anymore. I am taking on a teaching position at the local tech college and if it develops the way I would like, it could become a full-time gig and my sign stuff would become a "pick & choose" hobby business, and not needing such a quick turnaround.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Nikki - my buddy has had nothing but quirky and mechanical problems with his Roland SolJet Pro...maybe they've improved them since he bought his... but they are so expensive to repair, one wonders if they are worth the investment?
You don't have someone who you can wholesale through?
Posted by Nikki Goral (Member # 7844) on :
Nothing quick enough, Todd. Everyone local is 1 week out. And I don't have that kind of time usually.
