Does anyone have any experience with the Roland Impact Printers?
I'm interested but I don't know if the cost can be justified. Any info will be greatly appreciated. Of course the manufacturer says I'll make a bundle but i would like the real scoop from someone whose been there. Thanks, Buck

I use the MPX-50. I looked at the MPX-70 at the show, did not exactly like the results, not bad, but not what I produce.

Add to that the fact that it uses wearable impact tips to make the machine cheaper, and the cost of replacement tips per item, (as figured from the salesman's figures), and I did not want it. And then how do you know that the quality has dropped enough that you need a new tip? When you start to notice it, probably you are doing poor work. They should have been going to faceted diamonds rather than away from diamonds.

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

Harvey's Tips Page When you finally understand it completely... it changes.

Hi,
I won't comment on how to use it but I will ask where/how you are planning to use it. We do a great deal of business with it but 99% of our customers are kids. Who will your market be?

Dee

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

Thanks to everyone who responded to my question.
I have a lot of options on where I can use it such as dog or cat shows,
and we have some large horse shows in my area. I plan to take my own photos on site so I won't have to worry about copy right issues.
Dee stated that she does quite well selling to kids but it seems that it would be expensive for kids to buy. Care to elaborate Dee?
Again, thanks to everyone.
Buck

Including proper photo setup and engraving for the best results, a 1x2 dog tag takes about 30-45 minutes. The actual engraving on the tag is 20-30 minutes. That is for an MPX-50. You have to run at about 1/2 speed from the default to get a really good image. Image prep is critical to a good result. You need to develop an eye for what is best, certainly not the best looking picture. The places that do it for a living, (carts in a mall), usually have four machines. The MPX-50 is a bummer in that each machine needs its own IEEE parallel port. The machine has almost no memory and ties up the port during the whole operation.

Never call it a Metaza publicly, it is Impact Engraving. Do not give your business away by advertising the sources of the equipment.

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

Harvey's Tips Page When you finally understand it completely... it changes.

Buck,
Our least expensive impact is 24.95 done on a nickle plated dog tag. They go up to $50.00 or more if they have jewels around them and then add an "upscale" chain. The kids have no problem with those prices as they are often thought about as an article of clothing like a watch.

We sell an average of 10 a week and yes 99% are to kids and young adults.

Dee

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

Hello Buck,

Many of the forum replies to your question have been "right on". Having worked with the Metaza products, and being the lead technology source for glazing/doming these products with capabilities approved by Roland and Dr. Metaza himself... see our website (UV Glazing), once you find your market the products are very successful and was a top notch winner and the recent PMA Show in Orlando. There is also a "MetazaMasters" Yahoo Group that you might want to check into to get the opinions of users of the technology.

Best of luck.

Dave / LipChip

I had an old MPX50, and didn't really care for it that much.

To really "see" the images, you had to hold the image just right to get the glimmer of light to reflect off it.

You also can not use it on any item that has a lip to it, where the engraving area is lower than an outer edge.

It did seem to take a long time to engrave, but I've heard the new ones are much faster and I believe a bit higher resolution.

YMMV

The only problem with higher resolution, is that you still have to tilt it just right to see the image.

There are one or two tricks that I keep to myself that makes it look right at almost any angle. When you get it to the old 'just right' angle it looks crappy though.

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

Harvey's Tips Page When you finally understand it completely... it changes.