Flat bed applicators – reviews

[David Rowland]

i have been looking at them

one other is the bobis from a-tech

[Raman Singh]

Hey David, William Smith are holding an open day 20th October, they got RollsRoller in action and whole range of other products .

Might be worth a visit.
(how you guys are getting on with Clarity?)

[David Rowland]

which David…

been to the open day, it is worth going and Clarity is a hugh learning curve, yes we have as well

[Gill Harrison]

quote Dave Rowland:

which David…

been to the open day, it is worth going and Clarity is a hugh learning curve, yes we have as well

Hi David
Raman’s right but its not quite the same as the roadshow you visited. The open day is at the Smiths factory so the whole companies on show….3 rolls rollers in operation on the factory floor so your able to see all the inner workings of Smiths (all be it a bit more tidy than a normal day!!!) a good chance to talk to the staff who use the kit everyday rather than the us sales staff 🙄

[David McDonald]

Hi

Sorry for the delay in responding as its been so hectic over the last month.

I think we are going to order the Rapid Applicator from Robert Horne, the 455 model, we are going to trial a few jobs on a demo unit over the coming days before handing over the cheque though.

Fundamentally its down to price and the good existing relationship with RH. From our point of view the functionality and build quality are close enough so as not to influence our decision that much.

There are unique features and benefits offered by both machines that may mean others would make a different selection:-

The Rolls Roller (RR) has an optional ‘trough’ down each side to use for mounting onto banners going roll to roll from side to side – thought this was a nice touch, the RR has a wider range of larger sizes (albeit we didn’t want bigger), has a bigger & proven installed base in the UK.

The Rapid Applicator (RA) has a bigger effective work area by around 400mm (4m models), doesn’t have a bridge/gantry between the towers (we think this is a big plus), has a nifty extension support arm that pulls out of the table at one end, has a 5 year warranty (yes five).

I’m sure there are many more features & benefits that WmS and RH can list out for you!

Will let you know how we get on when we are using it in anger.

Cheers
Macky

[David McDonald]

Hi Raman

Good to hear from you.

I think Clarity is excellent but I just can’t find the time yet to get it fully integrated into our processes. Iits a ctach 22, if we had it all up and running as we intended we’d have more time on our hands!!!!! I’m going to switch my phone off for 2-days to sort it out.

Cheers
Macky

[Dan Osterbery]

Hi Guys,
any update on the rolls roller? Beginning to get interested in one and would like to know a bit more?

cheers

Dan

[David McDonald]

Hi Dan

Not much more to add about our Rapid Applicator than I’d previously stated.

It just works! Easy to lay down prints of any size with a perfect finish every time. It means everyone can now get vinyl down onto panels, whereas before a few of the fitters (more suited to hitting things with hammers) didn’t have the level of finesse required. It is giving us flexibility and saves time (money).

We are very happy with it.

I’m sure the Rolls Roller will give you the same benefits – I’d get a demo of both the RR and RA.

Cheers
Macky

[Dan Osterbery]

thanks Macky, i think i will have to go and play with them both! Can they be used easily for applying backing tape as well or are they just for vinyl to substrate?

thanks

Dan

[David McDonald]

Hi Dan

We’ve never actually taped anything up with it! Only mounted previously taped up cut vinyl, or mostly prints to boards. I’ll have a go and come back to you.

Cheers

[Dan Osterbery]

thanks, recently employed new staff and having a few problems in different areas and wonder if this is the solution to simplify and speed up production.

appreciate it

Dan

[Warren Beard]

I’ve had my RA for a week now and absolutely love it, it is saving me so much time I can actually get home to see my kids and the dog doesn’t bark at me any more as he remembers me :lol1:

I’ve only had it a week and wouldn’t want to be without one ever again 😛 It’s my new "apprentice" 😉

[Dan Osterbery]

cheers warren! more research needed i feel! going home?? whats that??

[Warren Beard]

sorry for got to mention my reasons for choosing the RA over the RR

The RA glass comes in 2 pieces so if one got broken you only have to replace half the glass.

It was slightly larger than the RR (I also got the 4.5m option)

It had the extendable arms (you can get for both sides as well if you wanted)

It has the clear bridge so easy to flip graphics over the top

On the mechanical side I felt (but have no technical knowledge if I’m actually right or wrong on this) but the roller is driven by 2 belt drives on either side which means they move together rather than the one side "pulling" on the other side to make them move together. (I hope that makes sense)

Either way I think both machines will give you the same performance and have the same build quality, it’s just down to what ever you feel is the best option for you.

[Stuart Taylor]

Hi All

Just thought I needed to correct or clarify a couple of misconceptions regarding the RollsRoller.

Regarding size the RR is available in 3 versions , Premium, Basic and Traffic – Premium which has 6 standard sizes ranging from 4m to 10.8m length and 3 standard widths ranging from 1.5m to 2.2m. The Basic model has 5 standard models ranging from 2.8m to 4m in length and widths from 1.45m to 1.7m and a specialist Traffic model available with a channeled top with again a number of different size variants. It can also be manufactured at almost ANY custom size within reason.

Premium and Basic models are all supplied Glass top as standard (which is imperative if you want flatness) with a transparent self healing cutting mat as protection. As standard all glass is in one piece which guarantees a flat surface, however it is actually available as a no cost option to have the glass supplied in multiple pieces if required …. as yet in over 300 units we have supplied in the UK all have been requested with single piece glass. Regarding risk of breakage (a) the transparent cutting mat protects the glass surface from day to day operation and as stated we have installed over 300 units in the last 7 years and only 4 units have ever had the glass broken (at least two instances were down to the operator using the glass bed to put eyelits into the banner with a hammer !! 😮 ….. In all these cases we collected the RR with our own transport, remove the broken glass and replace with new glass, in most cases we actually turn this around in 1 working day plus travel time.

Finally regarding the "bridge" on the RR beam – This is actually there to give stability to the Roller as it is imperative with any laminator that the roller runs parallel, if you have any twist on a roller you will have two major issues – material running off square and potential wrinkling/creasing of the film ….. due to the construction and bridge on the RR this is not an issue.

Hope this clarifies some of the points raised here – If anyone needs any more answers just ask.

Stuart