What is a UV Flatbed printer? A Quick Look at the Roland LEF-12i

Roland did not sponsor this video, but they did loan us this unit to film. I'll be sad to see it go though, it was pretty impressive!

[MAKE]

Can you imagine one of these at your makerspace? What would you use it for?

[Dstonephoto]

As someone who just found out that these things exist it’s disappointing to find out there are so few videos that actually cover wtf it is these things do and what they’re all about. Is this video as good as it gets ?

[MikeCheung]

We have an LEF 300. Keep in mind ink is ~$100/ cartridge and the printer requires constant cleaning by jetting ink into a wast bin (which it automatically does) to keep the head viable. Plan for $700 in replacement every few months whether you print or not.

[thebittenmac]

I always appreciated Roland for their products like plotters and embroidery plotters I saw back in the 80s 👍

[facthwolf]

I thought Roland made electronic instruments and related equipment. Nothing like this. That is AWESOME!!

[GeekBuildersNet]

You get to test out the coolest stuff. This is awesome.

[fatedpretend]

awesome video - especially appreciate you talking about the software and printing on uneven surfaces. Thanks

[BetaOp]

Awesome video. Would have loved more samples and video of it printing this was an excellent overview.

[hannahmiller]

Thank you for making this video! It was so helpful and full of the information I've been looking for

[IVAN_ENT]

thought you were wearing a bathrobe if you had more grey hair you would be the dude haha

[koloasurf]

Hi, what you don't mentioned is that the user need to know how to use Photoshop and and illustrator or Corel draw to use this machine. Making the a print is slow and the actual print is very slow. I have one and it took a while to get it setup correctly and still difficult to use.

[BaconbuttywithCheese]

Need a business model to afford just the operating cost, never mind the initial or ongoing outlay.

[aliseyar]

Appreciate for this video but the price was too high, can you recommend another one which is affordable and i'll use it on phone case.

[ChrisPrefect]

I still don't know how a UV Flatbed printer works. Is it like an inkjet printer just with more splash-range? And where comes the UV part into play?

[RTCDigitalS]

If it can print texture do you think it can be used to make embossing folders ?

[arnaldofernandez]

I was waiting for a few seconds of the printer doing its job, to hear the sound, etc.

[nickhu]

I heard UV printers are meant to be used regularly, so the printheads do not get clogged. For an occasional user (as I would be) it would be an expensive nightmare replacing the very expensive printheads after each printing pause lasting more than 24-48 hours or so... Is it really so?

[volkhen]

There are also bigger models LEF2-200 and 300.

[fruechtekorb]

@make: Did you guys try to use it as a resist printer for etching?

[brunosmith]

... So where do we see you actually using it?