Roland DG Australia was proud to recently donate a state-of-the-art SOLJET PRO4 XR-640 Printer Cutter to the Signage Department at TAFE Illawarra. As explained in a news feature that aired on WIN News Illawarra, the new XR-640 represents the latest in print and cut technology and was given to the TAFE to use in conjunction with Roland DG’s donation 5 years ago of a VS-640 Printer Cutter. Gino Farina, Sales and Marketing Director at Roland DG, commented: “This is our latest technology… we wanted to work with the TAFE to provide them a second machine [and] more access to their students and obviously more opportunity to have that hands-on 
experience with the printers.”
The XR-640 uses the latest generation environmentally-friendly ECO-SOL MAX 2 inks and is larger and faster with greater quality output, precision and performance. The machine prints to a wide variety of materials such as vinyls, banners and textiles – producing a range of items from POP displays and soft signage to vehicle graphics.
TAFE Wollongong graduate Anthony Jones, who finished a Certificate 3 in Signage one year ago, started his own business making private and commercial murals using the older machine, which he found to be “fantastic”. He believes that the new machine will add great value. “It makes sense… when [students] do jump out into the field, they are going to be able to work with the current technology.”
Not only have Roland DG provided equipment, but they are working closely with the TAFE to add value to the curriculum in the form of additional course content on the manufacturer and business side of the industry. This competency based training is helping to educate the students so that the next generation of signage professionals graduate with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the ever-evolving signage industry. Head Teacher of the TAFE’s Signage Department, Ian Squire, agrees that “the industry is so fast moving and revolving” and for students to learn using industry standard equipment along with the right training, is so important.
Delivery of the XR-640 has been very timely as it gives TAFE staff a chance to receive training before the updated signage course commences in 2016.
Roland DG Australia
www.rolanddg.com.au/colour/printer-cutters
