Peter Kettle, 3D and engraving product manager, said: “With the MPX-80, anyone can quickly start a business or introduce a new product line by turning ordinary gifts and accessories into valuable and cherished mementos for their customers.”

He added: “The market for personalised gift items continues to grow, making the MPX-80 a great profit centre. The MPX-80 is easy to use and features everything needed to imprint names, initials, messages, photos and illustrations on a wide range of popular gift items.”

Metaza MPX-80 features:

• Imprints any text, photos and graphics using one device
• Imprints a wide range of materials including platinum, gold, silver, copper, stainless steel, aluminum, acrylic and many more
• Supports a wide selection of readily available stock items
• As easy to use and maintain as a desktop printer, with no special training or engraving skills required
• Includes centre vise which securely holds items of various shapes in place
• Feature-rich Roland METAZAStudio design software included
• Expanded work table supports items as large as 100mm long x 100mm wide x 40mm thick
• Quiet operation and compact size make it ideal for retailers
• High-speed production – in tests conducted by Roland, the MPX-80 imprinted 2mm text 30% faster than a conventional engraver

The METAZAStudio design software accepts artwork, designs and photos from a variety of sources including digital cameras, mobile phones, jpg or bmp files, and common design files such as Adobe ai and eps. It supports a wide variety of TrueType fonts and allows users to wrap text around an arched line or the contours of a design. The software also generates both single-stroke and fill fonts and is compatible with Windows 2000/XP and Windows Vista (32bit).

Roland DG (UK) has also launched the new EGX-350 desktop engraver – a compact, professional engraving system, which it claims will revolutionise the engraving sector. The EGX–350 comes complete with Roland’s new EngraveStudio software, which has an extensive range of features including the innovative ‘V’ engraving 2D system designed to automatically mimic attractive hand carving.

The EGX-350 quickly engraves a wide variety of materials to create indoor and outdoor custom signs, treasured mementos, and personalised gifts, awards, promotional items and apparel. For increased productivity and fast turn around times, Roland says the EGX-350 produces the highest quality engraving 50% faster than its previous model with its new, more powerful spindle motor and an increased spindle speed of 20,000 rpm. To ensure easy operation and quality results, the EGX-350 also includes an automatic surface detector which accurately detects the height of the material (Z-zero) for consistent engraving depths throughout the production process.

“The EGX-350 is easy to use and highly versatile for both traditional engraving and specialty applications,” says Kettle. “It is also equipped with advanced features such as an automatic surface detector, allowing users to quickly and easily produce quality products without complicated setup procedures. With the EGX-350, users can even design templates for heat pressing rhinestones onto apparel items.”

EGX-350 Desktop Engraver features:

• Supports a wide variety of materials including plastics, acrylic, aluminium, stainless steel, brass and wood
• Ideal for indoor and outdoor signs, and personalised gifts, awards, promotional items and apparel
• Automatic surface detector ensures quality results
• Easy navigation control panel provides a clear view of the engraving table

Web: www.rolanddg.co.uk