This is a UV printer that prints on walls. I thought it was some cool tech and I wanted to learn more about one, so I traded one of my many hardly-used lasers for one.
I’ve had experience with wide/large format inkjet printers but none that printed vertically, and not specifically UV, but it looks pretty simple (I’m sure its not ‘that simple’) and familiar so off I go…
This is the overview of the drive systems. This model uses belts, not the rack and pinion that I’ve recently seen on the newer units.
Reported Model Number Discrepancy
According to the seller, (who had factory reps remote in to setup & train him) and all the markings, documentation, etc… it’s a TXC-UV900. But the frame and peripherals are different in a few places. The visual identification suggests that it’s a TXC-WP390.
I’ve dealt with Chinese OEM’s and it could be an early version of the uv900. There is some intermingling of upgrades/updates in the manufacturing process as they have to use up the old stock first and they deplete at different stages, at least to some degree.
Some Initial Testing
i mean who wouldn’t want a haphazardly placed, mostly complete, almost life-size print of Reba’s head on their wall?
I’ve Made Some Progress
The manual says you need Photoshop to add a spot color for white on the CMYK channels. Gimp won’t do it. So I fired up Corel-Photo Paint 2018 and I am able to add spot color channel for white as well as define/import color profiles for the printer.
So I think that’s where I’ll do most of my prep, hopefully using templates and other assets in the editor. Then I can bring it into the RIP or maybe send it directly to the buffer since the color profiles are dialed in. There is an OEM video of adding the white spot color in Photoshop here. My Aim is to replicate that in Corel Photo-Paint.
UPDATE: I did accomplish the exact same thing for the alpha channel in Corel Photo-Paint.
The Wall Printer Has Been Sold
I successfully printed with it, learned to calibrate, purge, maintain, focus, etc… the printer but it had to go so we could reclaim our front room. I decided I didn’t want to start a wall printing business. So I moved it before it sat around and dried up. On to the next one!
