ROQ FEED vs. ROQ FEED +: Key Upgrades for the ROQ IMPRESS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rq_wDZ3S5Os

ROQ Feed Plus Upgrades for the ROQ IMPRESS

When you are running production on the ROQ IMPRESS, small improvements in setup, loading, and transfer handling can make a major difference in daily workflow. In this tech tip, Buck Premo from the ROQ US Tech Team walks through the differences between the ROQ FEED and the upgraded ROQ FEED +, highlighting the features designed to make transfer feeding easier, more flexible, and more efficient.

The ROQ FEED + builds on the original ROQ FEED with several practical upgrades, including a reposition-able manual control panel, updated icons, a larger transfer tray, expanded suction coverage, digital suction shutoff through the control settings, recipe-based memory, and a low-level transfer sensor. Together, these improvements help operators spend less time making manual adjustments and more time keeping production moving.

A More Flexible Manual Control Panel

One of the first changes operators will notice on the ROQ FEED + is the updated manual control panel. Instead of being hard-mounted directly to the feed, the control panel is now installed on a swivel arm. This gives operators more flexibility depending on which direction the customer is running the ROQ IMPRESS.

With the swivel-arm design, the control panel can be positioned on the left or right side of the feed. This makes the system easier to access and helps support different shop layouts, production preferences, and operator workflows. The updated icons on the panel are also designed to be easier to use, giving the interface a cleaner and more intuitive feel.

Feature	ROQ Feed	ROQ Feed Plus
Manual control panel	Hard-mounted to the feed	Mounted on a swivel arm
Operator positioning	Less flexible	Can be positioned left or right
Interface icons	Previous icon layout	Updated, easier-to-use icons
Overall design	Standard layout	Taller, more compact design

Larger Transfer Tray for Longer Production Runs

A major upgrade on the ROQ FEED + is the redesigned transfer tray. The original tray height was approximately three inches, while the ROQ Feed Plus tray has been increased to just under five and a half inches. That extra tray capacity allows operators to load significantly more transfers at one time.

According to the tech tip, this means the ROQ Feed Plus can run close to a full hour’s worth of transfers, compared with roughly half an hour on the previous setup. For busy shops, that extra capacity can reduce interruptions and help keep the transfer printing workflow moving more smoothly.

The upgraded tray also handles smaller transfers more efficiently. ROQ FEED + transfer tray can go down to 2.3 by 2.3 inches, eliminating the need for the separate 3D-printed insert that was previously used for smaller transfer sizes. Operators can now handle small transfers with one tray, which simplifies setup and reduces the number of extra parts needed during production.

Transfer Tray Upgrade	Benefit for Operators
Increased tray height from about 3 inches to just under 5.5 inches	Allows more transfers to be loaded at once
Longer run time between reloads	Helps reduce production interruptions
Supports transfers as small as 2.3 x 2.3 inches	Improves flexibility for small transfer jobs
No separate insert required for small transfers	Simplifies setup and changeovers

Seven Suctions Instead of Five

The ROQ FEED + also increases suction capability. The previous setup used five suctions, while the upgraded Feed Plus uses seven. Two additional suctions have been added outside the center suction area, giving operators more support when handling transfers with challenging dimensions.

This is especially useful when running a transfer that is short but wide. With the extra outside suctions, operators can still get three suction points on the transfer, helping maintain better pickup and placement consistency. For shops working with a variety of transfer sizes, this added suction coverage can improve flexibility and reduce the need for workaround adjustments.

Digital Suction Control Saved in Recipes

Another important upgrade is the removal of the manual shutoff valve for each suction. On the ROQ Feed Plus, suction control is handled through the machine settings. Operators can go into the feed settings and turn individual suctions on or off digitally.

Even better, this suction information is saved under the job recipe. If the transfers are cut to the same size and require the same suction setup, the machine can recall that configuration when the recipe is loaded again. This helps create a more repeatable setup process and supports faster changeovers for recurring jobs.

For production teams, recipe-based suction settings are a valuable improvement because they reduce the need to remember manual settings from job to job. Instead, the correct suction setup can be stored and reused, helping improve consistency across repeat orders.

Low-Level Transfer Sensor Helps Prevent Empty Feeds

The ROQ FEED + also includes a low-level transfer sensor. This sensor detects when the transfer stack is getting low and gives the operator a warning on the main page before the system runs completely out of transfers.

On previous units, operators would typically find out they were out of transfers only after the spider came down and the machine generated an alarm. At that point, the operator would need to stop, reload transfers, and manually load one onto the shirt. With the low-level warning, operators get advance notice and can reload before the tray is empty.

This feature is designed to reduce avoidable downtime and help operators stay ahead of the production flow. By warning the team before transfers run out, the ROQ Feed Plus supports a smoother and more efficient heat press automation process.

Why the ROQ FEED + Matters

The ROQ Feed Plus includes the kinds of improvements operators often wish they had after using a machine in real production environments. The larger tray supports longer runs, the wider suction layout improves transfer handling, the digital suction controls simplify setup, and the low-level sensor gives operators more time to react before production is interrupted.

Just as importantly, the cost difference between the ROQ Feed and the ROQ FEED + is described as not significant in the tech tip. For shops considering an upgrade or evaluating their options for the ROQ IMPRESS, the Feed Plus offers practical improvements without a major jump in complexity.

ROQ Feed Plus Feature	Production Advantage
Swivel-arm manual control panel	Easier access from either side of the feed
Updated icons	More user-friendly operation
Taller, more compact design	Improved layout and usability
Larger transfer tray	Longer run time between reloads
Small-transfer compatibility	Handles transfers down to 2.3 x 2.3 inches without an insert
Seven suction points	Better support for short, wide transfers
Digital suction shutoff	Faster setup and easier adjustments
Recipe-saved suction settings	More repeatable production for recurring jobs
Low-level transfer sensor	Advance warning before transfers run out

Final Thoughts

The ROQ FEED + is a strong upgrade for shops using the ROQ IMPRESS and looking to improve transfer feeding efficiency. By adding more capacity, more suction coverage, smarter controls, and a low-level warning system, the Feed Plus helps operators reduce manual steps and keep production running more consistently.

For print shops focused on improving their DTF transfer feeder workflow, reducing reload interruptions, and creating more repeatable job setups, the ROQ Feed Plus offers meaningful production benefits over the original ROQ Feed.

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To learn more or ask questions, fill out the form below to speak with a ROQ.US Solutions Specialist who can understand more about your business and where the ROQ IMPRESS, ROQ FEED or ROQ FEED + might fit into your workflow.