Business - Applications

Inca Digital has launched a customer support service for its Inca Digital flatbed UV inkjet printers. Branded Inca Vision, the service enables Inca to remotely and regularly monitor and diagnose a machine, and in many cases, catch issues before the customers decide to call for engineer service.

“The last thing any company wants is machine downtime. Inca Vision is able to detect possible failures before they happen, offering customers the opportunity to proactively service their machines and, in many cases, avoid costly delays,” says John Mills, Inca Digital CEO.

By gathering data from machines globally on a daily basis, Inca engineers can conduct remote diagnostics to determine how well the printers are performing and whether there is need for intervention with engineering support. Dashboards used by the Inca Digital Support Team offer a view of high-level data across all machines throughout the world. A RAG (Red, Amber, Green) screen allows the Inca Support Team to prioritise printers most urgently in need of attention and the team can also assist distributors and provide back-up data for any serious machine issues in their regions.

Data can be interrogated at a detailed level per machine to help determine causes for any failures. For example, a faulty UV shutter message or high temperature alarm compared with area printed or ink consumption - generally, machine usage - can help detect if a component is failing. Customer scans on iNozzle mapping allow Inca to monitor the condition of printheads to help the customer maintain quality and to offer suggestions for maintenance procedures. Also, the gathering of data on the use of vacuum zones can help to determine most commonly used sheet sizes.

While most printer activity is downloaded on a daily basis, the data - such as machine alarms and machine status changes - can be interrogated in minute intervals. In addition, the First Line support team can work with the customer to ‘log-in’ to the live data for more detailed analysis. Recent Inca Onsets are built with greater access to machine data, but even older models such as Inca Spyders offer access to sufficient data.

For customers, this means that their Inca printers can be monitored on a daily basis for any signs of future problems. Their support team can offer suggestions to help them maintain their machines in good running condition, based upon their own patterns of use, preventing downtime. If a printer needs onsite repair, data collected by Inca Vision can assist with a quick diagnosis and repair as well as parts requirements.

“On average 60 per cent of the cases opened by our Customer Support Team are resolved remotely. With the launch of Inca Vision we are aiming to increase the overall number of machine uptime as well as the number of cases solved remotely.” says Mark Noble, Senior Customer Service Manager at Inca.

Inca customers have access to similar, but much more specific data through ReporterPro, a software service launched by Inca in January 2013. Unlike Inca Vision, ReporterPro allows customers to see the files, customer names and job specifics that are unique and confidential to their business.

ReporterPro provides an accurate picture of overall efficiency, allowing managers to fine tune production schedules and generate a variety of internal management reports. It is designed to allow the customers’ management team to gather more information about machine utilisation, productivity and job costing.

While the Customer Support team will use individual machine data to diagnose machines remotely and predict problems before they arise, other departments within Inca will also benefit from the composite data. For example, the R&D team can run reports on failure modes or review a sequence of events prior to a component failure. Results can assist with future machine development - in addition to determining service frequency/failure periods on key components. The marketing team may use machine data compiled from many machines to spot usage trends or plan future product features.

Inca Vision is currently in service in the UK and other regions directly supported by the Inca  support team. It will be rolled out to the US during Q1 2014. Inca Vision will be built into higher-level service contracts as part of the complete support package. It will not be actively offered to customers without a support contract.

Oasis Graphic Co. rose to meet tough logistics and tactical challenges at World Travel Market, November 4th to 7th, at London ExCeL, carrying out careful on-site alterations, and printing items overnight, in order to simultaneously complete graphics installations for four clients and seven high-end exhibition stands including "Visit California" and "Abu Dhabi".

With only two days to install a number of tricky items, including two 18 metre banners at 5 metres above ground, and precisely aligned intricate floor graphics on a curved floor, the 11 Oasis technicians had to work quickly and efficiently to complete the job before the exhibition opened.

Final approval on some of the items did not arrive until the afternoon before WTM opened its doors, so Oasis needed to prepare and print several graphics overnight.

Contingencies arise at all live events, and World Travel Market was no exception. Oasis was called upon to execute several late changes, and were able to modify existing vinyl cut graphics to requirements on site, and even move several graphic items following changes to stand layouts.

A representative from Fisher Productions, one of Oasis' clients at the exhibition said, "Matt Gemmill has been a pillar of support to us for the last two years. We were very disappointed when he left his former post at another company, and we only recently learnt that he had moved to Oasis. Since re-establishing our business with Matt he, and Oasis, have met deadlines that all others would have found impossible, whilst maintaining his trademark laconic and cheerful demeanour. Oasis have great reliability, reasonable prices, and have high quality finishes in all that they supply. This, coupled with Matt's expertise and impeccable attention to detail, makes our lives much easier. We thrive on short deadlines and high pressure, and so far Oasis have been the only guys who can stand up to the test. Matt has said himself that he 'likes to think that he understands the DNA of Fisher, and that our reputation and standards are high'. So far Matt and Oasis have not just been the only ones to meet our needs, but they do it with dynamic synergy and stalwart professionalism time and time again."

Matt Gemmill, account manager was very satisfied with his team's performance, "World Travel Market is a visually dazzling show, and we've created and installed stunning designs this year and in the past. But this year our crew showed immense skill and dedication in their response to some very testing challenges, and our clients are very happy with the results".

Flags made on the south coast took centre stage at the world's third largest international multi-sport event.  An extensive selection of Hampshire Flag Company's products were flown at the 2013 World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) which took place in Belfast.

This biennial sporting event for serving and retired police, fire, prison and border security officers featured more than 60 large national flags along with 1 yard flags from every competing nation stitched together by WPFG to create one giant flag, all of which were supplied by Waterlooville-based Hampshire Flag Company.  The WPFG is the largest ever sporting event to take place in Northern Ireland with 56 sports held at 41 venues across Northern Ireland with almost 7,000 competitors from 67 countries taking part.

Hampshire Flag supplied national flags from Argentina and Estonia to Monaco and Venezuela, all of which were used in the opening ceremony and carried by volunteers.  Graham Wilkinson, Hampshire Flag's Managing Director, said, “We're delighted that our flags have played their part in this year's World Police and Fire Games, which is an incredible event not just for the local community but for the serving and retired members of the emergency services from around the world who took part.  It's great that sport is in the spotlight once again and fantastic that our flags were used at key and high profile times during the Games."

The University of Lincoln’s city centre campus is being rebranded with the institution’s new logo, with help from Lincolnshire based signage and vehicle livery specialist Allen Signs.  The university rebranded in 2012 and, following a competitive tendering process, appointed Allen Signs to replace the old signage.

Allen Signs' account manager, Glen Merryweather, worked closely with the Marketing and Estates departments at the University to develop the signs so that they are not only functional but also demonstrate the gravitas of the university’s new branding.

The design and concepts went in for planning at the end of April and so far Allen Signs has installed a 3m x 3m sign on the main administrative building, an illuminated monolith at the entrance to the main car park and a way-finding signage system to help students, staff and visitors easily navigate their way around the Brayford Pool Campus.

The firm has also printed the graphics for hoardings which currently surround the construction work underway at the university’s GCW Library and in the Main Administration Building, and large banner displays which were used to welcome guests to Lincoln Castle during the recent graduation ceremonies.
Having installed one sign on the west elevation of the Main Administration Building, Allen Signs is now finalising the planning for the production and installation of five other signs which will be positioned at the campus’ main entrance points.

Glen explains, “Part of the brief was to raise the visual profile of the University in Lincoln and to highlight key sites around the campus by installing signs at strategic locations.  We are honoured to be working with the university on such a major project, building on our experience within the education sector. We are looking forward to continuing working with the university to improve its visibility and reflect the on-going developments and improvements across the campus.”

i-Sub Digital has reported two successful Open Days at the Crewe HQ of Hybrid Services, with representatives of over 30 companies attending on October 16th and 17th.

Guests were treated to up-close-and-personal demonstrations of wide-format printing systems from Mimaki – including the new Mimaki JV400 SUV and i-Sub Digital's innovative Digi-Foil system – with experts supplying all the facts on how these technology investments can boost business.

Digi-Foil is a groundbreaking system for the application of foils without the need for traditional dies and foil presses. Foil is applied only in areas required going down to 4pt text and even to a dot size of 0.3mm. Using a desktop Mimaki UJF UV printer, design houses and printers can produce personalised decorative products or colour-accurate packaging mock-ups in less than ten minutes with minimal waste – a formerly impossible achievement.

The speed of production and accuracy of colour means clients can see a variety of different packaging options at the first stage and potentially sign off mock-ups on the same day, rather than decisions taking weeks or months.

Richard Wildsmith, Operations Director at promotional merchandise specialist SPS, travelled to Crewe from Blackpool specifically to see Digi-Foil at work. As an existing user of the Mimaki UJF-6042, Wildsmith wanted to see how to achieve even greater value from the printer.

"It's dead easy to do," he said after attending the demonstration, adding he was impressed by its potential: "If you can print on it, you can foil it."

The Open Days were also a chance for graphic display businesses to see the new Mimaki JV400-160 SUV wide-format printer. The machine, first unveiled at FESPA 2013, combines the bright, punchy colour and glossy finish of solvent with the abrasion resistance of UV inks.

Through this hybrid approach, businesses can benefit from a wider colour gamut and more substrate options, as the instantly dry print does not need to be laminated and has outdoor durability for three years plus.

"The Open Days with Hybrid Services and Mimaki were a great success, with wide-format print businesses, design houses and packaging producers coming to Crewe from all over the UK," says Andy Spreag, Director, i-Sub Digital.

"Open house events like this provide a one-on-one, dedicated look at the machines available, educating clients to make them fully aware of the technology and its potential applications," he adds. "Many guests took the opportunity to revisit the innovations they'd seen at this year's trade shows, but this time in much more detail."

The Zünd S3 digital cutting table was also put through its paces at the two-day event, alongside the Mimaki JFX500-2131 UV flatbed printer. Demonstrating a raft of print and cut applications, including cutting and creasing polypropylene, routing Foamex, cutting display card and creating packaging products all previously printed on the Mimaki JFX500, allowed visitors to get first-hand experience of the capabilities of both machines working in harmony. With print speeds of up to 60sq/m per hour capable on the Mimaki JFX500 some amazing results were achieved with visitors able to take away the samples produced.

The Open Days with Mimaki UK and Ireland distributor Hybrid Services are part of a series of events planned by i-Sub Digital in addition to trade shows in 2014.

Esko's Kongsberg XP Auto digital cutting table has become the latest Esko solution to be installed at HP’s Demo Centre in Barcelona, Spain. This fully-automated, corrugated cutting machine for POS and short run production of packaging will run alongside HP’s latest portfolio addition, the HP Scitex FB10000 Industrial Press. Together, these solutions demonstrate how customers in the corrugated packaging sector can achieve a seamless, end-to-end workflow that enables them to be efficient, productive and profitable.

“HP and Esko have a long-standing partnership that started nearly ten years ago. Today, Esko products are paired with HP presses in demo centers around the world. Both Esko and HP believe it's vital to show printers how much stronger solutions become when industry leaders join forces," comments Stuart Fox, Business Development Manager at Esko. "By giving them real-time production demonstrations, they can get a better understanding of how to take their jobs from print to finished product. Seeing the whole process lets them experience the impact this investment could have on their business – today and in the future. This type of experience has become a critical part of the buying process, and is made possible because of our relationship HP.”

Agustin Comadran,  EMEA Sign & Display Category Manager, HP Graphics Solutions Business, comments: “The successful relationship between Esko and HP enables us to develop solutions that effectively address today’s market challenges, and gives customers a first hand look at how they can meet those challenges. HP has confidence in Esko’s solutions. Together, we can ensure our customers are as productive and profitable as they can be.”

The HP Scitex FB10000 is a large-format, flatbed inkjet printer that can run at up to 625 m²/hr, or 1,000 B1 sheets in less than two hours. Its speed lets printers improve productivity, while still achieving the quality they need. The Kongsberg XP Auto is a fully automated die-less finishing machine for packaging and point-of-purchase displays.

To fully demonstrate the impact this solution can bring to users, the HP Demo Centre utilises Esko software to support the Kongsberg XP Auto, including Esko Automation Engine, ArtiosCAD, and i-cut Suite. These join other Esko products that have been chosen to support HP’s array of print production solutions.

Among the other solutions on display in HP's Demo Centre, are the Esko Digital Front-End embedded software solutions for HP Indigo Digital Presses. HP Indigo and Esko have a close, successful strategic partnering and pioneering relationship in digital print for labels and packaging. The combination of Esko’s leading workflow tools and the unmatched quality and efficiency of HP Indigo Digital Presses has set a lofty standard for labels and packaging. Designed exclusively for HP Indigo by Esko, the HP SmartStream Labels and Packaging Print Servers provide customers the necessary job management tools to automate and simplify workflow as well as color controls that help deliver repeatable color across multiple prepress and jobs. Advanced capabilities include also bar code generation, step & repeat and variable data capabilities.