Hardware - Print Finishing

Zünd is offering a valuable deal for packaging businesses in the form of a part exchange on XY cutters.  Until the end of 2015, Zünd will offer a significant discount on any new Zünd S3 or G3 digital cutting table in return for an existing XY cutter of any model, from any manufacturer.

Zünd's cutting tables are designed to meet the varying needs of packaging producers, built to a modular design that enables unique configurations of size and tools. Retrofitting of tools and other add-ons can also be carried out easily at any time to grow with the user's requirements.

"New Zünd users are always taken aback by how much their turnaround is improved following the installation of a machine," says Peter Giddings, Sales Director, Zünd Plotting Systems (UK) Ltd. "Our trade-up deal is therefore the perfect opportunity for packaging producers and design agencies to increase the speed and efficiency of their work.

"The deal would recuperate a considerable amount of original investment and will go towards getting a market-leading and award-winning Zünd machine."

The deal will run until 31st December 2015. Businesses interested in the deal – or those looking to make the addition of a cutting table to their workroom – can see Zünd's range at its recently renovated demonstration suite in St Albans. To book a visit, or for more information, please email sales@zund.co.uk or call +44 (0)1727 833003.

[Photo caption: Zünd G3 and S3 digital cutting tables will be part of the trade-up deal until the end of the year]

With the new Zünd router module RM-S, the S3 line of high-performance cutting systems becomes even more versatile and cost-effective. The RM-S is capable of processing materials such as aluminum, rigid plastics, composites or wood and delivering outstanding quality.

The new RM-S router module further underscores the Swiss cutting system manufacturer's ability to offer its customers tool options that provide maximum flexibility in processing methods and material choices.

The RM-S is an innovative, high-powered alternative to the proven Universal Routing Tool – URT. The outstanding performance characteristics of the RM-S stem from the use of a 1kW high-performance spindle, active air cooling, and an efficient dust-extraction system. With intelligent surface compensation, this routing option delivers exceptional precision in applications such as engraving acrylics, Dibond, and other challenging materials. The tool easily and effectively compensates for any variances in material thickness and produces top-quality results at precisely set cutting depths.

The RM-S processes a wide range of materials, including wood, plastic, composites, or aluminum at the highest quality levels and at thicknesses up to 25 mm / 1 in. The tool operating at high RPM in conjunction with the robust build of the S3 line of cutters allows for exceptionally high processing speeds, which results in significantly greater through-put.

Bickenhill, Birmingham-based packaging specialist Jaffa Box is predicting its new Zünd G3 L-3200 digital cutting table will dramatically increase the speed of its sample-making processes following its installation in August.

Established in the 1970s, family-run Jaffa Box specialises in the manufacture of cardboard boxes, both plain and printed, and records an annual turnover of nearly £10m. Replacing hand-cutting processes with a sample table around 20 years ago accelerated the production of new designs, but this year Jaffa Box decided it was time to upgrade.

"That table made a big difference at the time and has served us well," says John Amyes, Managing Director, Jaffa Box. "But now our designers are producing samples all day long, so we started looking for a new, digital cutting table to meet demand."

John Amyes explains that he looked at equipment from a number of brands and asked for the opinions of other businesses in the packaging sector – including Zünd customer Sheard Packaging who purchased a Zünd G3 L-2500 digital cutting system for sample-making last autumn.

"The Zünd table was simply better than any of the ones I looked at," he says. "I was particularly impressed by the vacuum table, which has the bonus of being integrated, and the superior build quality in general. I also thought the software was brilliant. It just ticked all the boxes.

"Zünd has a very good name for service and reliability in the industry. I spoke to Sheard Packaging about their new Zünd and they were over the moon with it, so I'm certainly looking forward to having ours installed."

John Amyes saw the Zünd G3 in action at Zünd's recently renovated demonstration centre in St Albans – which he describes as 'very impressive' in itself. In fact, his visit coincided with the installation of the G3 in the facility so was also able to see the inner workings of the machine.

"New customers coming along and existing customers are always ordering new work, so we'll be using the Zünd a lot," adds John Amyes. "It will definitely speed up the sample making process – there's just no comparison between the Zünd and our existing table."

Nick Reed, Product Manager at Zünd Plotting Systems (UK) Ltd, comments: "The Zünd G3 L-3200 is designed to boost productivity so will make a tremendous difference to the speed of Jaffa Box's sample making processes. Its integrated variable vacuum system keeps both cost and energy consumption to a minimum and, like all Zünd cutting systems, it has a modular construction to allow it to grow and change with the user. It's also been developed to optimise automation and ease of use, making the transition from an older machine very simple."

For further information or book a visit to Zünd UK's demonstration suite, please email sales@zund.co.uk or call + 44 (0)1727 833003.

Mansfield-based Classic Print has been in business since 1984 and in that time they have seen many innovations and developments, especially in the materials that are available to the wide format printer.
The most recent development came when Vivid’s product manager Lewis Evans approached Pete to try the new Boss range of Printable Media, and with Pete already using Boss laminates, he was happy to do so.

Pete first dealt with Vivid in 2007, buying the award-winning Easymount laminator, “It’s run constantly to this day with never a single issue” said Pete.

Pete has found the results of the vinyl impressive and moved over to using the Boss range, benefiting from their great prices “The printing and mounting qualities are excellent” continued Pete “It lies flat and print quality is perfect."

The range is available in various widths and finishes; gloss, clear and matt. With permanent and removable adhesive, Vivid’s newest product is their Boss ‘Smooth Remove’ which has air release technology making the vinyl extremely easy to work with when applying.

“This new vinyl is really versatile” continued Pete. “The profiles that Vivid offer for the vinyl are an industry standard for this type of media and the laminate that matches the vinyl is excellent. We print straight on to the vinyl with the Roland or HP and then laminate using the Easymount. The Easymount is a superior system in my opinion. It’s a heavy duty piece of kit and runs true & square every time. You have full control on whatever you are laminating and mounting.”

Vivid’s Lewis Evans said “We were given the guided tour by Big Pete and they have a fantastic set-up. Their custom-built showroom has a great range of products to view and it really gives their customers a hands-on experience of all the different prints they provide. We were really impressed with their engraved products, the finish is superb.”

Classic Print has also recently purchased a 5m wide Trimfast Board Cutter from Vivid. “We have a 3.6m wide cutter, but we are doing so many larger prints we knew we needed a 5m cutter. The Trimfast will be a huge help to us, as anything over 3.6m is currently being cut by hand and when we are completing large orders for trade and retail customers, accuracy and speed are important.”

Complete CNC Solution attended this years’s Sign and Digital exhibition in Birmingham where the company gave its Protek Unico TT production router and print-finishing cutter its public debut.

Visitors to the Complete CNC Solutions stand got to see a demonstration piece created which illustrated the extraordinarily high quality the Protek Unico TT produces straight off the bed without manual intervention or finishing. The sample piece was produced using Perspex Glass-Look 6T21 contributed by Perspex Distribution and comprised engraved lettering, profile cutting, bevelling and finishing cuts all produced in a single, hands-off workflow on the Unico TT.

The finished samples were variously compared to, and confused with, laser-cut and flame polished output - they were of course neither - the Unico TT is a router, but clearly not like any other.

The demand for the sample ran Complete CNC Solutions’ supply at the show to the point of exhaustion but, it’s available still for examination and will be sent, free of charge, to anyone who enquires at info@completecnc.co.uk 

The Unico TT was also demonstrated performing its advanced print finishing capability and output samples cut to tight register tolerances using a combination of knife cutting and router-slotting were produced. Parts were automatically registered using the system’s Visiotek registration system and, again, the quality of edge finishing attracted nothing but praise for the system. Samples again ran to the point of exhaustion at the show but will be sent of those interested in seeing the Perspex output and its quality.

Throughout the exhibition, the Unico TT performed flawlessly and impressed all who saw it with its speed, quality and with its clean operation. The system helps bridge the gap between lightweight dieless finishing systems and traditional computerised routers which lack the accuracy and versatility to do what the Unico TT does effortlessly.

For further information on the Unico TT and sample output, contact info@completecnc.co.uk or phone 01934 742186.

Paradigm Imaging Group has announced the newest addition to the SID Signs line of signage equipment, the innovative XL 1390 Laser Engraver.

The new XL 1390 Laser Engraver is a perfect addition to expand services and enhance production. Personalisation and customisation of products is in high demand. Adding a laser engraving service to your current operation is an excellent way to reach possible new customers as well as offer a valued service to your current client base. The production of engraved POP displays, award plaques, architectural signage and promotional items are a few examples of how the new SID XL 1390 Laser Engraver can help expand your business.

With a working area of 51 x 35 inches (1,300 x 900 mm), it brings a new dimension to flatbed lasers and allows it to handle the most common standard material sizes, saving the user time and money on pre-cutting materials and increasing efficiency due to the large working area. When developing this laser engraver, the SID Signs team had a special eye on usability, economics and flexibility. The proven and successful SID characteristics reach a new level with the XL 1390.

The U.S. manufactured sensors and precision laser cutting head ensure the precise engraving of the finest details, such as circles only 2mm in diametre. The laser tube and power source undergo rigorous 5 step testing to guarantee optimal beam quality and power reliability.

Key features include:

•    Cutting Area 51" x 35" (1,300 x 900 mm)
•    100W Laser Tube Power
•    Cutting Speed Up to 16"/s (400 mm/s)
•    Engraving Speed Up to 23"/s (600 mm/s)
•    1 Year Limited Warranty
•    Retail Cost: US$15,900

Additional applications encompass fabric cutting, shoe-making, furniture, packaging, molding and monument engraving. By producing acrylic, MDF, plywood, rubber and even cardboard jobs, the SID XL will attract new customers and bolster your bottom line.

Said Randy Geesman, president of Paradigm Imaging Group: “The build quality is excellent on the SID XL 1390 and with the outstanding pricing and performance the XL 1390 is sure to be a top seller.”

For more information, please visit www.paradigmimaging.com.