Hardware - Print Finishing

Exhibiting at Sign & Digital UK for the fourth successive year, Friedheim will be demonstrating - for first time at a UK event - the Lasercomb ProDigi NEO 2517 large format multi-functional digital cutting system. This model is part of a range of larger format machines specifically developed by Lasercomb for the high demands of the signage, packaging and display industries.

On the ProDigi NEO a new front end PC featuring a colour touch screen allows the operator to choose between automatic or manual modes, as well as accessing the tool database. The PC also provides operational diagnosis.

A modular tool concept is a key feature of the ProDigi NEO multi-functional digital cutting system, and the machine being demonstrated on the stand will incorporate a 1 kW milling spindle with tooling for handling several different types of materials, as well as an oscillating cutting unit.

John Harrison, Friedheim International’s Sales Manager for Converting products, says: “We are very pleased to be supporting the Sign & Digital event again this year as it is the perfect environment in which to show visitors to our stand what a versatile and highly cost-effective solution the Lasercomb ProDigi NEO digital cutting system can be for their business activities.”

Along with details of the rest of the Lasercomb range of system solutions, Friedheim will also be able to provide information on a wide variety of alternative practical, efficient and cost-beneficial finishing processes and solutions from the other companies within its Converting Division – KAMA (die-cutters and folder gluers), Kohmann (window patchers, Pick & Place, PrintChecker and SpeedPlacer), VEGA Group (folder gluers) and Stock (wide format board mounting & laminating) – as well as from its other Divisions covering commercial print, digital print, binding and packaging.

Zünd UK will be exhibiting at Packaging Innovations (February 25th and 26th 2015) with an emphasis on user-friendly automation.

Taking place at Birmingham's NEC, Packaging Innovations 2015 will feature dedicated Ecopack and Contract Pack areas and will be co-located with Empack and Label&Print, bringing together over 350 exhibitors from throughout the packaging industry.

Zünd UK will return to the show with a range of Swiss-engineered digital cutting equipment, designed for efficiency and flexibility; each modular cutting machine is built based on the needs of each unique customer and can evolve as requirements change.

Automation will be the watchword for Zünd UK's stand for Packaging Innovations this year. On display will be a Zünd S3 M-800 (1330mm x 800mm) digital cutter with an automatic sheet feeder, enabling automated loading and unloading of sheet materials directly onto the bed of the machine. A camera system makes print-to-cut registration of printed boards easy, compensating for position and rotation. Using a QR code printed on each sheet, the Zünd Cut Centre software automatically opens the correct job once it has been loaded onto the machine, providing unattended production.

"Packaging Innovations is a great place to see new packaging ideas, designs and applications – and how Zünd equipment can be used to achieve them faster and more efficiently," says Peter Giddings, Sales Director, Zünd Plotting Systems (UK) Ltd.

"The Zünd S3 M-800 is designed with ease of use in mind, with automation built in across the board, making it ideal for design houses specialising in packaging prototypes. We're looking forward to discussing how it could be used for a range of designs with visitors to our stand."

Experts from Zünd UK will be available to demonstrate the S3 M-800 with packaging applications and to advise on the full range of Zünd cutting equipment, used in a variety of industries including packaging, sign and display, aerospace, automotive and specialist composites.

For further information or to book a meeting at Packaging Innovations 2015, please email sales@zund.co.uk or call 01727 833003.

Parkar Communications Private Limited is a one-stop shop for on-the-ground marketing communication in Mumbai. Design, product development, offset and digital print, signage, POP, events, and corporate film production – from concept to execution on the ground, Parkar's signage and POP solutions for brands such as P&G, Gillette, Cadbury, Onida and Mahanagar Gas are visible throughout Mumbai's stores and malls around the country. Six months ago, the company installed an Esko Kongsberg XN cutting and creasing table with Esko's ArtiosCAD 3D and i-cut Suite software at its Andheri East plant.

Till the company installed the Kongsberg XN, PCPL was totally dependent on manual labour for executing its signage and POP projects, engaging almost a dozen people in the department. That count is now down to just one. "It was all manual cutting and involved quite a bit of labour management. Also, the cost of blades and cutters were a big expense and we could not get the desired quality. That led us to Esko," says Mahesh Parkar, Managing Director of PCPL.

Parkar adds that previously, manually cutting a 8-foot by 4-foot sheet took close to 45 minutes. With the Esko Kongsberg XN, that time is down to only 6 to 8 minutes. "The Kongsberg XN cutting table not only helps us save on labour, but it also allows us to reduce the material costs; which is in fact a huge saving," states Parker.

Confidence, Excellence, Productivity, Growth
Apart from cost savings, the Kongsberg table provided the company the necessary confidence to take on all kinds of jobs. Earlier PCPL would cut only certain types of materials and outsource the rest. This has now changed. "We are now cutting materials which we were outsourcing to a third party. Earlier we were not sure if we could do justice to clients where certain materials were involved. We would either not take that work, or we were compelled to outsource it. After installing the Kongsberg XN our reliance on third parties is over and our commitment levels have increased," Parkar says.

Esko's ArtiosCAD allows PCPL to create its POP designs from scratch in 3D and send them directly to the cutting table, while i-cut's preflight checks the PDF files coming in and makes sure the files will RIP and print and cut correctly. The i-cut Suite also saves material and optimises production by determining the most accurate and efficient cutting path. Parkar says it was very easy to train his staff to use ArtiosCAD 3D and i-cut Suite effectively. "We had an impression that extensive training would be needed to operate the Esko software. On the contrary, it turned out to be very easy software to handle. Yes, it would take some time to become an expert but one can be trained for basic operations in a very short time. The proof is that one of our staff who was part of our labour department is currently operating the system," Parkar states.

Shrihari Rao, who leads Esko's sales team in India, says that he was really impressed that Mr. Parkar's decision was based purely on versatility and throughput – 'On how quickly can I offer accurately finished products to a variety of demands and opportunities in the market': "Whether it's short or long jobs, or prototypes — the Kongsberg tables offer quick throughput because they require very little setup time. There are equipment manufacturers who claim they can produce hundreds of pieces an hour, but take hours to set up and that is inefficient. Absolute market leadership in India with almost 100 installs and local support by factory trained engineers from our Bangalore and Mumbai offices added to the decision making."

Huge boost in business
With significant savings across the board, and a rise in productivity and improved consistency in quality, PCPL has seen a major boost in its signage and POP business. "In the last six months our business in POP and signage segment has seen a growth of close to 50%. This is because of the rise in our capacity and our confidence in taking on a variety of work. However, this is just a start and we still have sufficient capacity in the signage segment to see a further growth of another 50%," concludes Parkar.

New print finishing equipment company Mounter’s Mate will showcase its range of services and two new products at Sign & Digital UK 2015.

Mounter’s Mate specialises in graphics making equipment which removes the ‘bottle necks’ in the traditional methods of making signs & graphics. Their products include flatbed applicators, wide format laminators, anti-static air guns and clear cutting mats.

“Mounter’s Mate provides an easy way for your average sign company to produce large, high quality, prints at an affordable cost, fast!” says Mounter’s Mate General Manager, Omar Benmez.

Mounter’s Mate comes from a strong background of 25 years producing wide format graphics and is a trading name of DMI Vision Ltd. The company is based in Marlow, UK and supplies the Mounter’s Mate range across Europe.

Mounter’s Mate will demonstrate their products and services at the Sign and Digital trade show from March 24th-26th 2015.

“We’re excited to share with new customers the capabilities and the products they need to produce top quality prints”, says Omar.

Mounter’s Mate will feature the 1600hs Laminator at the upcoming trade show. This laminator applies even pressure throughout the laminating process using a pneumatic air system, with speeds of up to seven meters per minute.

Unlike other laminators, the user doesn’t require a large amount of space. Due to the roll feed & take up reels, prints can easily be laminated with this complete roll-to-roll system.

The second product that will be featured is the Workstation 315, a free-standing machine that is easy to use and designed to allow a single user to apply large vinyl prints to virtually any substrate. The machine delivers high quality, fast and accurate, dry application for graphics. You can see the workstation’s performance in action by visiting www.mountersmate.co.uk/videos.

For more information about Mounter’s Mate and their products, visit the website at www.mountersmate.co.uk 

Summa Cutter Control 5.0 is out

The  Summa Cutter Control software programme has been revamped with a new 'stylish and user friendly' design.

The programme has been a pioneer in controlling all parameters from the cutter via the computer and is a valuable tool for the operator, as well as for technicians. With the integration of the new Summa Camera Control System in Cutter Control the S Class 2 CAM units can now read Summa postnet barcodes, making automated workflow possible.

While in the past OPOS CAM was mainly promoted for sheet application, today it is a full alternative for OPOS X on every contour job, making it the fastest system in its class.

The new version of Summa Cutter Control is based on the style of Axis Control, which is delivered with Summa's FSeries tables. New features have been added, such as the ability to automatically scan the network for Summa devices. The fileserver has also been integrated with the barcode server and the new barcode server can manage up to 8 cutters at once.

New: Roll-Up System for the F1612 flatbed

In order to optimise the use of the F1612 cutter, Summa engineers have developed a functional roll-up system, ideal to roll up any kind of flexible roll material. Complete rolls with a width up to 165cm and a weight up to 50kg of printed contour cut material can be left onto the roll easily, facilitating the handling of material.

The roll-up system can be purchased at the time of the cutter or afterwards to upgrade the flatbed at any time. Although installation of the roll-up is easy, it is required to have it installed through an authorised Summa technician.

With more than 30 years of experience building cutting plotters, Summa delivers highly reliable and accurate products for the sign making, labelling, vehicle wrap, aerospace and outdoor advertising industries. One of the key features of all Summa products is their unmatched durability. Summa's product range includes the remarkably productive S Class 2 and SummaCut cutting plotters, the DC5 thermal transfer printer/cutter and the new Summa F Series cutting table.

All Summa cutters come bundled with a wide range of accessories, consumables and software options for both Mac and PC systems. Summa's European headquarter in Gistel, Belgium, can be reached by calling +32 59 270011 or via the Web at www.summa.eu 

Gould Engineering says it plans to diversify into new markets as well as to accelerate production of Formula 1 racing cars following the installation of a Zünd S3 M-1200 digital cutter.

Initiated as an extension of a racing car hobby started in 1970, Gould Engineering was founded in 1992 as a specialist in speed hillclimb cars before reaching the pinnacle of motorsport, F1. From its Berkshire HQ, Gould Engineering manufactures components for top F1 teams using pre-preg carbon fibre.

After several years of using the same cutting machine, Gould Engineering decided to upgrade to a faster, more efficient model with a smaller footprint and rolling bed. After researching the cutting systems available, the Gould team attended the Composites Engineering Show in November 2014 to see its preferred candidate – the Zünd S3 M-1200 – in the flesh.

"We go to the Composites Engineering Show every year for the racing car technology," explains Sean Gould, Owner, Gould Engineering. "We had looked at a lot of different manufacturers beforehand but Zünd UK showed the best quality on the market so we made sure of visiting its stand at the show."

Following the event at Birmingham's NEC, Gould Engineering representatives visited Zünd UK's demonstration suite in St Albans for a more hands-on view and to discuss the company's needs; each Zünd modular digital cutting machine is tailor-made for each customer, installed with the necessary high-quality tools and the ability to be reconfigured as requirements change.

The S3 M-1200 will be installed at Gould Engineering in February with Zünd's camera digitising system Capturez, plus the Autonest high-performance nesting software.

"The rolling bed and nesting equipment will make production much faster and easier than with our current machine," says Sean Gould. "The S3 is more versatile and very simple to use so you don't need heavily trained staff to operate it. Using the Capturez equipment, templates can be turned into moulded products quickly and easily."

Zünd UK's modular cutting machinery is used throughout a range of industries including aerospace, textiles and specialist items – markets Gould Engineering is now interested in exploring.

"We've always been successful at the Composites Engineering Show with sales made at each appearance," comments Nick Reed, Product Manager, Zünd Plotting Systems (UK) Ltd. "Gould Engineering is already at the top of its game so it's exciting to see how it will develop further within F1 motor racing and beyond – the company's expertise paired with the versatility of the Zünd S3 will make for some really interesting design and manufacture projects."

Zünd UK will be exhibiting at the Composites Engineering Show in 2015, while its demo centre in St Albans has been recently renovated and is now available for visits. Machine suppliers are invited to host open days demonstrating how Zünd technology can be complementary in a range of sectors' workflows. For further information or to book a meeting at the demo suite, please email sales@zund.co.uk or call 01727 833003.