Hardware - Print Finishing

F1 Graphics Ltd has just taken delivery of the Tekcel VSR 1540mm x 2540mm CNC routing system, to complement its recent investment in a state of the art, large format flatbed inkjet printer.  A visit to last month’s Sign & Digital UK show at the NEC in Birmingham was enough to secure a deal and the order was placed there and then at the Complete CNC Solutions stand, the exclusive UK and European distributors for the Tekcel CNC routers.

Darren Ware, owner of F1 Graphics Ltd says, “We had researched the CNC Router market long and hard, over many weeks, but no system came near to our requirements than the Tekcel router. Not only for its superior build quality and immense material hold down, but we all felt that having a system with proven ballscrew and digital servo motor drive technology was a must for high performance, accuracy and reliability. We were also very impressed with the set up at Complete CNC Solutions which in turn, filled us with confidence for on-going support, customer service and their wealth of industry knowledge”

 

Knowing how important the drive technology of a router is to the overall accuracy and performance of the system, F1 were impressed to learn that all Tekcel routers feature class leading, ballscrew digital servo drive systems on every axis giving unrivalled accuracy and repeatability every time. The VSR also features a neatly placed multi tool change system that combines a choice of up to 6 tools with a powerful HSD 8Kw spindle motor. Their new system is also fully equipped with the very latest “Cut to print” camera registration technology, print finishing features and all out sign making capabilities, making the Tekcel router the most complete industry all-round cutter on the market.

Based in Derbyshire, F1 Graphics offers a huge range of high quality commercial sign and display products. With many years of experience in design, manufacture and installations the company will utilise these skills already in place, to offer its customers a “Turn Key” solution for premium products and services at extremely competitive prices.  According to Darren Ware, “We see it as our job to provide innovative solutions to these problems and employing advanced production technology like the Tekcel router and the inkjet printer enables us to do just that.” Combined with the high quality solid carbide router tooling, also supplied by Complete CNC Solutions, F1 Graphics can now produce fast, efficient and superior edge finished routed products, straight from the machine, without the need for any additional edge cleaning processes.

Julian Sage, Managing Director of Complete CNC Solutions, adds, “We work hard to provide a comprehensive CNC router solution for all our customers, whatever their individual system requirements may be. The delivery, installation and full commissioning of the Tekcel VSR router was completed in just one day, thanks in part to the excellent preparation of essential services such as power and air requirement installed by F1 Graphics. With their router up and running so quickly, the F1 production team were able to use the subsequent two days of onsite training we provided to maximum effect and by the end of the second training day, were running live jobs. All this said, our customers tell us that Tekcel routers continue to be the most productive CNC router in the sign, print & display industry today.”

 

Solutions that cut costs and boost profitability showcased by Esko at Sign and Digital UK 2014

Investing in numerous hardware systems will enable operators to add more strings to their bow, services to their portfolios and increase turnover.  However, efficiently and cost effectively managing the numerous short run jobs these systems can handle is essential to ensure profitability. This is the essence of Esko’s (www.esko.com) message on its E36 stand at this year’s Sign and Digital 2014 show, taking place April 29 to May 1 at the Birmingham NEC.

“Creating a smooth production workflow is critical if operations are going to maximise their capabilities,” comments Paul Bates, Esko’s Regional Business Manager. “Wasted time, effort and materials all add up. We have a number of software solutions we will be demonstrating, including the re-developed 64-bit application i-cut Layout+ running on both Mac and PC platforms, that help customers create the most efficient flow of jobs from pre- to post press.

“Although adoption of software is still relatively new compared to Esko’s traditional markets, we see a growing interest from the sign and display sector year after year. It's true that not everything can be automated but as we can enable business to automate 90%, we are saving them an awful lot of work,” Mr. Bates continues. "This approach also has a significant impact on staffing. Because the onset of digital systems printers have grown quickly, companies considered the only solution was to put more people in their studios to prepare the files but there is no need to do that.”

Solutions that save time, effort and material

This is the role of Esko's i-cut Suite of pre-production software that automates the entire production process. Other key solutions are Automation Engine to streamline and automate high volume production and WebCenter that delivers end-to-end manufacturing process management, creating a competitive advantage by specifying requirements, managing assets and overseeing the entire design and production process.

These are supported within the Esko Software Suite of future oriented and sustainable solutions which are inspired by trends in the industry, and designed to help companies better meet the challenges of today's dynamic and rapidly changing industry. One example is complete integration with non-graphical systems. “A day to day application could mean a workflow set up for packaging based on the weather forecast. For example if it is hot there might be greater demand for more strawberry containers or salad packaging. This addresses the need for more and more Just-In-Time delivery. This level of integration is something we see becoming increasingly important to the customer base, ” Mr. Bates explains.

For the first time, Esko will have two Kongsberg digital cutting tables on display at Sign & Digital UK.

The company's highly popular Kongsberg XP24, the best-selling Kongsberg system among sign and display companies designed to operate 24/7, will be showcased on Esko's stand E36. In addition, the most versatile Kongsberg XN24 will be presented on stand of UK reseller Graphic Printing Technologies (GPT).

Esko promises visitors to its stand at FESPA Digital 2014 a fast-paced experience full of innovative ideas for business growth. Esko will be located on stand B2-238 at the show, which is being held in Munich, Germany, 20-23 May. “FESPA Digital is always a high-energy show,” says Armand Gougay, Esko Vice President EMEA, “and we will add even more enthusiasm with a racing theme that fits perfectly with our ability to speed up sign and display graphics production – from prepress through finishing. Both cutting machines and software solutions will be on display in our stand, demonstrating the breadth of our offerings and our leadership position in this market. The racing theme also highlights the unique capabilities of our newly launched Kongsberg C Series cutting tables, the fastest digital finishing solution in the market for the widest range of materials.”

Next-generation cutting tables to see European debut

Fespa Kongsberg CAt FESPA Digital 2014, Esko will show the Kongsberg C64 cutting table for the first time in Europe following a successful launch last fall at SGIA in the U.S. This first-of-a-kind super-wide digital finishing system is a brand-new platform whose development is based on decades of engineering experience from Kongsberg, and is designed for 24/7 production and semi-industrial environments. Unique is its ability to handle materials up to 3.2 by 3.2 meters. Due to their robust design and the unique carbon traverse beam, the Kongsberg C Series cutting tables do not decelerate when cutting demanding materials and are capable of working with a broader array of materials than any other super-wide finisher, from paper and textiles to fluted board, plastics, aluminum composites and (unique to the Kongsberg C) corrugated up to triple-wall thickness. “With this next-generation cutting table,” adds Gougay, “our customers will truly be able to improve productivity and decrease time to market with excellent precision at high speeds and extreme fast acceleration. Visitors to our stand at FESPA Digital will see this clearly demonstrated, in a fun way!"

Launch of Kongsberg V Series

Another family of cutting tables that Esko will showcase for the first time in Europe at FESPA Digital is the Kongsberg V-series. These Kongsberg tables have a standard design that delivers true Kongsberg production quality. Available in two configurations, the V-series tables are ideal for sign & display as well as packaging applications. “Initial market testing in Asia generated strong demand for these new tables,” explains Gougay. “We are now scaling up manufacturing to make these models available through all Esko channels.” The two new Kongsberg Series that Esko will showcase at FESPA Digital have broadened the market scope for Esko’s Kongsberg tables to meet the needs of customers who are producing base model packaging applications up to the most demanding super-wide and highly versatile sign & display or industrial applications producer. Esko experts will be on hand during the show to help visitors determine which table best meets their finishing needs.

A complete software solution for prepress and finishing

In addition to market leading digital finishing equipment, Esko also offers highly innovative prepress, workflow and finishing software specifically developed for this industry. Visitors to the Esko FESPA Digital stand will be able to view first-hand the new developments in layout functionality within the i-cut software suite – Esko i-cut Layout+, a re-developed 64-bit application that runs on both Mac and PC platforms and makes nesting and layout preparation extremely intuitive and productive. Esko will also be demonstrating ArtiosCAD and Studio structural design software for design of displays and other structures in 3D; workflow automation with Esko Automation Engine to streamline and automate high volume production; and exceptional color management capabilities with Esko Color Engine to deliver against the high expectations of brand owners for color integrity in their signs and display graphics. A new color module not only proves to be a great ink-saver, it can also be integrated in an automated workflow and thus saves job setup time. Lastly, online editing capabilities integrated within Esko's workflow solutions will also be demonstrated on the Esko booth by CHILI Publish.

Learn from the application experts

Esko’s expertise goes beyond the hard- and software solutions it offers to sign & display and large format printing professionals, with extensive know-how on applications translated into the wide range of tools and tool heads that guarantee the best and most productive cutting, creasing or milling results on the widest range of materials. At a dedicated desk with tools and applications, Esko experts will guide visitors in their search for the best-fit solution for specific application needs. “Esko is one of the few global suppliers to the sign & display industry with such a broad range of integrated software and hardware solutions,” concludes Gougay. “We are looking forward to welcoming visitors from all over the world to our stand at FESPA Digital. We will have Esko representatives and distribution partners from everywhere available to speak with visitors in their native tongues and to address region-specific questions.”

Zünd is showcasing one of its most successful products, the S3 digital cutter, supported by new functionality at Ipex 2014.

The S3 is a modular cutting system designed for 24/7 operation, offering high productivity and enabling processing of an extensive range of materials up to 25 mm/1" thick. Print service providers can choose different levels of material-handling automation to meet their specific needs, and a variety of tools to deliver precise cutting and accurate jobs.

At Ipex 2014 Zünd will show an automatic sheet feeder to further enhance the S3’s performance. Increased productivity and a fully automated workflow are the main benefits that this new device will bring to the production environment. The automated loading system for sheeted materials is ideal for high-volume production. Loading, advancing and off-loading are perfectly synchronized to deliver high precision and efficiency, allowing printers to quickly manage larger orders and stay competitive.

At Ipex 2014 there will be also the opportunity to see the tandem vacuum system, which enables efficient loading/unloading of materials on one side of the cutter while production continues on the other one. This type of ‘pendulum’ production workflow allows for concurrent un-/reloading and cutting/processing. While the material is loaded/unloaded on one side, the machine continues cutting/processing the material on the other. This saves time and maximises productivity by keeping machine idle time to a minimum.

The Electric Oscillating Tool- EOT 250 is another valuable device for print service providers who handle sandwich board/honeycomb materials and cardboard. With an extended 2.5 mm stroke and high oscillating frequency, the robust and air-cooled EOT-250 is capable of managing these demanding materials at very high speeds. On its stand at Ipex, Zünd will process sandwich board materials such as X-Board and Reboard up to 22mm thick, to demonstrate the powerful features of this tool.

Demonstrating that finishing starts before a job is printed, the company will also showcase the functionalities of Zünd Design Center, an Adobe Illustrator plug-in to create three-dimensional designs for packaging and displays. Zünd Design Center provides a comprehensive library of ready-to-use designs in folding carton and corrugated cardboard for printers to choose from. 3D preview simplifies the selection of the right design for the job at hand and helps to verify how the layout changes once the operator has modified the relevant measurements, added logos, patterns and other graphic elements.

Oliver Zünd, CEO, comments, “Printers of a broad spectrum of applications are asking for increased productivity and a seamlessly integrated work environment, from print to finishing. The demand for efficiency and reduced make-ready times prompts Zünd to continuously invest in the research and development of easy to operate digital cutting systems, including advanced features to increase printers’ automation and productivity. We are confident that the solutions we are sharing with visitors at Ipex 2014 will help them towards a more profitable future.”

CTR Lasers, a British designer and manufacturer of laser cutting and laser engraving machines, is launching a new laser machine - branded TMX65-E – uniquely designed to work alongside embroidery machines at this year's Sign & Digital UK.

The floor-standing TMX65-E is a compact, versatile laser cutting machine ideal for those who are looking for a fast and accurate way to cut and trim fabrics after the embroidery work has been completed.  The British designed and manufactured TMX65-E has been specially adapted to work alongside embroidery machines, with custom fixtures to allow for different embroidery jigs to be securely held in place, this machine ensureshigh accuracy, speed and ease-of-use.

The machine features an entirely removable bed to allow for a range of embroidery jigs to be fitted securely in place.

For more information please visit www.ctrlasers.co.uk

In the past few years educational IT specialist, ICT Direct, has used its ISOFrame Wave stand from Paul Turner Displays at six major exhibitions as well as at several smaller events. The space taken at each event has varied considerably requiring the stand to work in many different configurations.

Some of the graphics have been updated and added to, as ICT Direct has developed its product range.  However, the core system originally purchased is still very much at the heart of the stand. There are now several large fabric panels incorporated into the system, which enable the stand to cover a much greater space at an exhibition.

The stand’s most recent outing was to Excel in London for the largest educational technology show in Europe, BETT. John Graham of ICT Direct comments, “I know Paul Turner, from Paul Turner Displays told us the system would be versatile when he first came to talk to us some years ago, but I didn’t really imagine we’d still be using it after all this time.

"We’ve expanded so much as a company and we now take a much larger space at the main shows, but the ISOFrame Wave system has always kept up with us. Whilst we’ve changed some of the original graphics, the main way we’ve expanded the stand is by adding fabric panels. They’re brilliant, they weigh next to nothing and provide a massive, seamless panel - there isn’t really a visible framework. Not only that, I can take them home and put them in the washing machine!” 

A lot of exhibitors at BETT are large organisations and so have space only, custom built stands, but there are also plenty of smaller companies who book shell schemes. ICT Direct would fall somewhere in the middle; they don’t want a simple shell scheme but don’t need a custom built stand either. Sometimes it isn’t easy being ‘middle sized’.

John continues, “A lot of the smaller companies had pop ups or roller banners put up within a shell scheme. The problem with this was that there’s always a bit of shell scheme sticking up above their roller banner. To be frank, it doesn’t look that professional. With our ISOFrame Wave stand, it’s that bit taller so we can often make ourselves more visible to visitors from a distance.”

John concludes, “The versatility of the ISOFrame Wave stand has made it a brilliant promotional tool for us, and exceptional value for money too. Paul Turner Displays have been extremely supportive in making sure it has worked to its optimum at every show we’ve attended.”