Hardware

From local company to global enterprise with a recipe for sustained success:  Zünd Systemtechnik AG in Altstätten celebrates 25 years.

Together with 125 employees and their families, business associates, local community and political leaders, Karl Zünd celebrated his company’s 25th anniversary and inaugurated the new Minergie-P building.  He also took this opportunity to announce that, at the beginning of 2010, he would formally turn over Zünd Systemtechnik AG’s day-to-day operations to his sons, Mike and Oliver Zünd.  Karl Zünd will maintain his leadership role in strategic planning, ensuring Zünd‘s continuity in maintaining local roots while exerting global influence. He will continue to actively participate in management and preside over the company’s board of directors.

Introducing numerous technical innovations over the years, Karl Zünd has successfully evolved the company from a small business to a worldwide leading manufacturer of digital cutting systems.

The crowning event of the company’s 25-year festivities was the inauguration of the latest expansion of its headquarters, the first Minergie-P industrial building in Switzerland.

In 1984, the company’s early days, Karl Zünd began distributing Wild flatbed cutters.  Within two years, he had recruited a number of engineers to help develop new tool heads and other add-ons, such as an automatic advance mechanism for rolled materials. Five years later, he brought the first Zünd plotter, the P-1200, to market.  Multifunctional tool heads and a systematic pursuit of modularity formed the basis of Zünd’s diversification strategy and, to this day, continue to provide the gateway to many new opportunities.

Today Zünd is the leading supplier of flatbed cutters to the graphics industry worldwide and a close second in packaging.  In the leather and textile industries as well, Zünd is among the principal providers of digital cutting systems. „These days,” as Mr. Zünd sums it up, “we are virtually surrounded by products that come off our cutters—products that at some stage have been cut, routed, or scored with Zünd equipment.”

With its innovative products, Zünd continues to set milestones in cutting technology.  A little more than a year ago, the company launched G3, the third and most advanced generation of Zünd digital cutters/routers.

Just in time for the anniversary, Zünd Systemtechnik AG moved into the third expansion of its headquarters in Altstätten, Switzerland. The new addition is bound to attract nationwide attention since it is the country’s first industrial building certified as Minergie-P.  It utilizes 5 times less energy than newly constructed conventional buildings and produces 5 times less CO2.  Approximately 12% of total building costs went toward meeting Minergie-P standards. The building’s future-oriented architecture is a reflection of Zünd’s corporate culture of responsibility toward man and nature.  It combines economic efficiency with sustainability and harmony with nature.

 

As keen industry watchers, here at LFR we've always been surprised at the apparent lack of interest here in the UK for fabric printing and soft signage - in other countries soft signage is a buoyant market sector, perhaps nowhere more so than Italy  - we are off to Viscom Milan later this week, and if that particular show runs true to form, every other stand featuring large format printers will have one of those printers producing directly onto fabrics.

Perhaps this latest soft signage printer from Mutoh will get a few more UK users thinking about the possibilities...

 

For volume producers of soft sign prints, Mutoh launched the Viper TX Soft Sign printers at Viscom Dusseldorf a few weeks ago - enabling direct printing onto soft sign polyester fabrics with open and closed structure.

Available in 64” (163 cm) and 88” (222 cm) widths, the Viper TX Soft Sign piezo inkjet printers are fit for a wide variety of applications : heavy duty flags, banners, architectural graphics, sport arena displays, wall murals, home furnishings, curtains and much more.

Offering a solid industrial design, the Viper TX Soft Sign printers enable a paperless workflow. The machines are equipped with an infrared dryer and fan bank as well as a fixation unit.

Including a heavy-duty media unwinding/winding system with front and back fabric stabilisation belt for media rolls up to 150 kg, the Viper TX Soft Sign printers offer typical production speeds up to 37 m²/h. The printers use environmentally friendly VOC free water based direct disperse inks.

Mutoh America Inc., who did much of the early field development on the hybrid Mutoh 1608 printers, have announced the next generation, the ValueJet 1608HA hybrid printer.

Specifically designed to meet the demands of customers, and priced at $49,000 (under £30,000) the technical advancements are as follows:

- A compressor is no longer required. The VJ1608HA includes a medical grade air pump to drive the heated air nozzles. The air pump incorporates external filters that help reduce condensation and damage from foreign particles.

- New heavy duty design and construction of the feed and take-up tables.

- VJ1608HA integrates the hot air nozzle controllers into the printer thus enabling control of the HAN from the RIP or control panel.

- Advanced new print modes including a 1440x1440 dpi resolution with double the speed!

- Now incorporating the latest Epson print head that has 5 variable dot sizes.

- Improved air flow and circulation through the printer cabinet.

"The technical innovations made to the ValueJet 1608HA raise the bar. The new model maintains high image quality with user-friendly features, says Brian Phipps, Director of Sales.

Effectively and efficiently designed to increase productivity and can be used to print on both rigid substrates and roll to roll including car wraps. The ValueJet 1608HA prints directly onto corrugated plastics, polystyrene, PVC, acrylic, Polycarbonate, foam board, aluminum composite, banner, wall covering and more.

A flatbed with brilliant results at a price you can afford, reaching speeds up to 120 sq/ft/hr in production mode using Mutoh's patented Intelligent Interweave print technique that virtually eliminates banding.

The ValueJet 1608HA uses MUBIO INK, recognized by the EPA Design for the Environment program composed of 80% plant derived substances, containing no harmful VOC's. A  4-colour printer with a maximum resolution of 1440 dpi, and automatic media thickness detection. The MUBIO INK is available in 880 ml ink packs.

 

Challenge:

• Press On Digital Imaging needed a large-format printing solution that would help sharpen its competitive edge and broaden its offerings.

Solution:

• New HP Designjet L25500 Printer with HP Latex Inks
• Recyclable HP large-format printing materials, including new HP Light Textile Display Banner
• HP Large-format Media take-back program

Results:

• Fast-drying HP Latex Inks help improve turnaround times critical to winning new business and improve Press On Digital
• Imaging’s work environment.
• The HP Designjet L25500 Printer appeals to environmentally conscientious customers by delivering odorless prints3 on recyclable HP printing materials.

Make-or-break technology

In the fiercely competitive large-format printing market, technology can make or break a business. Investing in the right technology at the right time can make a positive, long-term impact on a company’s bottom line. For the last six years, Press On Digital Imaging (PODI) has made HP its technology provider of choice.

The U.K.–based company tried many manufacturers’ models before turning to HP in 2003 when it was drawn by HP’s rapid technology advancements. In August 2009, PODI turned to HP technology again to set itself apart from the competition, becoming one of the first to use the new HP Designjet L25500 Printer with HP Latex Inks.

PODI needed no-compromise performance for its busy retail, events and construction customers, and it was eager to put the HP Designjet L25500 to work. “This is an ideal printer for anyone wanting an all-around performer that’s easy to use and has indoor and outdoor versatility,” explains Andy Wilson, PODI managing director. “Plus, it has the same reliability HP is known for, and HP Latex Inks that improve my work environment and give me a competitive edge.”

Do-it-all versatility and ease of use

With a customer base that demands a wide range of large-format printing offerings, Press On Digital Imaging benefits from the indoor and outdoor versatility of the HP Designjet L25500. HP Latex Inks deliver sharp, vivid image quality that stands up to close inspection as well as long-lasting, durable prints that withstand the elements.

PODI immediately put these capabilities to the test on both fronts. It printed advertisements for an international coffee company for placement on elevator doors in malls around London. It also created outdoor prints for the 8-foot walls that surround construction at the Park Lane Hilton in London. In both settings, the results were outstanding — and fast.

Wilson notes that HP Latex Inks’ fast dry times were essential. Compared with solvent-based printing, PODI saved more than eight hours of drying time on the elevator-door prints. It also saved 36 hours of drying time on the prints for the Hilton, which allowed the company to produce the 516.67 square feet (48 square metres) of advertising in just three days.

The HP Designjet L25500’s versatility and fast turnaround times help PODI meet tight deadlines, and it provides tremendous advantages when it comes to winning print jobs. “The quickest company is often the one that gets the work. With HP Latex Inks, we’ll never again worry if the prints are dry, and we’ll be that much faster than the competition,” Wilson explains.

Beyond these features, Wilson says the ease of use of the HP Designjet L25500 also stands out. He explains that, because of the HP Latex Inks’ consistent results, “you don’t have to learn through trial and error like you do with a solvent-based printer. Plus, you don’t have to strip it down every morning and clean it religiously. When the printheads run out, you simply replace them.”

Competing-edge printing

The HP Designjet L25500 and water-based HP Latex Inks also provide Press On Digital Imaging many of the benefits of eco-solvent-ink technology, without the environmental, health and safety considerations. The benefits to print service providers are significant. The inks require no hazard labels and contain no hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).1 Plus, they are nonflammable and noncombustible.2 All of this can help to create an improved working environment for printer operators.

The benefits to environmentally conscientious customers are also substantial. The HP Designjet L25500 produces odorless prints3 and is compatible with HP recyclable large-format media, including new HP Light Textile Display Banner which can be recycled through the HP Large-format Media take-back program.4 Wilson says that by avoiding landfill disposal and associated expenses, media recyclability could present real cost advantages that can be passed on to customers.

Benefits to customers and print operators lead to a distinct competitive advantage. According to Wilson, many customers in the United Kingdom put a high priority on reducing the environmental impact of printing. “Green solutions are increasingly required by customers. Having a product with a better environmental profile opens doors and wins business,” he says.

Reliable performance makes a smart investment

The competitive nature of large-format printing means there is no room to make mistakes or miss deadlines. That requires technology with performance that is always reliable. And Wilson explains that reliability is one of the main reasons he’s stayed with HP, and why he runs a fleet of eight HP Designjet Printers.

“When I’m bidding for a job,” Wilson says, “I need to have the confidence that I can deliver on time. If the machine breaks down, I’ve lost a customer for good. We’re a small business, and technology is a big investment. In my experience, HP technology has always been reliable.”

Irish company Sigma Print & Media Group today announced it is the world’s first customer for the new Roland DG XC-540MT wide format metallic inkjet printer. Offering an unprecedented use of metallic inks, the new XC-540MT metallic inkjet printer will enable the company’s new wedding book division to bring unique, robust and visually brilliant printing options to its line of bespoke personalised wedding and photo books. The wide format metallic inkjet solution was unveiled at the recent Sign & Digital Ireland show, and marks a quantum leap for the printing industry, enabling users to print silver in addition to the regular CMYK+white to create a whole spectrum of metallic colours.

“The photo book market is one of the fastest growth markets within the print industry, and with the introduction of the XC-540MT, we are able to bring a very unique and emotive product to the marketplace” said Rory Kelly, CEO, Sigma Print & Media Group. “The ability to produce dynamic metallic colours and finishes will enable us to create high end and bespoke covers for our wedding books and photobooks. All individual tastes and preferences can be accommodated. We see becoming Roland DG’s first worldwide customer as the first step towards a lengthy and mutually beneficial business relationship.”

"We are proud to have an innovative industry-leading company like Sigma Print & Media Group as the first customer for our XC-540MT metallic inkjet printer,” said Martin Phillips, Director of Sales Roland DG (UK). “This new strategic customer relationship with Sigma is very much a synergy in thinking between our two companies. With the XC-540MT, we are continuing to push the boundaries of technology to evolve with our customers’ ever-changing business needs. This new evolution in printing will allow customers like Sigma to differentiate themselves from their competitors while reaping the rewards of value-added service and increased profitability.”

About Sigma Wedding & Photo Books

Sigma Print & Media Group is the first company in the wedding market to offer bespoke photobook style wedding albums. The wide range of wedding book packages features a variety of contemporary and classic cover styles, including personalised dust covers. Sigma’s investment in advanced digital technologies ensures delivery of high quality cost efficient products without the normal waiting period for printed albums. With a huge emphasis on customer experience, Sigma will also offer canvas prints, photographic and professional studio services. The entire production process, from design through to print and finishing, will be managed and supplied by the Sigma Wedding Books division.

In addition, Sigma Print & Media are currently in the process of trialing high volume digital colour printing equipment with plans to enter the online photobook market in the coming months. Our software and web stores will allow customers to create, edit and order their own personal Photobooks online using our desktop and browser based creation software. Sigma Wedding Books website will be launched in mid November with Sigma photobooks website debuting in January 2010.

Brilliant Graphics Group/Sampco Co. was recently honoured with the Specialty Graphics Imaging Associations coveted André Schellenberg Golden Image Award for Trade Show Displays and Exhibits. “The Best of What Digital Imaging Has to Offer” Gold Medal was presented at SGIA in New Orleans for an innovative brick paver image printed on carpet using a Durst Rho 800 Presto UV inkjet printer.

This prestigious award is presented to digital printers and recognises dedication and talent in creating the best of what digital imaging has to offer, according to the SGIA.  The Schellenberg award was presented to the Brilliant Graphics Group founder and CEO Michael O. Ryan during the 2009 SGIA Expo.

“This is a remarkable honour”, said Ryan. “It’s our combination of creative design experience combined with the world’s finest digital imaging technology, such as the Rho 800, that allows us to produce award-winning products – not just for the competitions, but for every one of our clients every day of the year.”

The winning entry was a carpeted floor talker for the building materials industry.  Brick pavers were captured on a Cruse HD Scanner, colour matched and printed on carpet using a Durst Rho 800 Presto UV flatbed.  Ryan said the end result was a reproduction of the pavers that was printed Color Perfect™ and difficult to distinguish from the original.

This year’s event drew a wide range of innovative imaging products – nearly 450 entries from more than 90 companies around the world.  The event, named after the SGIA’s founding father, André Schellenberg, is a technical competition.  Prints are judged on their level of difficulty and quality of execution.

“All of us at Durst are proud of the role we played in Brilliant Graphics Group’s award, and its recognition as one of the top digital printers in the world in terms of quality and capability,” said Michael Lackner, Marketing & Sales Manager for Durst U.S. “We congratulate Michael Ryan and his team, and we look forward to continued success together producing output judged to be world class year after year.”

The Durst Rho 800 Presto is the world’s first large format digital imaging platform with “continuous board printing” for highest productivity. It is capable of printing up to 100 125 x 80cm (4 x 2.6 ft.) sheets per hour. It will also print up to a maximum width of 250cm (8ft) by any length and can print white and special colours, including light cyan and light magenta or clear varnish without loss of speed.