Hardware - Print Finishing

EskoArtwork has been dominating the digital cutting market since years with its successful Kongsberg series. With the launch of the Kongsberg XP digital cutting table in 2009, EskoArtwork responded to the need for a faster and equally highly reliable solution, specifically suited for short-run production. And the market responded positively with over 60 successful operational installations worldwide. Customers such as the STI Group in Germany; Third Dimension in the US and Artbox in Sweden are seeing tangible ROI through a dramatically increased productivity and efficiency , reduced costs and faster turnaround time. On top of that, there is no limit in the design shapes that can be cut as the Kongsberg XP allows for very intricate contour detail cutting.

A true production machine, the Kongsberg XP series is the first to be designed to operate continuously in a 24/7 production environment, targeted at corrugated packing companies and manufacturers of POP and permanent in-store product displays that need a fast and highly reliable solution for short-run production. Tom Erik Naess, CAM Product  Manager at EskoArtwork comments, "The immediate success of the XP proves that there is a market for a fast digital production machine within these segments. The next big step will be combining the XP's superb productivity with our experience in automated material handling.”

Customers benefit from the high level of productivity, while unleashing creativity

STI Group, a leading European display manufacturer headquartered in Germany, was one of the first customers to install a Kongsberg XP24. The new installation enabled the company to enlarge its modern digital printing and finishing department to produce custom made point-of-sale displays in small volumes that will be distributed through the STI-onlineshop.

“For us the Kongsberg XP24 is the perfect device to manufacture multi-component displays, mock-ups and personalized promotional material in a very short time as well as in a flexible and absolutely reliable way," comments Ulrich Klüber, Product and Process Innovation Manager at STI Group on the installation. "In conjunction with a large format HP Scitex digital printing press the Kongsberg fits very well in the existing EskoArtwork solutions and is optimizing the complete workflow." STI Group is also working with the interactive nesting tools SignUp and SignUp Auto to optimize substrate usage and minimize the waste of display material.

Geneva, Ohio-based Third Dimension owns three Kongsberg DCMs and a Kongsberg XL46 to keep up with the demand of quick turnaround, short-run, and just-in-time shipments. In the past year, the company also installed the Kongsberg XP24 to support their digital graphics department. “Rather than creating traditional displays, we maximize the customer experience by using several materials, such as plastics, foams and corrugated, in the same display,” says Steve Ellsworth, Production Manager and Sales at Third Dimension. “Our challenge was that we needed something to cut it. The Kongsberg XP has the speed and the ability to cut rigid materials. And we knew from experience that Kongsberg tables are workhorses. We run day and night on three 8-hour shifts, five days, 120 hours a week and the Kongsberg tables never let us down."

“By adding the Kongsberg XP24 into our lineup, it further increases our capabilities and lets us sell into new, different areas. It was the last piece of our puzzle,” explains Ellsworth. “We purchased the Kongsberg XP24 to cut rigid substrates along with vinyl, to be able to kisscut stickers. Our graphics and uniqueness of ideas set us apart. We are focusing on more creative POP and building a new website, Yourcompanyface.com, to offer even more new graphics ideas. The Kongsberg XP24 helps us create these new products and brings us into these new markets.”

Artbox, based in Strängnäs (Sweden), is a design house with strong focus on creativity. The company has Alfa-tested the Kongsberg XP for their production of high quality displays of all sorts of designs, forms and materials. The results were more than satisfying and the Kongsberg XP is now in full production at Artbox. “This is our third cutting table from EskoArtwork – a partnership that continues to deliver the service and excellent quality we are looking for," comments Henrik Lagerström, owner of Artbox. "We are always after the best-in-class products that will give us the competitive edge. We have been working with the Kongsberg tables for years and there is no comparable solution in the market. The installation of the Kongsberg XP24 provided us with even more  features that make our business a success such as a higher speed and more detailed cutting."

The Kongsberg XP is setting new standards

With a maximum cutting speed of 100m/min, these machines set a completely new standard in digital cutting coupled with the ability to handle larger sheet sizes and cut larger layouts which produces a massive increase in productivity, twice that of most other competitive solutions. Its productivity and speed not only result in improved turnaround time, but also in increased capacity so more work can be accepted.

The Kongsberg XP series are available in three sizes: the Kongsberg XP20 (working area 1680 x 1430 mm); the Kongsberg XP24 (working area 1680 x 3200 mm) and the Kongsberg XP44 (2200 x 3200 mm). Kongsberg XP is upgradeable to fully automated material loading, a must in high-volume operations, which extends the life-cycle for the solution and ensures a long-term investment.

 

EskoArtwork is inviting packaging professionals and students to show off their creative flair and enter the EskoArtwork Software Packaging Challenge. The competition tasks entrants with designing the packaging for EskoArtwork's Suite 10. The winner will receive $2,500 – or a $5,000 EskoArtwork Software Voucher – at the EskoWorld User Conference to be held April 18-21 in Tampa, Florida.

The winner is also guaranteed excellent exposure – the winning entry will be used to ship more than 10,000 EskoArtwork Suite 10 software packages. And EskoArtwork will make sure everyone knows about the winner's design!

EskoArtwork's Suite 10 is an upgrade of the entire EskoArtwork portfolio of software for packaging and print professionals. As the company is now releasing Suite 10, they want to use innovative packaging to ship the software to their customers. Traditional software packaging is often based on a folding carton shelve box, but they are looking for something new that can be different and innovative. Something that really catches the eye. EskoArtwork supplies the design brief, branding elements, technical support and logistics, and next it's up to the participants to create a packaging design that stands out!

Jef Stoffels, Director of Corporate Marketing at EskoArtwork, comments: "The EskoArtwork Software Packaging Challenge sums up what EskoArtwork is all about – innovation and pushing boundaries. The competition is an amazing opportunity for anyone with packaging know-how to make a name for themselves and get their design seen around the world."

Find out more!

 

• Who can enter? EskoArtwork welcomes entries from anyone involved in packaging – from design agencies, tradeshops and converters to educational institutions and students.
• Can I submit a joint entry with another company or educational institution? Yes, EskoArtwork encourages collaborative work! Just remember to name on your submission form everyone who worked on the design.
• Who's judging the competition? Not EskoArtwork! An independent panel of industry experts from around the world will evaluate the entries.
• When's the deadline? March 1st
• When will the winner be announced? at EskoWorld 2010, after April 18th, 2010.

 

 

Fujifilm Graphic Systems UK today announces the installation of an EskoArtwork Kongsberg i-XL24 finishing table in its state-of-the-art showroom in Bedford. This complements Fujifilm’s existing wide-format offering, allowing the company to demonstrate a complete wide-format solution from file delivery and media selection to the finished print.

Mark Stephenson, sales manager – digital solutions, Fujifilm Graphic Systems UK, comments: “We’ve got a successful history of helping printers introduce wide-format inkjet technologies into their businesses. By adding EskoArtwork finishing tables to our showroom, we are able to offer a complete wide-format solution.”

Paul Bates, regional business manager, UK & Eire, EskoArtwork, adds: “Fujifilm’s experience and heritage in the wide-format market perfectly complements our range of wide-format finishing solutions and it’s great that we have the opportunity to showcase our market-leading Kongsberg XL finishing table at Fujifilm.”

Fujifilm is able to offer one of the widest portfolios of production devices on the market, including the Inca Onset and Spyder platforms, and the Fujifilm Acuity Advance range. With over 200 European installations of flatbed production presses and a track record of benchmark inkjet head and ink development, the company brings many years experience of introducing wide-format devices to printers looking to adopt new digital solutions.

Based on the Kongsberg XL-Series of short-run production tables, EskoArtwork’s i-XL series utilises the industry standard for vision control, the i-cut® system. The Kongsberg i-XL complements digital printing of sign and displays with a unique finishing solution for the widest range of materials, providing automation, high productivity and outstanding precision. Thanks to its rock-solid construction with very strong vacuum grip, the Kongsberg i-XL flatbed plotting cutter is the ideal platform for handling the most demanding materials, delivering record-breaking productivity and versatility.

Spandex, the pioneering one-stop supplier of complete and innovative solutions to the digital printing and sign making industries worldwide, has announced the availability of Mutoh’s new, versatile and cost-effective Kona Series of high-performance multi-purpose vinyl cutting plotters. Designed to meet the specific requirements of home, office or professional sign cutting applications, Mutoh’s Kona Series of drag-knife cutting plotters offers users a plethora of advantages, including superior cutting quality and excellent tracking.

Spandex will supply all three models of the new Mutoh Kona range, all of which deliver advanced precision and performance for media up to 1mm in thickness. The Kona Series comprises the Kona SCL-760, offering a maximum sheet/roll media width of 1000 mm; the Kona SCL-1400 with maximum sheet/roll media width of 1640 mm; and the Kona SCL-1650, offering a maximum sheet/roll media width of 1890mm.

EPOS™ technology for automatic contour cutting and cut through
All three Mutoh Kona variants feature Mutoh’s integrated EPOS ® (electronic positioning) feature as standard. As well as traditional vinyl cutting, this laser-based optical sensor technology allows users to benefit from automatic contour cutting of pre-printed signs and stickers. In addition, EPOS™ incorporates a cut through feature which offers the capability to create convenient individual stickers for promotional, instructive or informative purposes. This innovative attribute enables the Mutoh Kona to provide a low-cost poster trimming solution for individual samples or small production volumes. For optimum user comfort, the Kona also includes a special print and cut workflow that will practically reduce operator errors to zero.

Furthermore, Mutoh’s new Kona cutting plotters are equipped with several features that afford increased functionality and ensure an efficient workflow; including an intuitive and user-friendly, full-colour, multi-language LCD touch screen. The Mutoh Kona Series also features a newly designed automatic sheet-off mechanism, incorporating a rotatable long-life blade with four cutting sides.

Dual Roll Support System
Additional user benefits are provided by media support rollers (standard on the Mutoh Kona 1400 and Kona 1650), which allow easy handling of regular vinyl and ensure perfect tracking. An optional second roll-off system is available for contact-free loading of pre-printed rolls. This enables users to maintain quality by ensuring freshly printed rolls are free of damage, marks or scratches.

The Spandex-supplied Kona includes a two-year spare parts warranty, as well as various optional extras to enhance productivity.

Drytac has engineered a new customisable power connection option for its VersaCoater XL80, allowing users to operate the machine using 25 percent less energy.

"We’ve made several other upgrades to the VersaCoater line recently, but the reduced power consumption has received the most attention,” said Jim Tatum, vice president of Drytac’s liquid coating division. "When economic times are difficult, everyone is trying to get a competitive edge and reducing cost while increasing speed is one reason why people will still make this type of investment".

With the new power option shop owners will be able to reduce electrical costs while still producing the same quality coated projects.

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.