Hardware - Print Finishing

Specialist exhibition stand designer Cannell Graphics plans to significantly increase its market share following the installation of a Kongsberg i-XL44 table from new EskoArtwork reseller City and West End Solutions (CWES). The first EskoArtwork order taken by City and West End Solutions will help the Essex operation produce a wider range of bespoke designs to help its customers stand out.

Managing director Kevin Cannell explains: “In a very competitive market it is important to offer something extra. A lot of our work is bespoke and with this investment we can be more innovate with the solutions we offer and have a wider choice in our portfolio.”

Kongsberg made the cut

After a careful review of the market Mr Cannell chose the table on the feedback he received from existing users and the advice offered by CWES. “We have been working with CWES for the past 15 years. They know our business inside out and we trust them to recommend solutions that will best address our needs," he says. “Coincidently we had been looking for a new cutting table for a while and the Kongsberg from EskoArtwork was very highly recommended. When CWES became a reseller and also suggested the table would be the perfect choice we were sold." “We did speak to other users as well and visited FESPA to see what other manufacturers had to offer. We looked closely at a number of options from other manufacturers but we kept coming back to the Kongsberg,” he continues.

One of the main benefits of the Kongsberg table is its ability to reduce raw materials used in the production process: “Because of its accuracy it cuts out a lot of waste. We also like the fact it could work with such a wide range of substrates from Dibond to Corrugated board.“ Equally important was the build quality and its operational capability, making it easy to get jobs on and off very fast adds Mr Cannell. “Because of our bespoke service we needed to be confident that every cut will be right and every job will meet the exacting requirements of our customers. With the Kongsberg we are,” he states.

The Kongsberg i-XL is equipped with V Groove tooling, meaning the table cuts and creases materials from both sides in perfect registration. Other benefits include automatic tool bar code identification, which speeds up tool insert changeovers and prevents user error. The job memory set-up saves significant time between jobs, while a tool head laser pointer and camera ensures fast and accurate registration.

Seamless software for higher productivity

EskoArtwork’s accompanying structural design software also played a vital role in the buying decision. Mr Cannell explains: “The fact the software seamlessly delivers the job to the table means we are not duplicating a process. Before we had to complete the design work on one package and then import it to another to put it on the table. This is a big benefit to us as it gives greater control and ensures we can work much faster."
“As both solutions are supplied by EskoArtwork, it means that the whole process is accurate and has integrity. We can be fully confident that the table will cut what we expect it to. The two work in tandem and that is fantastic,” concludes Mr Cannell.

The trend in the UK Sign and Banner making industry for 2011 is for printers to outsource less finishing and have all the benefits of increased profits and greater quality control by bringing their finishing in-house.

Solent Sewing & Welding's range of Miller Weldmaster and industrial sewing machines supplies a solution for sewing or welding 100% of the fabrics used in the sign and banner industry including digital textiles, mesh, PVC, PU, PE etc.

A family business, currently in its fourth generation and run by husband and wife duo Melanie and Ian Jenkins, Solent Sewing & Welding has been in the business of industrial sewing and fabric handling for nearly 50 years.

“Our Miller Weldmaster welding machines are the fastest on the market - precision heat sealing everything from tarpaulins, lorry curtains and the digital sign making market, all in the blink of an eye.  We have found that the wide and super-wide format sign making industry had a need for faster machinery and the Miller Weldmaster range offers the ideal solution.  We will be launching 2 new machines at Sign & Digital this year: the Miller Weldmaster 112 Extreme and Impulse Extreme with automatic folding device.  For producers of signs, banners and billboards we can supply the right machine to maximise productivity and enhance quality. From simple banner hemming through to a complete automatic custom system which will hem, eyelet, reinforce and cut banners and billboards,” comments Ian Jenkins.

He adds, “Being able to offer welding solutions for recyclable (PE) and traditionally non-weldables using heat activated tape is an example of how we are pushing forward into the future.  But above all, we set ourselves the target of providing the highest possible standards of customer service. Most of our customers have been with us for years and we have seen their businesses grow and prosper by helping all we can and going that extra mile.”

Especially for Sign & Digital UK 2011:

As one of the UK’s leading experts in sewing and welding solutions to the Sign & Banner finishing market, Solent Sewing and Welding is offering  for a limited time only, a FREE on-site, consultancy service in ‘How to maximise speed, profit and quality in finishing’ to the sign and banner market. In addition, before and during the show, the company will be taking orders for a special free sample finishing offer where sign and banner makers can send their samples for completion to their test specification after the show.

 

3M Commercial Graphics introduces Scotchcal Gloss Overlaminate 8528. This new overlaminate is specifically designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures, ultraviolet rays and acid dew common in Los Angeles and other west coast cities. In regions subject to intense heat, these conditions can lead to spotting and other discoloration in overlaminates.

"Our new overlaminate means longer-lasting graphics that stay vibrant, which helps make the most of our customers' investment and can set them apart from the competition," said Tim Boxeth, business manager for 3M Commercial Graphics. "The glossy finish gives that wet-paint look that customers are demanding."

Scotchcal overlaminate 8528 offers customers peace of mind with the industry's first published warranty for horizontal surfaces – two years for horizontal surfaces and up to seven years for vertical surfaces.

 

Atech has launched a new Bobis affordable flatbed multi-applicator/ laminator. 

All signmaking and graphic display companies that work with self-adhesive vinyl will see huge benefits from using a Bobis Multi Applicator.  By using the Bobis Multi Applicator, you will apply a job in a third of the time it would normally take to do the same job manually.

The Bobis machine is a true workhorse and can be used for all types self-adhesive applications including banners, signs, glass manifestation application, colouring of large areas and application on all kinds of substrates up to six centimetres thick. The large flat bed provides an ergonomic work station that is easy on your knees and back – no more climbing and knee bending when applying to very large signs, thereby helping create a safer and healthier working environment for your creative team.

 

Graphics One LLC has announced its new collaborative effort with Kala Finishing Systems of Nouvoitou, France. The Graphics One-Kala strategic alliance brings all the Kala product line distribution to North America and South American markets.

Kala is a European manufacturer of cold and hot laminators which offer new ideas and design friendly performance. Starting at $3,995 for a 30-inch printer and with the most expensive high end advanced system for less than $20,000. Additionally, Kala is the manufacturer of GO's Kala direct-to-fabric and dye sublimation 67-inch calender system.

According to Laurent Bouchard, Managing Director, Kala, "We are pleased to partner with Graphics One as they launch our product line in the Americas. With our outstanding success in over 50 other countries, we are pleased to now offer leading price and performance laminators to markets in the Americas."

"The partnership is great for the overall wide format printing industry with pricing which allows outstanding quality with very competitive performance and pricing. The GO / Kala collaboration offers an immediate opportunity for our customers to take advantage of the high quality and cost effective solutions offered by Kala," added Dan Barefoot, President of Graphics One LLC.

 

Colex will have the Fotoba Dreamcut XLD-170 on display at the upcoming Dscoop conference in Orlando.

Designed to work with both rolls and sheets, it is the perfect solution to cut and trim all flexible media output up to 67-inches wide and 35-mil thick. It is capable of handling the output of several printers. Imagine cutting a 150-ft media roll in less than 15 minutes. Regardless of any feed misalignment, the Dreamcut XLD-170 will automatically realign to the edge of the printed image. It will always produce square-finished images even if the printer fails to print parallel to the media edge or if the printer fails to wind up the rolls squarely.

Colex also offers a CNC Flatbed Cutter/Router powered by i-cut software and compatible with most industry RIPs. This economic Flatbed Cutter features a router spindle, fixed knife and oscillating knife tool holder, vacuum table and dust-removal system. A video of the Flatbed will be running continuously in the Colex booth.

The Fotoba Dreamcut XLD-170 is the most versatile of all Fotoba cutters; however, Colex offers a choice of Fotoba cutters sized from 44 – 126 in. wide for various finishing applications.

See more Colex/Fotoba finishing solutions in action on the Hewlett-Packard Booth 714. H-P is running its high-speed mega-size roll HP/Scitex Turbojet with the Colex/Fotoba inline workflow solution. The Colex Automatic Alignment Table receives the printed sheets and feeds it correctly into the Fotoba X-Y Cutter for automatic cutting and trimming while the printer continues to print.