Hardware - Print Finishing

The latest Summa F Pro Flatbed Series has changed the market of flatbed print finishing today.  It claims flexible productivity and low cost of ownership, all backed by Summa’s high quality engineering.    So ArtSystems decided to see how these claims on paper stand up in reality.  To see just how far they could push the F series they subjected it - and two of the ArtSystems team - to a 24-hour cutting marathon!

The Summa F Series 24 Hour Cutting Marathon stated at noon on 21st November and ended at 12 noon the following day.  Andrew Edwards, Sign and Display Manager and Bruce van Greunen, Applications Specialist had the job of keeping the Summa F series fed with jobs over the 24 hours.  They ensured a full range of finishing jobs were fed through the F Series continually, including roll to roll vinyl, cardboard, foam board and standard card materials.

The full range of jobs can be seen in the video where 24 hours are compressed down into 4 minutes.

"We wanted to demonstrate not just the wide range of applications that the F Series can handle but also at the same time reinforce the Summa reputation for excellent manufacturing quality. The fact that we ran the F Series totally trouble free for 24 hours straight we think proves that. Bruce and I struggled in the early hours of the morning so only the flow of double Espresso’s and the promise of a bacon butty kept us going!" comments Andrew Edwards, Sign & Display Divisional Manager.

The video is now live on ArtSystems' website, YouTube, iSignTube and SignLinkTV sites and its release marks the start of the campaign leading to Sign & Digital in March 2012 where the F Series will be centre stage on the ArtSystems/Summa stand.

ArtSystems website link: http://www.artsystems.co.uk/fader-vpr.asp

YouTube link: http://youtu.be/zLOMi1_68Xo

Tekcel CNC Solutions has announced the availability of a new addition to its range of CNC routers.  The new Tekcel GFX model provides a comprehensive solution to the so far unanswered demand for a heavy duty CNC router that also has the capability to deliver cutting and creasing across a wide range of digitally printed sheet and roll materials.

Tekcel CNC routers are highly regarded across a broad range of industries and have become a common sight in hundreds of sign, display and exhibition companies throughout the UK over the past 10 years.  The ranks of this ever increasing ‘Owners Club’ have recently expanded with the addition of a second Tekcel 3m x 2m ATC (Auto Tool Change) router for Blaze Neon; this time at its factory in Broadstairs, Kent.  Following the completion of its move to substantial new premises in Gateshead, Tyne & Wear, Jon Signs also installed its second Tekcel 3m x 2m ATC router.  Meanwhile,

Hampshire-based manufacturer, Camberley Signs has recently replaced two old Gerber models with one high production Tekcel 3m x 2m ATC router.
The new Tekcel GFX system combines the uncompromising CNC routing capabilities necessary to machine all manner of metals, plastics, woods and composites used daily by sign, display and exhibition companies, with the cut/print registration, knife-cutting and creasing tools required to cut the materials popularly fed through large format digital printers.  Unlike other systems on the market, where either the routing or knife-cutting utility is a bolt-on component often requiring manual removal and replacement, the Tekcel GFX fully integrates routing, registration and cutting tools into a comprehensive, Auto Tool Change, high production system.  In addition to the ability to switch between the routing, bevelling or folding tools traditionally associated with CNC routers, the Tekcel GFX also enables the operator to choose between oscillating knife-cutting, tangential knife-cutting and steered wheel cutting or creasing – all at the touch of a button and all with the benefit of an easy-to-use, ‘cut to print’ digital camera system on board.

As with all the models in the Tekcel router range, the Tekcel GFX has been designed to deliver the precision, productivity and reliability long associated with the Tekcel name and offers it to a much broader audience.  In keeping with the Tekcel manufacturing ethos of ‘only the best will do’, the new Tekcel GFX features advanced ballscrew drives on every axis, complete with digital encoded servo motors that deliver smooth, accurate, motion control at speed.  Providing the cutting power for the Tekcel GFX is an equally impressive, 8kw spindle fitted with ceramic bearings and electric fan cooling to ensure a long service life.  This versatile motor provides exceptional performance throughout its 6-24000 rpm range.  The Tekcel GFX also benefits from automatic tool indexing that can accurately measure the length of each and every cutter, knife blade or tool  for precise cutting and creasing depths, particularly essential for dealing with Point of Sale print work, inlays and folding aluminium composite trays.
According to Huw Davies, Marketing Director at Tekcel CNC Solutions, the introduction of the new Tekcel GFX is a direct response to market research and industry feedback.  “The convergence of the sign, display, exhibition, shopfitting and print industries through the widespread adoption of large format digital printing has given rise to the need for a heavy duty CNC routing and cutting system that’s capable of machining anything from stainless steel to self-adhesive vinyl … and just about everything in between.  The new Tekcel GFX is that system.”

Other features of the new Tekcel GFX include fully automated vacuum bed and dust extraction systems.   The ‘hole and pocket’ vacuum bed design effectively provides hundreds of suction cups to hold material in place and can be skimmed to provide an absolutely level surface for accurate routing, cutting and creasing.  The underlying aluminium slat profile and manifold system delivers exceptional hold down suction across all areas of the bed.  A high pressure dust foot ably assists vacuum extraction systems to remove swarf efficiently when routing and can be easily removed when not required. The Tekcel router range is available in a range of popular bed sizes all the way up to 4m x 2m as standard.  Tekcel CNC Solutions is also capable of delivering custom solutions for companies with specific requirements that fall outside its current model range.

Colourgen has announced the exclusive UK distribution of the new range of Kala Starter laminators. These new cold laminators provide simultaneous single sided lamination and adhesive mounting onto substrates up to 50mm thick and are available at an extremely competitive price.

This entry-level range of wide format laminators comes in 108cm, 140cm and 160cm widths and all models are capable of handling rolls up to 100m in length. The Kala Starter range supercedes the existing range of Kala Bunny laminators, by providing more capabilities and better ease of use.

Melanie Enser, Product Marketing Manager for Colourgen, says, “The new laminators are targeted at photographers, signmakers and printers looking for a first laminator or an additional machine at a low price for special requirements. The quality and reliability of the French manufactured Kala laminators makes the Kala Starter the perfect entry-level laminator”.

The Kala Starter laminators are manufactured to a very high standard and are designed to be easy to use and versatile. The pressure can be adjusted with a high level of control and visual gauge, unlike many other laminators at this price level, which often only have a pre-set lever to control pressure.

The new laminators simultaneously apply lamination film to one side and an adhesive layer to the other for easy finishing onto a broad range of substrates up to 50mm. Forward and reverse motion is controlled by hand or with a foot pedal and for safety purposes there is an emergency stop button.

“The build quality of the new laminators is very high so we do not expect them to require much by way of servicing and repair. They are very easy to use and we expect customers to be up and running and producing profitable finishing jobs very quickly indeed,” adds Enser.

The Kala Starter laminators are available immediately from Colourgen authorised resellers, with prices starting at £2,670 (ex VAT) for the 108mm version.

Fujifilm has now sold 26 miles of Wunderbars, its revolutionary framing system for canvas prints.  Since the launch of the framing solution in 2009,  Wunderbars have become a firm favourite with both retailers and photographers who appreciate the unique self-tensioning corner blocks that ensure the canvas never sags and that the print always remains taught. This exclusive system also allows the frame to contract and expand according to a room's temperature and humidity.

These self-tensioning canvas bars are available direct from Fujifilm via the company's on-line shop - www.fujifilm-inkjet.co.uk - and to celebrate the completion of their first marathon they are now available with a 10% reduction off list price. Simply enter the promotion code 'wunder26m' in the checkout. This code will allow two purchases per customer and is valid until 18 December 2011.

Wunderbars are even easier to construct than standard stretchers. They are precision machined so there is no need to measure or constantly hit the frame with a mallet during stretching; the frame will always remain square. The only tool needed to stretch the canvas is a staple gun, eliminating the need for mallet, pullers or expensive stretching machinery.

Wunderbars are available in a number of different sizes and finishes so for more information go to www.wunderbars.com

Vista System International, a world leader in Modular Curved Frame Technology (MCFT), recently supplied its elegant Healthcare Line signage solution to "Sign A Rama Duluth", for installation at Gwinnett Hospital, a healthcare complex located in Georgia, USA.

The project required a complete way finding solution for the complex. All signs needed to be consistent in manufacturing, appearance and functionality.

Vista Healthcare Line was chosen as it provided a complete uniform solution for the project, according to the customer's wishes. It offers a large, segment dedicated, variety of elegant and easy to update way finding products: directories, suspended signs, table stands, wall frames, projecting signs, as well as triangular, post, double-sided and illuminated pylons. 

Vista Healthcare Line is a system of way finding products designed with only one focus in mind: the specific signage needs of healthcare institutions. The result is a flexible, modernly designed system that covers all the signage needs of any healthcare facility.

Vista System's solutions are available in the UK.  For more information, please visit www.vistasystem.co.uk

MultiCam Inc. has added the Value-Series WaterJet to its product line which the company claims makes waterjet cutting more economical.  This pure water or abrasive cutting system features work surfaces up to 60" x 120".

“We designed the V-Series WaterJet to offer high performance, versatility and productivity at an affordable price,” said MultiCam Director of Sales and Marketing, John Harris. “It’s easy on the budget and a smart CNC (computer numerical control) investment.”

Fully enclosed bellows protect both the Y and Z axes from abrasive garnet build-up. The X axis features dual drives and completely covered custom aluminum extrusions to keep all precision bearing surfaces clean during the cutting process.

KMT’s new NEOLine 10d direct-drive intensifier rated at 10 hp and 40,000 PSI powers the V-Series WaterJet. The pump also is available in a single-phase electrical configuration, which makes it ideal for small shops without three-phase power.

For more information, please visit www.multicam.com