If it’s cutting creativity you’re after, look no further than an AXYZ CNC router which is capable of doing much more than just profile cutting of 2D letters and shapes. These CNC routers have been specially developed for both the signmaking and print finishing industries.
The AXYZ and Pacer power brands from AXYZ International offer a host of both individual and complementary design and performance capabilities. In terms of process area and cutting head options AXYZ routers can claim “best in class” status, based on AXYZ International’s ability to build machines that offer virtually any length and width of processing area and with the option of one or two carriages on the gantry, each featuring up to three cutting heads in any combination of router and knife tools and with an optional automatic tool change facility. They also come with a range of both standard and optional production tools to enhance these capabilities and to enable engagement with peripheral work like print-to-cut applications.
Perfect Vision
Owners of CNC routing machines supplied by AXYZ International can now benefit from the new state-of-the-art AXYZ Vision System (AVS). The system incorporates a low cost camera that can be easily mounted on the head of the AXYZ router, either as an optional new production feature or as an upgrade to existing installations. Use of the AVS will ensure that printed images are cut accurately and at high speeds and also reduce waste.
The power behind the AVS emanates from the dedicated software that is fully integrated within the A2MC machine control system, which comes as standard with all AXYZ routers. The AVS is compatible with all cutting tools that can be used on an AXYZ machine such as routers, oscillating knife, tangential knife and even vinyl drag knife tools. This allows virtually any printed material to be cut including card, vinyl, rubber, foam, aluminium, wood, acrylic and lots more which opens up many new markets and opportunities for digital printers.
All program adjustments are done by the AVS on the machine controller at the time of cutting and is therefore separated from the initial toolpath creation which can be done in almost any machine programming system. This means that a wide range of programming features are available to be used which can be very important for cutting certain materials or shapes.
By driving down the cost of the AVS, it should now be possible for many more customers to take advantage of the supreme flexibility of the AXYZ machine and benefit from reduced waste, increased accuracy and higher output.
Existing AXYZ machine users will be pleased to hear that the AVS can be easily retro-fitted to older machines, the cost of which will depend on age and configuration of the machine.
Clear Cut Quality
A robust AXYZ cutting table is the perfect partner for your flat bed printer allowing you to use the right cutting tool for all printed materials.
The Oscillating Tangential knife is designed to provide high accuracy cutting of a wide range of semi rigid materials. Blade oscillation and tangential control ensures that the cutting blade delivers accurate cuts even on thicker materials without excessive over cut. The Oscillating knife is available with a wide range of blade lengths and attack angles, to suit a wide variety of materials. The Oscillating knife in conjunction with the AXYZ AVS system delivers incredible value for any print-to-cut operation.
The Tangential Knife adds the robustness needed for heavier knife cutting applications than the vinyl knife can accommodate. A selection of optional interchangeable cartridges are available which can accommodate standard knife blades as well as pizza wheel cutters, creasing wheels and 45degree blades. The tangential knife can be used for cutting styrene, composites, duct liner, X-board and many other materials.
For heavier rigid materials such as aluminium, ACM, MDF and acrylics which are increasingly being printed on by the latest generation of flat bed printers, the AXYZ routing spindles with power outputs up to 10hp are the perfect tools for finishing. These can easily cut through 12mm acrylic in a single pass, guided by the AVS for perfect accuracy and a polished edge finish.
To take advantage of this variety of tooling a popular machine configuration would have 2 heads, a routing spindle and a knife tool both combining with the AVS to give maximum versatility from a single cutting solution.
Satisfied Customers
Daytona Visual Marketing is a well-known and much respected provider of high-quality display solutions for the graphics industry. They installed an AXYZ 6010 router in their facility and Managing Director Andy Wassall commented: ‘We chose AXYZ International as a working partner and not simply as a machine supplier. Routing and cutting is only a part of what we do but it is everything in which AXYZ specialises. We have been impressed not only by the reliability and quality of the machine but also by the way in which AXYZ engineers work closely with us to achieve our clients’ requirements and in particular those which are more difficult or challenging and which demand a high level of ingenuity, versatility and adaptability. Having access to AXYZ International’s considerable knowledge base has enabled us to complete some very complex and high quality projects for a number of well-known companies.
An AXYZ 4008 router from AXYZ has provided the perfect answer to the precise cutting of polycarbonate at Somerset-based Teklagraf. The company is a specialist manufacturer of bespoke polycarbonate and anodised aluminium labels and placards used primarily in the aerospace and OEM industries.
The AXYZ machine installed at the facility incorporates a dual cutting head and camera registration system and uses the Delcam Artcam Insignia software. Teklagraf Director Don Towie commented: ‘The machine was purchased for knife cutting polycarbonate and for routing small shapes in aluminium. Due to the camera registration system, shapes can be cut more quickly without having to align the material when placed on the routing table.’ Don Towie added: ‘The service provided before, during and after installation was excellent.’
Another satisfied customer, Bill Baker of Park Place Sign Systems who are based in Missouri also purchased an AXYZ 4008 Series CNC router complete with a print-to-cut registration camera system. He commented: While many competitors machine features were similar, AXYZ always sold the features and benefits of their machine rather than discrediting competitor’s units.”
“The price was very competitive and AXYZ worked with us to make sure our unit performed the way we expected. The purchase of our table provides more consistency in the finished sizes of our sign products when compared to hand finishing by our fabrication personnel. We also realised an increase in capacity and a reduction of labour costs by utilising the AXYZ AVS registration camera. We eliminated hand routing of our signs and improved our finished edges.”
CNCRoutershop
The AXYZ International customer support facility, CNCRoutershop, continues to expand with the addition of new CNC routing tools, consumables and accessories sourced from leading quality suppliers in the UK and Continental Europe. In particular, these include specialist routing tools for the more complex or difficult-to-process materials. Virtually any popular brand of router, regardless of design and origin, can now be accommodated including, of course, all AXYZ International machines.
For further information, visit www.axyz.com, www.cncroutershop.com or telephone 01902 375600.