This has hardly been a year of major innovation when it comes to large-format finishing systems, but in a bid to bring you up to speed with the advances that have taken place in 2022 we asked suppliers to flag up what they’ve added to their offering, and also where they feel there is still the most need/scope for further development?
“We see resellers still having to spend time convincing print users to move to more automated finishing processes.” So says John Draycott, marketing manager at ArtSystems, which together with its partners is one of the biggest suppliers of large-format print finishing systems in the UK, so having him say that PSPs still need to be convinced to automate their finishing departments may be somewhat surprising given that for so many production efficiencies are a key focus, and as Draycott stresses, “the print finishing workflow is logical place to improve as it reduces waste and time dramatically”.
He adds: “The whole print workflow is under constant review, and many print companies have invested in software to help manage print from start to finish, so automating the final print finishing is the next step.
“Also, the pressures to reduce waste and to have full life cycle visibility means that print finishing has be more automated and manageable. All manufacturers are looking to make their finishing devices easier to use and to integrate into the full workflow, and that will accelerate over next few years.”
The Elitron KomboSDC+
Earlier this year Josero received Summa Cutter Partner accreditation, enabling it to offer consultations and advice on the full range of Summa products. Sarah Winterbottom, group sales director at Josero, builds on Draycott’s message: “As wide-format print technology evolves, with print speeds advancing all the time and automation reducing production downtime, the finishing department can often be the bottleneck when it comes to moving jobs through and out of the building efficiently - even more so if you outsource some or all of your finishing. Everyone’s focus is now on efficiency and lean manufacturing as maximising capacity and profit is crucial. The finishing technology in wide-format is also progressing, but perhaps not on a par with the print itself, so further R&D investment would be welcome to ensure the entire production process is optimised.”
Elitron says it will continue to invest in automation surrounding both printing and finishing in order to present new automated systems at Fespa Global 2023, and that: “Our focus is very much on automation in order to give our customers maximum flexibility. Not only does automation allow for greater productivity, but integration between both the printer and the cutting system and the printer and the loading/unloading system means that operator time is freed up to concentrate on specifically manual tasks.”
Fespa Global 2022 this spring meanwhile saw Elitron launch in-line automation for the large-format, multi-function Kombo SDC (3200mm width) conveyor cutting system, for roll and rigid media. The automatic feeding system not only seamlessly feeds the Kombo cutting system but it also incorporates a new vision system, the SDS Seeker System. This compliments the patented dual camera system to add further camera underneath the tabletop, to scan the materials directly from the underside.
All printed materials can now also be cut and creased with the print side facing downwards, without any operator intervention, as all images are all centred and aligned automatically, prior to being cut. This is in addition to the patented Seeker System Pro which scans, aligns, cuts and creases from the top side, using the two digital cameras - one on the cutting head and the other on the overhead frame.
The Elitron DL45
In addition, Elitron also introduced the Digital Multi Degree (DMD) module with both motorised giant circular blade and V-Cut blade options, and a new DL45 tool and a new automatic bit changer for the milling module at Fespa Global 2022.
The new DMD module promises to take creativity to the next level. Using either the giant, motorised circular blade of up to 200mm in diameter, or the V-Cut tool, both make light of cutting all honeycomb materials, with the possibility to digitally set the angle of the tools to suit the job in hand. The new, twin 45 degree blade tool is the latest, patented tool from Elitron. In one single pass, a clean 90 degree cut is created, thus cutting V-cut production times in half! It’s possible to start V-cutting anywhere on the sheets, as the independent blades are electronically controlled. The same DL45 tool can also be used in the traditional V-cut mode, with only one single blade, for maximum flexibility and complete creativity.
Fespa Global 2022 visitors also got the chance to see the fruits of a new collaboration between Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems and OneVision Software. The pair have developed an integrated automation system that at the show was used to demonstrate how an end-to-end workflow delivering consistent data can maximise digital finishing efficiency.
“Every converter wants their table to be running as close to 100% of the time and have as little downtime as possible,” says Koen Van Reybroeck, product manager at Kongsberg PCS. “They also want quality end products every time, regardless of who is operating the machine. The key to achieving this is consistency in the data sent to the machine and standardisation based on the materials being produced.
“To get the best performance from our i-cut Production Console (iPC) and the table, the user wants to send additional metadata with the cut file,” Koen explains. “For example, the name of a substrate that will be used for producing the job. By focusing on the material, we can then standardise and optimise, automatically applying tools and settings that give the best cutting result. We refer to this as our ‘material is key’ way of working, ensuring a consistent file input quality, correct material and tooling presets and full unattended machine production.”
OneVision business development manager Sacha-Vittorio Paolucci adds: “The OneVision software can be easily integrated to automate and standardise all production steps from entry to finishing. With the smart connection to the Kongsberg cutting table, print and cut files are automatically checked and optimised. Market-leading nesting technology and cut line management prepares the files optimally for further finishing. This means that manual interventions thus become unnecessary, and processes are more efficient due to a substrate-saving production.”
Koen says that the focus of the integration is automation, both in file preparation and also on the cutting table itself. “With the Kongsberg-specific output formats and the integration of the Connect to Kongsberg module, OneVision users can now automatically push files to iPC and import them in a consistent way onto the cutting tables.This also enables an operator to perform full, unattended production, freeing their time and further boosting efficiency and productivity.”
The Moditech EWS Electronic Work Station
OneVision’s software solution also allows barcodes (QR) to be automatically added to the print file, helping speed up the production process as iPC can then load, prepare and start the different jobs automatically on the table, whether roll or sheet-fed production.
“This smart workflow offers standardisation in iPC based on materials and tooling presets, delivering consistent cut quality independent from operator experience, as well as a more economical production for print service providers,” stresses Koen.
Also new to the UK in 2022 is the Moditech EWS Electronic Work Station, Swedish designed and manufactured by EWS and introduced here by Your Print Specialists in August.
With a working width of 1750mm and three available lengths, the Moditech flatbed is available in two models, the X2 and X4. Both models feature electronically controlled legs allowing the height to be adjusted at the touch of a button, which makes it easier to achieve a comfortable working position which in turn can have a positive impact on operator wellbeing. The table can also be tilted up to 25 degrees depending on the task at hand and, with a foldable glidebeam, the full table space can be utilised.
The EWS is user friendly and ergonomic with a range of features to aid the user. The electronically controlled pressurised roller ensures an accurate and even pressure along the entire length of the roller. This allows the operator to work anywhere on the table without the need to stretch towards the middle. Storage shelves and recessed grooves for cutting are on both sides of the table for added ease. With optional extras such as an LED backlit surface, remote control and heated roller, the EWS can be built completely to specification. Each EWS is packed and delivered vertically with just a 78cm width and 190cm height, making installation into small spaces easier.
YPS MD Georgia Brown concludes: “As soon as we saw this product we knew we wanted to offer it. From the quality of work and reduction of waste to the overall health and wellbeing of operators, this is a bit special.”
Vivid flags up the Zip Core Design Pro CAD/CAM packaging software that has been developed to enhance the use of the Veloblade Nexus range of wide-format digital die cutting systems. It offers a library of parametric models and packaging designs, including ECMA, FEFCO, corrugated Board and more - plus a library of FSDU displays designs which includes POP and POS.