Page 29 - Print21 Jan-Feb 2020

Wide Format Finishing
workflow with a digital flatbed cutter,” he says.
More recently, Canon has introduced AutoPilot, which Muratore says reduces finishing turnaround times, cuts costs, and increases workflow flexibility.
“Using a Canon EOS overhead camera and software system designed to optimise Canon ProCut digital finishing productivity,
the AutoPilot software converts registration data from the camera to individual finishing specifications for each job – from cutting to creasing to kiss-cutting,” he says.
The ProCut range comes in 11 different sizes, suitable for small runs, large runs, and prototypes. According to Muratore, flatbed tables like ProCut can help printers unlock new opportunities that require quality finishing tools.
“Using UV cured inks allows printers to image on a wide variety of substrates, which in turn means a wide variety of applications can be attempted. We have customers producing work on glass and acrylics, which lends itself to bespoke interior design.
“Other customers are using
CAD or CAM software and cutting devices to produce high value point of purchase and point of sale pieces,” he says.
Esko brings a new Edge to entry level
Graphic arts solutions manufacturer Esko is known for its Kongsberg series of automated cutting tables
– and now, according to Scott
Thompson, printers just starting out have a way to make use of the advantages of Kongsberg at a fraction of the price.
“Earlier this year, Esko introduced the Kongsberg C Edge,
a production solution with an upgrade path to the Kongsberg
C with the same exceptional quality. As of November, we have introduced the new Kongsberg X Edge. The Kongsberg X Edge can be equipped for any application and is ready to grow with your business to the Kongsberg X.
“The Kongsberg Edge Range solutions now offer the same robust platform with an extensive range of sizes, modular tooling and automation options at a remarkable price point.
“Businesses can now take advantage of Kongsberg’s unique build features, like our carbon composite traverse and our rack- and-pinion drive system ensuring the best quality and accuracy with even the most demanding materials, and know they have an upgrade path catered to the level their business needs as it grows,” says Thompson.
Through its channel partners, Fuji Xerox and Fujifilm, Esko’s Kongsberg solutions can be bundled with a range of flatbeds and roll- fed printers to accommodate any application, says Thompson.
“Not only do we have our hardware digital finishing solutions, but we also have our complete software and workflow solutions around digital finishing and production for any business –
Main
Grows with your business: the Kongsberg X Edge
Futureproof: Zünd
whether already established in wide format, or just getting into it.
“There’s no real limitation – our customers range from complete wide format to display, soft and rigid signage, labels and stickers, folding carton, corrugated, and so on. Getting into wide-format and large-format, with the Kongsberg solutions and Esko software, is very easy for any application including signage and display. You can present a wider offering to your customer base,” he says.
Futureproof with Zünd
Zünd cutting tables are distributed in Australia by Starleaton, and according to Ian Cleary, industrial sales manager at the graphic arts supplier, are a best-in-class solution for finishing.
“Zünd is known within the industry as having the best cutters for a number of reasons: build quality, efficiency, flexibility of applications due to the modular design, and the quality of cut the machine produces thanks to its patented blade system.
“Zünd is the highest-volume cutter on the market, and the quality of the finished product is also second to none. Zünd makes all the components, which gives the customer one point of focus without needing to talk to a third party. It’s all under one roof. Our customers have a lot of faith in that environment, there’s so many of these cutters worldwide,” he says.
Cleary adds that incremental upgrades and additions to the modular Zünd range mean that customers can keep the same machine for longer, making for a futureproof cutting solution.
“The developments with the Zünd tables at the moment are around extra tooling – opening up more applications in the same machine – or automation in areas such as material handling and registration systems.
“It all comes back to creating more efficiency and saving
time and labour. Incremental developments across the Zünd range are allowing customers to get more time out of their business. It’s not exactly new equipment – it’s improving on the existing range, which is why Zünd is so valuable. It’s futureproofing businesses through build quality and upgradability,” he says. 21
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