Page 15 - Print 21 Magazine Jul-Aug 2020
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Cover Story
   hasn’t been addressed before, they don’t have to invest in a new table – they can buy a new module knowing Zünd is behind them.”
One new development in Zünd cutters is the addition of the overcut camera, which aids in registration of unusual cutting projects.
When you’re cutting a job on any machine you need a registration point, and when you have more speciality jobs or special substrates such as fabrics or expensive media, you need more dots to register and get an accurate cut. The camera sits above the bed and drags all that data in a single snapshot, as opposed to having a camera on the cutting head which needs to register every single dot. This essentially halves cutting and processing time.
The Swiss manufacturer has also released a new version of its Cut Centre software with data analytics, which will boost efficiency and flexibility for users. Eaton says, “You can log into it remotely via any web browser, which allows you not only to monitor the current jobs and arrange your workflow on a day-to-day basis, but view analytics such as how many boards are being cut with one blade,
is it the right blade, is there enough stock on the floor to make sure that there’s no downtime.”
The super-fast Zünd S3 line of cutters are modular and can be changed, expanded, upgraded any time. Modular tooling allows for processing a wide variety of materials up to a maximum thickness of 25mm. Various levels of automated material-handling turn the S3 into an all-round production system.
With its focus on innovation, Zünd has for decades been a driving force in the graphics industry. The ‘simple’ vinyl cutter/plotter of the past has evolved into a multifunctional digital cutting system capable of accurately matching cut to print while automatically processing a multitude of flexible and rigid substrates.
Eaton says, “In order to assist print businesses develop their non-print activities Starleaton has come up with a rental programme for any new tooling needed. For instance, if you win a contract for a $20,000 job, but the tool is $10,000 then instead of having to buy it, Starleaton will rent it to you. This means that you can take the job, rent the tool, and see how it works out. If it turns into a regular order you may want to buy the tool.
If it is one of a series of one-offs then renting means you can say yes to the job and make a sustainable margin
without being left with a piece of equipment that you may not use again.
“What you will find, though, for many applications is there is little to no extra investment needed to operate in that market – with the Zünd you may already have all you need.”
Eaton is not only thinking of
sign and display printers applying Zünd and an open mind to enter new markets. He says, “Commercial printers have the smarts and the skill sets. Carbon8 for instance
is primarily a digital commercial printer. And for commercial printers the investment in a Zünd, high quality Swiss manufactured cutting table, is nowhere near that of a new offset press.”
“What you will find though for many applications is there is little to no extra investment needed to operate in that market, with the Zünd you may already have all you need.” Ben Eaton, CEO, Starleaton
Applications Eaton mentions include a large project with a transport provider in Melbourne, another large project for the outdoor wear of a major organisation. He says, “One aspect that Covid has brought home is the challenging dependence Australia has on overseas manufacturing. There
is now a real determination to mitigate against this, particularly
in government sectors, and large corporates. This means a world of opportunity for Australian business.
Sure, they will never compete on price with China, but Covid has shown us that price is not the big be-all-and-end-all that it was once thought to be. Australia needs to be able to produce its own goods, and government wants to use Australian manufacturers to do that.”
Eaton points to another print business, Evan Evans in Melbourne, best known for its flag production, but which has turned its hand to producing covers for respiratory systems for patients in hospitals during the crisis – using its same Zünd cutters that were producing flags and signage. Eaton says, “This was a business that was strong in exhibitions and events. Almost overnight that side of the business was put on hold as Covid closed down those sectors. The company though did not sit crying into its beer, it thought about what it could do with the equipment and skill sets it had, and has done great business in its new sector, and provided a valuable service to the nation to boot.
“I think one of the things all businesses have to do, and Starleaton is no exception, is look at our business and think about where we will be in five and ten years time. Consider the data, consider the big trends. Advanced manufacturing will always have a place, and more than ever now in Australia. Sure print, displays and signage will be part of that, but there may be other areas as well that are waiting for you to exploit, and which may provide higher margins and more growth opportunities.” 21
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Zünd: multiple applications
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