Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems (Kongsberg PCS) has unveiled its latest innovation, a state-of-the-art, very large format digital drawing and light cutting machine that sets new standards in precision. 

The new Kongsberg C68 Exact drafting and cutting machine has been specifically developed for industries demanding the utmost accuracy, such as the aviation, aerospace or adjacent precision-focused sectors, and combines the deep legacy of the company with the latest in cutting-edge technology. 

“Built for those sectors with extremely high expectations of accuracy combined with a large area, the Kongsberg C68 Exact sets a new standard for precision in very large format drawing and light cutting,” said Stuart Fox, CEO & President of Kongsberg PCS. “With this latest innovation, we are realizing our stated ambition of exploring new markets and delivering on our objective of further developing our digital solutions to grow the Kongsberg brand beyond the print and packaging industries.” 

Designed to meet the particular demands of very accurate drafting and cutting, the C68 Exact delivers extremely high-quality drawing and plotting with fiber or ball point pen tools, on paper and other smooth surfaces. With a special vacuum drilling pattern and smooth surface treatment, the tabletop facilitates extra-precise drawing and light cutting. 

“We developed a completely new production process to ensure the very highest accuracy and repeatability values to meet or surpass the strictest aerospace requirements,” explained Stuart. “During the Factory Acceptance Test process, every Kongsberg C68 Exact machine is systematically measured with a laser interferometer to ensure it delivers the required accuracy.” 

Based on the powerful market-leading Kongsberg C platform of cutting tables, the Kongsberg C68 Exact is also capable of precisely cutting paper-based materials, plastics, or other flexible materials, boasting an impressive surface measuring 3210 x 6400mm (126.37 x 252in). Primarily designed to meet the exacting standards and requirements of the aviation industry, the new Kongsberg C68 Exact can be used across a range of very large format production, including masking films, polyester sheets, PVC films, flexible foils and drafting paper. 

“Much like the recently launched Kongsberg Ultimate, the new Kongsberg C68 Exact drafting and light cutting table builds directly on our 60-plus year legacy of developing machines that set new standards in their field,” said Stuart. “All of the Kongsberg know-how of accurately converting materials is combined in this machine.” 

For more on the Kongsberg C68 Exact and the entire range of digital finishing solutions and tools from Kongsberg PCS, visit www.kongsbergsystems.com.

The Creality Ender-3 V3 has officially launched. True to our coverage of the machine’s initial reveal during Creality’s “Brand Carnival” event in September of last year, the machine touts speed and stability as its primary USPs.

By leveraging a bedslinging CoreXZ motion system, Creality says the Ender-3 V3 can work as quickly as 600 mm/s, with acceleration of up to 20,000 mm/s². A metal build with “integrated” die-cast parts helps drive stability, and thus maintain the machine’s claimed speeds.

The Ender-3 V3 also arrives with automatic XZ belt tensioning, a quick-swap tri-metal nozzle, a direct extruder, and a 60 W ceramic hot end heater that is said to “fully melt ABS, PETG, and other high-temp filaments”.

Two fans on the Ender-3 V3’s print head work to quickly and efficiently cool freshly extruded material, while several automatic calibration features – “one-tap” calibration, Z offset and leveling, and an input shaping test function – aim to boost overall print quality.

Users control the machine via a 4.3-inch HD color touchscreen. It runs on the Klipper-based CrealityOS, which Creality says will be open-source “soon”. There’s no word on when “soon” is, but it’s a big announcement regardless – and one that is surprisingly quiet, taking the form of a literal footnote on the Ender-3 V3’s product page.

The Creality Ender-3 V3 is available now on Creality’s website for $389, where you can also find full specs. The first 100 units will ship “in 3 days”, with all other orders shipping by March 8.

D3, a subsidiary of the Durst Group, unveiled its Micro-Particle Jetting printing technology at Formnext 2023, demonstrating advancements in high-performance ceramics manufacturing. D3's LABII printing system allows direct printing of water-based, highly concentrated suspensions with almost any particle size and distribution. Post-sintering, complex and dense components are formed that are not currently producible using any existing method.

Stefan Waldner, Chief Product Officer of D3-AM GmbH: "Material Jetting, from a theoretical standpoint, represents the most promising technology in additive manufacturing as it enables the construction of objects drop by drop, voxel by voxel. By overcoming material compatibility restrictions, our MPJ-technology paves the way for the production of previously deemed impossible components."

Formnext witnessed substantial interest and engagement at D3's booth, leading to dynamic discussions and the initiation of multiple projects for e.g. the development of new materials, exploration of applications, sample creation, component inquiries, and specific machine inquiries. Thick-walled components and those made out of Sintered Silicon Carbide (SSiC) attracted significant attention, with experts praising D3‘s showcased gyroid structure as the "best component ever printed out of SSiC".

The success at Formnext 2023 underscores D3's commitment to advancing ceramics manufacturing, leveraging the Durst Group's expertise in digital printing and production technologies.

Christoph Gamper, CEO and co-owner of Durst Group: "With our presence at Formnext with the D3 LABII system, we are starting a new chapter at Durst: Material Jetting. The trade show has clearly shown that we are onwards in the premier class of materials - ceramics - and we look forward to scaling the printing systems, processes, and materials to open up a world of possibilities."

Known for its innovative digital die-cutting solutions, Intec Printing Solutions Limited, releases the ColorCut FB1180-T Tangential Flatbed Cutter.

ColorCut FB1180-T. Large format digital flatbed cutter for prototype and light production work.

The FB1180-T offers 2 working modes; DIRECT – using Intec’s industry acclaimed ColorCut Pro software direct from a PC or HELD mode (standalone operation) where jobs can be stored internally on the cutter or from a USB stick, so anyone can cut sheets placed on the flatbed! Simply place the flatbed at any point of a production environment, click SCAN on the 7" touch screen and run!

All Intec cutters offer instant job processing when reading a QR code and page marks printed on a sheet. However, this is no longer necessary with a fantastic new feature now included on the FB1180-T; page edge detection. Page edge detection enables processing of printed jobs, from the rear of the sheet where there are no QR codes or page merks printed - producing accurate cutting and creasing every time.

Terri Winstanley, Intec marketing manager, “The FB1180-T is a very exciting leap forward for our digital cutter range. This model is the first of a series of cutters to offer a new 4 tool head that includes tangential tools, for deeper cutting and creasing of thicker substrates. It also hosts the new high-powered controller and expanded graphics interface that will be seen on all our digital die- cutters.”

Amazing performance, ease of operation, and an affordable price make the NEW FB1180-T the leader of the pack.

Introducing the new FB1180-T B1+ tangential digital die cutter. It is precise enough for kiss cut labels yet powerful enough for flutedboards, and a diverse range of media in-between!

Sporting a new 4 tool head, the digital flatbed cutter is perfect for on demand prototype pieces and light production runs, cutting and creasing up to 3mm thick media. The new quad tool head includes 2 passive contour/drag cut and crease tools PLUS 2 active tangential tools using a new deep cutting tangential blade and tangential crease wheel. The operator just needs to select the right tools for the job in hand.

Further information

Product video: https://youtu.be/QqqgmH9qucs?feature=shared

Link to brochure: https://intecprinters.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/FB1180-T-EN-LANDSCAPE-web.pdf

Website page: https://intecprinters.com/products/digital-cutting-devices-for-print-work/digital-flatbed-cutters/colorcut-fb1180t-b1-flatbed-cutter/ 

Precise, automated and consistently high cutting quality - by meeting these requirements the laser cutting systems from the German manufacturer eurolaser have been scoring points with users worldwide for many years.

At this year's FESPA in Munich, eurolaser is presenting a new camera system for the efficient and precise processing of printed materials. The new technology increases process speed and expands processing possibilities. The camera system will be presented on the large-format laser system 3XL-3200, on which printed textiles are automatically cut live. In addition, the cutting of plastic sheets on a smaller laser system and the processing of cardboard on a Zünd cutter will be demonstrated.

Since its foundation in 1994, eurolaser has specialised in cutting non-metallic materials. These include plastics such as polyester or acrylic, wood and MDF, textiles and composites as well as many other materials. Today, the universal cutting systems are used, among other things, for cutting large-format textiles in the soft signage sector, for technical control elements made of plastic films or printed acrylic displays for shop fitting. In particular, the demand for large processing areas and automation solutions is increasing across all industries. With the new, optional camera system, called POSITIONplus professional, eurolaser picks up on this trend and offers exciting competitive advantages especially for processors in the printing industry.

Smart cutting of printed material

Many applications require precise cutting to existing fiducial marks or other material references. For this purpose, eurolaser offers a smart solution consisting of a camera and evaluation software. Using reference points, the optical recognition system allows printed materials to be cut out precisely along the print contour. The new camera technology considerably reduces the time needed to read in the fiducial marks. The entire working area is quickly captured via area scan, thus optimising the process time. In addition, this process expands the range of possible applications. For example, contours on materials can be detected, whereupon suitable cutting data is created under software control. Pattern matching is also possible. Material patterns are detected so that the positioning of the cutting data is done taking the pattern into account. Useful functions that save time and money in further processing.

Laser - powerful processing without material contact

Working without contact means more than you might imagine at first glance. No influence of force on the material, no material distortion, no clamping of the material, better material utilisation, less waste, no re-sharpening of the tool are only some of these benefits. The thermal cutting process of the laser is very advantageous in many applications. Fringe-free, slightly fused cut edges in synthetic textiles, sealed multi-layer foils or crystal-clear, smooth cut edges in acrylic are just a few examples. The laser processing is carried out with the highest precision, even very filigree details are cut exactly. Since the laser beam itself is wafer-thin (approx. 0.2-0.3 mm), even inner contours are cut radius-free, without taking the tool diameter into account. Unlike other machining processes, the laser does not become blunt over time. The quality of the cuts remains consistently high for years, from the first to the last workpiece.

Flexibility through the addition of market-proven tools

Of course, there are also machining requests that cannot be optimally implemented with the laser, such as mitre cuts or milling and V-grooves. In this case, eurolaser offers unique flexibility. Additional mechanical tools can be installed on all laser systems. For this purpose, the user has access to well designed eurolaser solutions as well as the entire high-quality tool range of Zünd Systemtechnik AG from Switzerland. For example, milling and marking tools can expand the processing possibilities. Materials that are not suitable for the laser, such as PVC, can also be processed on the same cutting system.

eurolaser will be presenting its cutting solutions at FESPA in Hall B2, Stand D16.

Massivit 3D Printing Technologies (TASE: MSVT), will unveil its Massivit 10000-G for the first time to the North American additive manufacturing market at Rapid + TCT in Chicago.  The system, that automates production for composite materials manufacturing, is designed to overcome recognised bottlenecks in mould production and to also provide a full range of large-scale custom manufacturing applications. Visitors to Booth #2924 during the Chicago event May 2-4, 2023, will see the Massivit 10000-G printing live demonstrations as well as many examples of printed components and moulds.

Erez Zimerman, CEO of Massivit, commented, “As the leading provider of large-scale additive systems, we’re thrilled to offer the North American additive manufacturing sector this opportunity to experience the new game-changing 10000-G in action. Following the launch last year of our award-winning 10000 additive system, we’ve now developed the capability to directly print industrial moulds for composites and to also create complex custom end parts all in one system – a true milestone for the manufacturing market.”

The 10000-G is the latest addition to Massivit’s Cast In Motion product line, designed to automate mould production for composite manufacturing and to provide an extensive range of applications for large-scale custom manufacturing. It enables digital production of complex moulds, mandrels, master tools, jigs, and fixtures. It significantly accelerates composite materials production by directly casting industrial moulds 80% faster than conventional processes. A variety of digital tooling processes are available on the 10000-G, including moulding for thermoforming, resin transfer moulding, and reaction injection moulding.

The company’s high-performance, epoxy-based casting material uniquely provides true isotropy for uniform strength and hardness in all directions at elevated temperatures, unlike existing additive tooling technologies currently on the market. Moulding processes for composites have traditionally relied on steel or aluminium that bear high costs, lengthy lead times, and extensive material waste.

In addition, the Massivit 10000-G offers a wide range of additive manufacturing and custom composite manufacturing applications, thanks to its integrated Gel Dispensing Printing (GDP) capabilities.

Massivit’s GDP technology, adopted across 40 countries so far, enables rapid production of full-scale end parts and functional prototypes suitable for the automotive, marine, railway, engineering, and other industries. The addition of GDP capabilities to the 10000-G system opens up the possibility of producing parts that are flame-retardant, impact-resistant, high definition, or transparent.

Massivit’s CEO concludes, “At Massivit, our objective is to automate areas of industrial production that have traditionally required time-consuming and costly skilled manual intervention. Composite manufacturing is one such area, and we have the ability through our 10000-G machine to truly disrupt the future production of composite parts and components.”

Precise, automated and consistently high cutting quality - by meeting these requirements the laser cutting systems from the German manufacturer eurolaser have been scoring points with users worldwide for many years.

At this year's FESPA in Munich, eurolaser is presenting a new camera system for the efficient and precise processing of printed materials. The new technology increases process speed and expands processing possibilities. The camera system will be presented on the large-format laser system 3XL-3200, on which printed textiles are automatically cut live. In addition, the cutting of plastic sheets on a smaller laser system and the processing of cardboard on a Zünd cutter will be demonstrated.

Since its foundation in 1994, eurolaser has specialised in cutting non-metallic materials. These include plastics such as polyester or acrylic, wood and MDF, textiles and composites as well as many other materials. Today, the universal cutting systems are used, among other things, for cutting large-format textiles in the soft signage sector, for technical control elements made of plastic films or printed acrylic displays for shop fitting. In particular, the demand for large processing areas and automation solutions is increasing across all industries. With the new, optional camera system, called POSITIONplus professional, eurolaser picks up on this trend and offers exciting competitive advantages especially for processors in the printing industry.

Smart cutting of printed material

Many applications require precise cutting to existing fiducial marks or other material references. For this purpose, eurolaser offers a smart solution consisting of a camera and evaluation software. Using reference points, the optical recognition system allows printed materials to be cut out precisely along the print contour. The new camera technology considerably reduces the time needed to read in the fiducial marks. The entire working area is quickly captured via area scan, thus optimising the process time. In addition, this process expands the range of possible applications. For example, contours on materials can be detected, whereupon suitable cutting data is created under software control. Pattern matching is also possible. Material patterns are detected so that the positioning of the cutting data is done taking the pattern into account. Useful functions that save time and money in further processing.

Laser - powerful processing without material contact

Working without contact means more than you might imagine at first glance. No influence of force on the material, no material distortion, no clamping of the material, better material utilisation, less waste, no re-sharpening of the tool are only some of these benefits. The thermal cutting process of the laser is very advantageous in many applications. Fringe-free, slightly fused cut edges in synthetic textiles, sealed multi-layer foils or crystal-clear, smooth cut edges in acrylic are just a few examples. The laser processing is carried out with the highest precision, even very filigree details are cut exactly. Since the laser beam itself is wafer-thin (approx. 0.2-0.3 mm), even inner contours are cut radius-free, without taking the tool diameter into account. Unlike other machining processes, the laser does not become blunt over time. The quality of the cuts remains consistently high for years, from the first to the last workpiece.

Flexibility through the addition of market-proven tools

Of course, there are also machining requests that cannot be optimally implemented with the laser, such as mitre cuts or milling and V-grooves. In this case, eurolaser offers unique flexibility. Additional mechanical tools can be installed on all laser systems. For this purpose, the user has access to well designed eurolaser solutions as well as the entire high-quality tool range of Zünd Systemtechnik AG from Switzerland. For example, milling and marking tools can expand the processing possibilities. Materials that are not suitable for the laser, such as PVC, can also be processed on the same cutting system.
eurolaser will be presenting its cutting solutions at FESPA in Hall B2, Stand D16.

Roland DG Corporation, a leading manufacturer of wide format inkjet printers and 3D devices, has launched the MPX-90S, the newest addition to the VersaSTUDIO MPX series of metal printers.

Massivit 3D Printing Technologies Ltd., a leading provider of large-scale 3D printing systems, has announced the launch of the Massivit 10000 additive manufacturing tooling system to be unveiled at the upcoming JEC World 2022 event in Paris from May 3-5.

Visitors to JEC World can reserve a live demonstration of the Massivit 10000 and see a range of moulds and parts at the Massivit 3D stand (Hall 5, M46).

The event will also provide an opportunity to secure limited-time pre-orders of the Massivit 10000. A press conference will be held at the Massivit 3D stand on Tuesday, May 3rd at 3 PM.

Designed to overcome recognised tooling bottlenecks in composites manufacturing, the Massivit 10000 automates and shortens conventional composites tooling processes that are slow, costly, wasteful, and heavily reliant on manual skilled labor.

The 10000 leverages the company’s new Cast-In-Motion technology that enables complex molds, masters, mandrels, and prototypes to be directly 3D printed. It provides geometry freedom for highly efficient designs as well as digital accuracy. The technology is designed to serve a range of industries including marine, rail, automotive, defence, and aerospace as well as sporting goods, bath ware, and furniture.

The Massivit 10000 additive tooling system was selected as winner of the prestigious ACE Award for Composites Excellence by the American Composites Manufacturers Association at the CAMX 2021 event in Dallas, TX. 17 pre-orders have been made to date – two of which include beta agreements with Israel-based company Kanfit (manufacturers of composite material parts for key players in the global aviation market) and US-based company Lyons (specialists in luxury bath ware). Massivit 3D will deliver Massivit 10000 systems to customers starting in H2, 2022.

Massivit 3D’s Cast-In-Motion technology enables composites fabricators to shorten their tooling workflows from the traditional 19 steps down to 4 steps. It eliminates the need to produce an initial plug or master by directly printing and casting the mould using ultra-fast additive manufacturing combined with industrial-grade casting materials. This cutting edge process shortens tooling time by 80% and offers a myriad of business benefits including a reduction of manual labor, a 90% decrease in labor-associated costs, a reduction of associated inventory and transportation, and a significant decrease in waste of expensive materials.

The Massivit 10000 brings to market the first 3D printed isotropic mould for composites manufacturing. As opposed to existing thermoplastic additive tooling systems, the Massivit 10000 utilises high-performance thermoset-based materials to produce a single, uniform cast that results in a true isotropic mould. In addition, it provides moulders with casting materials that have highly predictable mechanical and thermal properties, a low Coefficient of Thermal Expansion, and a high Heat Deflection Temperature.

Massivit 3D’s CEO, Erez Zimerman, stated “We eagerly await this momentous occasion, marking a significant company milestone and injecting innovation into the composites manufacturing market. The composites tooling arena has long been held back by antiquated processes and technologies. It’s high time to facilitate digital transformation in this market and we are proud to bring the relevant knowhow, expertise, and innovation to the table for that purpose.”

The company’s second-generation technology, Cast-In-Motion, is based on its successful Gel Dispensing Printing technology that has provided a new league of high-speed, large-scale 3D printing to customers across more than 40 countries.

The most intelligent laser engraver just got smarter with Trotec’s new Vision Design &  Position vision positioning camera. The new 12 megapixel patent-pending lid camera further speeds workflow by delivering a live image of the work area to the operating PC in real time.

A full colour and detailed image of the laser bed and workpiece is displayed within Trotec’s proprietary Ruby® software, allowing the laser operator to position the artwork file exactly where they’d like it to be cut or engraved, and to see a visual representation of how it will look before the job is started. This new feature eliminates the need for manual positioning of the laser pointer and saving graphic position data to the software, making laser job setup faster and easier than ever.

Virtual graphic design and job positioning in Ruby

The cleverly integrated camera on the lid of the laser delivers a live image of the work area to the Ruby laser software in a matter of seconds. It does not matter whether the lid of the laser is closed or open. The graphic is then placed on the workpiece in Ruby at the same scale. In this way, text can be set, a graphic can be designed or an existing job can be aligned directly on the workpiece, e.g. on a gift item or a cell phone, live in Ruby.

This patent-pending feature helps the laser user ensure that the job to be processed is where you want it to be the first time, even if it is a 3D object. There is no longer any need for time-consuming measuring of workpieces , residual materials and objects.

Increase productivity. Save costs

The user no longer has to switch between laser engraver and software or take the cumbersome route via graphics software with printer driver. The job to be executed can be changed directly on the live image in Ruby.

troteclaser.com

Printer can fabricate parts with the accuracy and strength required for industrial use

 

SYDNEY, 8 March 2022 – Epson has developed an industrial 3D printer that can use commonly available third-party materials to produce strong, accurate industrial parts of various sizes and functions. 3D printers with these features will have uses in a far wider range of applications, including in the production of parts for final products, and will enable users to mass-customise their goods in support of small-batch production.

 

 

3D printers can be used to fabricate a wide variety of goods in small quantities in a short period of time. Manufacturers have responded to this promise by accelerating the development and launch of 3D printers for the industrial market, which is expected to expand rapidly in the future. However, conventional industrial 3D printers require the use of special modelling materials. Moreover, they are not well-suited to the production of objects that offer both strength and accuracy, so their use in industrial parts for final products has been limited.

 

 

Epson’s newly developed 3D printer employs a unique material extrusion method that is achieved using a flat screw (an inline screw with a flattened configuration) like that found in Epson’s precision injection molding machines. This extrusion method enables the printer to be used with a variety of common third-party materials, such as resin or metal pellets, which are generally available at lower cost than other materials, environmentally considerate biomass pellets, and PEEK materials, which can provide high heat resistance.

 

In addition, the amount of material injected is precisely controlled by regulating the pressure within the head and by regulating the action of a valve in concert with the modelling speed. The temperature at the surface of a piece being printed must also be controlled in order to obtain the required strength.

 

Epson employs a unique mechanism to precisely control this temperature and achieve both strength and accuracy. This 3D printer is thus engineered to manufacture strong, accurate objects with commonly available materials, facilitating printer use in the production of industrial parts for final products. It is ideally suited to mass customisation, as it can produce small batches of parts tailored to customers’ needs with higher quality, shorter lead times, and at a fraction of the cost of traditional manufacturing processes.

 

Epson is aiming to commercialise the printer after first making needed refinements while utilising it internally to volume-produce certain parts for commercial and industrial equipment.

 

This 3D printer will be shown in the Epson booth at International Robot Exhibition 2022, which opens on March 9th at Tokyo Big Sight.

 

In addition to industrial 3D printers, Epson seeks to innovate manufacturing by co-creating flexible, high-throughput production systems that reduce environmental impacts.

A high-tech product is never finite and if you want to play in the highest echelons, you have to be up to speed, follow the markets closely and, above all, be innovative and flexible.

Since Summa embraced laser technology, the company continued to develop the laser portfolio to meet the highest industry standards for the (technical) textile, sportswear and apparel industries. Summa is, therefore, proud to present the L1810 2nd generation laser cutter and its new software GoProduce Laser Edition.

The new L1810 2nd generation is the first laser cutter fully developed by Summa. It combines the know-how and years of experience by Summa’s laser division in the UK with the experience Summa has in producing on a larger scale. The new GoProduce software perfectly complements the L1810 2nd generation and results into a powerful laser cutting solution. The software includes several smart, easy-to-use options and features to establish a fully automated workflow where operator comfort is key.

Industrial design with firm construction

The L1810 2nd generation laser cutter combines industrial design with an excellent laser source, optimal power control, an efficient feeding system and an improved scanning system. All of which results in a top-notch high performing laser cutter.

Benefits of the new L1810 laser cutter are:

• Optimal power control through Summa OptiPower Technology (OPT), which keeps the laser-focused and precise, even in larger working areas for a longer time.
• Consistent precision and quality thanks to the small, extremely focused laser beam leaving edges sealed and soft without fraying.
• High productivity thanks to quick acceleration and working methods such as cut-on-the-fly. The increased production capacity even enables businesses to process rush jobs, as well as bulk orders and peak production assignments.
• Optimal safety thanks to Class 1 safety system and top-notch extraction system.
• Far-stretched stability thanks to the industrialized welded steel base, enhancing accuracy, easier placement and maintenance.
• Future-proof with multiple field upgradeable (retrofit) options enabling the cutting equipment to grow with the business.
• Enhanced Vision system with scanner bridge, enabling the machine to cut while the material is being scanned and fed (cut on the fly).
• Powerful and intuitive software with GoProduce laser edition from Summa. It includes many smart functionalities and has been developed to handle jobs easy, efficiently and robust whilst optimally using material.

Future-proof laser cutting solution

The robust construction, field upgradable options and software makes the L1810 2nd generation laser cutter a true future-proof working horse that thrives even in the most demanding, high-volume production environments. The L1810 2nd generation is built according to strict safety requirements, specific to Summa laser equipment. Designed with premium components for long durability and in such a way that the installation of these parts remains straightforward.

Christof Van Driessche, Chief Commercial Officer at Summa, adds: “With the experience and dedication on board, Summa continues to show true leadership as a supplier of high-end cutting solutions. The introduction of the 2nd generation L1810 laser cutter is once more a milestone in Summa’s large history of legendary performance. This 2nd generation sturdy workhorse will undoubtedly bring great performance and pleasure to many businesses, active in the textile, apparel and sportswear industries.”

The L1810 2nd generation is available for orders in Europe and the GoProduce Laser Edition software will be available on www.summa.com in March. In the US and Asia-Pacific regions, the launches follow in May.

Xaar’s printheads have again been selected by industrial 3D printing manufacturer dp polar GmbH to power the latest addition to their range, the AMpolar i1, which is to be unveiled at this year’s Formnext Show in Frankfurt, on 16-19th November.

The new compact AMpolar i1 will be on display in Hall 12.1, stand E39 and visitors will be able to see how dp polar’s patented Additive Mass Manufacturing process uses Xaar 1003 printheads to jet parts at volume and deliver 3D printing on a truly industrial scale.

dp polar designs, develops and delivers industrial 3D printing systems and solutions for the automotive, aerospace, mechanical engineering, and consumer industries, and has worked with Xaar in the use of its printheads over a number of years.

The AMpolar i1 harnesses dp polar’s patented, highly productive single- pass printing process, enabling build volumes of up to 240 litres across its innovative continuously rotating print platform, with a build area of just under one square meter (10.3ft2). Layers of between 4-25µm can be put down, achieving resolutions of up to 720 x 720 x 5.000dpi.

This combination of scalability, productivity and agility achieves an output that traditionally would have required multiple conventional 3D machines, and significantly more capital investment.

The AMpolar i1 utilises the Xaar 1003, part of Xaar’s extensive printhead portfolio, which is proving invaluable in the industrialisation of 3D printing. The combination of speed, reliability, and capacity to jet a variety of fluids at increasingly high viscosities, enables jetting of fluids up to 100 centipoises (cP) in a single pass. Xaar’s Ultra High Viscosity Technology is key to realising this capability, opening access to an exciting range of new applications.

Florian Loebermann, dp polar’s Managing Director said; “The AMpolar i1 delivers all the production benefits of the AMpolar i2, but at a scale and in a format that facilitates businesses in their early stages of exploring what is possible in mass production 3D printing.

“Xaar’s printheads have proved invaluable in unlocking the full potential of our systems, and the openness of the Xaar team to support our innovations is helping to establish 3D printing and Additive Mass Manufacturing as a practical reality in the volume production of parts for many industries.”

Gareth Neal, Xaar’s Customer Applications Manager, Advanced Applications, Technologies & Fluids added; “The innovative and agile AMpolar i1, firmly establishes the use of resin jetting as a truly practical and commercially viable manufacturing process.

“With Xaar’s range of printheads including our unique Ultra High Viscosity Technology providing the speed, flexibility and reliability demanded, functional inkjet applications have never been more accessible, affordable or productive.”

Rayjet Laser, a division of Trotec Laser, is pleased to announce the addition of the R400 laser cutting and engraving machine to its R Series product line. Now also available for online purchase, the R400 features an ergonomic working area, sophisticated and intuitive workflow software, and the industry’s highest safety standards – providing the industry with a reliable, user-friendly, cost-effective, and locally supported solution for cutting and engraving a broad range of materials.

Designed to comply with stringent production standards and European manufacturing and design principles, the R400 joins the R500 as the only laser safety class 2 systems in their price range—meaning that R Series lasers meet U.S. manufacturing safety requirements for use in public spaces, and do not require operators to wear protective gear such as safety goggles. R Series lasers, which are also CE certified, include safety features such as a double interlock system and a safety kill-switch.

The R400 system features an open, ergonomic design with a 40.5 x 24.8 inch bed size that fits most standard material sheet sizes, and up to 100 Watts DC of laser power, allowing you to easily and efficiently cut and engrave a wide range of materials such as plastics, paper, textiles, acrylics, wood and many more materials. The included Rayjet Manager workflow software provides easy, step-by-step instructions with logical and intuitive functions, allowing you to make a fast transition from job layout to final product.

To accommodate the different needs and preferences of a diverse customer base, R Series lasers are now also available for online purchase though the company’s new Engraver’s Network website at: engraversnetwork.com.

“With R Series lasers, you really get the best of both worlds,” says Warren Knipple, President at Trotec Laser. “They are simple to use, yet you can produce highly sophisticated and precise designs. They are cost-effective but still meet the most stringent standards for safety, design and manufacturing. And to make things even easier, you can choose to buy them online, or you can consult a local representative to assist you with your purchase,” Knipple says.

troteclaser.com

With PreCut Center, Zünd has launched software that facilitates cut-file preparation for applications involving unprinted materials. With PreCut Center, fully nested cut files can be prepared in a few simple steps. The software significantly reduces the workload in file preparation, generates optimal material yield, and eliminates the potential for error.

Zünd's new software solution creates a simple and highly efficient workflow for generating cut files for unprinted materials. PreCut Center simplifies file preparation and output and lets the user select a level of automation based on individual production requirements. All it takes is a few simple steps to create a fully nested file. Whether users prefer a manual or automated process, the software allows for selecting the workflow that makes the most sense for a given production scenario.

After importing the desired shapes into Zünd PreCut Center - ZPC, the user assigns them to the corresponding recipes. Recipes are basically road maps for creating cut paths based on specific parameters. The recipes can be imported or created as needed by the user. The next step entails defining materials and material parameters. The shapes are subsequently nested on the unprinted material. This process results in optimal material yield with minimal waste and reduced production time. In addition, PreCut Center - ZPC also lets the user integrate selected metadata. Information printed with each job facilitates job tracking and, once the cutting is complete, enables quick and accurate attribution of cut parts to corresponding orders.

PreCut Center is available in two versions, Basic and Pro. Users can select the version and associated features according to their needs. Zünd PreCut Centre's open architecture permits importing cut shapes and data from multiple sources. PreCut Center Pro provides fully automated nesting capabilities at the push of a button and lets users individually edit nested layouts and cut paths. In the last step, Zünd PreCut Center generates a cut file in .zcc format and makes it available for subsequent import into Zünd Cut Center - ZCC. An option also exists for outputting files in .dxf format.

Trotec Laser has announced the official launch of its Ruby laser software and the new Speedy 400 Run on Ruby — combining the most intelligent laser software on the market with the industry’s fastest laser machine, and making the work of every laser user faster and easier than ever.

Laser software redefined
Ruby software – whether it’s used with the new Speedy 400 Run on Ruby or a different Speedy laser — includes all the graphics tools that laser users need. You can create graphic, photo and text elements and make adjustments quickly with the integrated workflow. It also allows the direct import of files such as pdf, svg, png, ai, and more. The complicated process of printing out the laser job from the graphics program is no longer necessary.

Ruby connects all laser machines in one network, locally or remotely. In this way, jobs can be distributed from multiple PCs or Macs to multiple machines. Thanks to the innovative workflow, jobs can be prepared by one user and produced by another, anytime and anywhere, whether in the office, at home or in the workshop.

Ruby and Speedy 400 become one
Ruby – the most intelligent laser software and Speedy 400 – the industry’s fastest laser engraver – have become one. The Speedy 400 Run on Ruby includes a touch panel on the machine that makes it possible to operate the laser in the network via Ethernet or WiFi without an additional PC.

Warren Knipple, President of Trotec Laser, Inc., says that Ruby laser software will offer unprecedented added value for engravers, print shops, manufacturers and schools.

“The Ruby software is revolutionary because it offers a complete and easy-to-use integrated workflow that accompanies the user from idea to the finished product,” Knipple says. “Ruby offers connected working, direct imports, and eliminates the need to purchase additional design software – which are options that have been in demand for a while. These functionalities can cut time from idea to finished product in half.”

troteclaser.com

Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems (Kongsberg PCS) has today announced the expansion of its C Series range of digital finishing tables with the launch of the compact new C20 – the smallest high-speed production table on the market.

Kongsberg_C20The new Kongsberg C20 packs all the professional features of the market-leading Kongsberg C Series – renowned for being the most productive cutting tables available - into a compact size of just 1.6m x 1.4m. While the C20 is the smallest in the Kongsberg C Series range, it retains all the same professional features and specifications as its bigger counterparts.

“We know that industrial manufacturers, as well as small sign shops, require a high-speed cutting table to keep up with the manufacturing process, but floorspace comes at a premium,” said Stuart Fox, President, Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems. “The high cost of owning or renting space is a serious problem for many in the sign and display market. With the new Kongsberg C20, there is no longer any need for those businesses to compromise on production and quality due to a lack of available space.”

State-of-the-art, rock-solid engineering ensures the Kongsberg C Series delivers the highest levels of performance. The cutting table utilizes aerospace technology, combining an aluminium composite tabletop, a rack and pinion drive system and dynamic table mapping, which together deliver the greatest cutting accuracy and consistency. Multiple tool combinations are available during production, and the tooling system includes a material thickness probe and an optional camera for registering printed and un-printed material.

“As with our entire C Series range, Kongsberg high performance tooling has been specifically developed to further increase throughput and quality for users,” added Stuart. “The Kongsberg C20 is an investment that will help drive the owner’s creativity and production to new levels.

“Achieving optimum performance from a significantly smaller footprint is a real game-changer for the sign and display market.”

For more on the Kongsberg C Series range, visit www.kongsbergsystems.com

Trotec Laser Pty Ltd has recently expanded its very popular range of TroGlass laserable acrylics to include TroGlitter Chunky Glitter acrylic.
 
Available in 14 different colours and at 3mm and 4mm, this Chunky Glitter cast acrylic provides exciting opportunities for creative minds and designers to explore many different and interesting new visual effects and can be used for a variety of applications including jewellery, signage, decorative items and point-of-purchase displays, to name a few.
 
Like all TroGlass products, TroGlitter Chunky Glitter acrylic comes standard with a plastic laserable mask. This feature protects the acrylic from scratching, which reduces scrap and rework, and improves processing results. These products require little or no post-processing and depending on the laser settings, laser engraving the material surface can result in a prominent or subtle engraved image.
 
Reece Moore, managing director of Trotec Laser Pty Ltd, says that the new products were added to the product portfolio with the company's driving mission in mind: To make customers more profitable.
"Our growing range of laser and rotary materials allows us to provide our customers with new opportunities to broaden product offerings, meet a wider range of application needs, and get the most out of a laser investment," Moore says. "When we can empower our customers to grow business and increase profits, everyone wins."
 
Find more information on our materials product line on our website at: www.engraving-supplies.com.au.

The AXYZ Infinite has been described by AAG as the most versatile and configurable routing/cutting solution currently available. Key design features include the now familiar solid steel frame construction to withstand the most vigorous machine operation likely to be encountered and an aluminium t-slot vacuum material hold-down bed. These have been supplemented with a new carriage design that enables easier access for routine maintenance and servicing and the installation of machine upgrades, an ultra-efficient dust extraction unit for enhanced machine performance and a new misting system for more efficient machine cooling and lubrication during the routing/cutting process.

Infinite can be configured with a choice of single, dual or triple routing/cutting heads to accommodate different applications. It is available in a choice of models and incorporates an expandable processing bed area of up to 3,251mm in width by an impressive 15.24m in length to accommodate any material processing requirement.

The recently launched smaller-format AXYZ Innovator provides many of the attributes of much larger machines in its class and is ideal for installation in workshops where available space might be at a premium. It incorporates the same robust solid steel construction as Infinite and is available in two standard sizes (1.2 x 1.2m and 1.5 x 2.4m), with a gantry clearance of 152mm. Innovator features, as standard, the latest AXYZ rack and pinion drive system with integrated servomotors and A2MC machine control system for faster and smoother machine operation. Significantly, for the first time on any small-format machine, Innovator has an optional three-station ATC (Automatic Tool Change) system to allow continuous processing of material requiring different tools without operator intervention. The ATC system also incorporates a protective cover to prevent the ingress of dust, dirt and other environmental pollutants.

Other optional machine enhancements include the latest AVS (AXYZ Vision System) for optimum routing/cutting accuracy and special cooling/lubricating and dust collection systems for improved machine performance and reliability.

Belying its small format, Innovator will process virtually any material normally suited to much larger and more expensive machines.

Summa is proud to announce a range of improvements on its renowned F Series flatbed cutters.

The flatbed cutters have been one of the most versatile products in Summa's range for many years. By improving the range, Summa brings its standard to the next level when it comes to quality, reliability and productivity. Summa is excited to present a new size of flatbed cutter, an enhanced safety system and its GoProduce software. These updates will contribute to an even better alignment of the F Series to realise present and future customer projects.

Meet the F1432: New size, new opportunities

The new F1432 flatbed cutter, available in December, accommodates users in the sense that it opens the possibility to process popular 137 cm/54" roll widths more efficiently. Moreover, the increased working length gives a sufficient margin to easily cut 3m/10ft jobs. For many businesses, this size represents the ideal interim solution between the F1612 and F1832 size.

Elice van Es, Summa’s Marketing and Communication Manager explains: “We are seeing a great fit in the market for our new F1432 flatbed cutter. The F Series flatbed cutters are appreciated for their versatility and performance and this new size underlines our philosophy. Thanks to the great number of applications that can be cut, we are convinced this flatbed cutter will benefit many customers’ businesses.”

Integrated Safety System for a safe and accessible work environment

Another major update on the F Series is the integration of a Safety System on all F Series models. The new system complies to worldwide health and safety requirements and thus represents Summa’s new standard in making the F Series operator’s work environment safer than ever. It features multiple sensors that can quickly detect human movement close to the machine. With the system’s convenient location on the top beam, the flatbed can now be accessed easily and safely. This in contrast to the former safety poles that are no longer needed.

Automatic Depth Control on the left side 

The ADC feature on the F Series automatically sets the knife depth and the orientation of the knife/tool. The tip of the knife/tool is measured accurately and the down position of the tool is set to the flatbed’s level, guaranteeing a flawless cut at all times. This feature was already included for the right slots of the flatbed’s cutting head and proved its practicality. Now, Summa also makes ADC left standard available for all F Series models, which is the next step in efficiency enhancement of the Summa F Series. 

GoProduce 2.0 software to perfectly match the F Series hardware

Along with the F Series enhancements related to hardware, it is the software that enables the operator to make good use of the machine’s functionalities. Therefore, Summa continues to develop its GoProduce software and now presents GoProduce 2.0. It is standard delivered with each new F Series and offers various new functionalities. While the standard integrated software includes many functionalities already, new is the availability of a Pro Pack. This Pro Pack is a one-time purchase and offers even more functionality to the F Series operator who wants to maximise his cutting workflow possibilities.

Elice van Es concludes: “Constantly listening to the market and analysing the needs of our customers is an important basis for us in the development of new products. We also believe that hardware and software should always be in harmony enabling us to offer users a complete solution and deliver true ease of use. Ready to create innovative and striking applications and tap into new markets. This is exactly what makes the Summa F Series so unique. The Series grows at the customer’s pace and needs alongside with evolutions in the industry.”