Zünd UK will be exhibiting at Packaging Innovations (February 25th and 26th 2015) with an emphasis on user-friendly automation.

Taking place at Birmingham's NEC, Packaging Innovations 2015 will feature dedicated Ecopack and Contract Pack areas and will be co-located with Empack and Label&Print, bringing together over 350 exhibitors from throughout the packaging industry.

Zünd UK will return to the show with a range of Swiss-engineered digital cutting equipment, designed for efficiency and flexibility; each modular cutting machine is built based on the needs of each unique customer and can evolve as requirements change.

Automation will be the watchword for Zünd UK's stand for Packaging Innovations this year. On display will be a Zünd S3 M-800 (1330mm x 800mm) digital cutter with an automatic sheet feeder, enabling automated loading and unloading of sheet materials directly onto the bed of the machine. A camera system makes print-to-cut registration of printed boards easy, compensating for position and rotation. Using a QR code printed on each sheet, the Zünd Cut Centre software automatically opens the correct job once it has been loaded onto the machine, providing unattended production.

"Packaging Innovations is a great place to see new packaging ideas, designs and applications – and how Zünd equipment can be used to achieve them faster and more efficiently," says Peter Giddings, Sales Director, Zünd Plotting Systems (UK) Ltd.

"The Zünd S3 M-800 is designed with ease of use in mind, with automation built in across the board, making it ideal for design houses specialising in packaging prototypes. We're looking forward to discussing how it could be used for a range of designs with visitors to our stand."

Experts from Zünd UK will be available to demonstrate the S3 M-800 with packaging applications and to advise on the full range of Zünd cutting equipment, used in a variety of industries including packaging, sign and display, aerospace, automotive and specialist composites.

For further information or to book a meeting at Packaging Innovations 2015, please email sales@zund.co.uk or call 01727 833003.

Kettering-based print specialist i-Sub Digital will be demonstrating its exclusive Digi-Foil digital foiling system for printing onto a wide range of packaging materials and the Mimaki Kebab for direct printing onto cylindrical items. The speed and ingenuity of the systems attracted a great deal of interest at packaging, sign and display and trophy industry events throughout 2014.

Digi-Foil combines a desktop Mimaki UJF-3042HG or UJF-6042 Series UV printer with a heated applicator to create foil effects in minutes, giving a traditional appearance but without the time and cost necessary for preparing dies and foil presses. A wide choice of effects is achievable in a very short time frame – from metallics to embossed patterns and high-resolution printed graphics. As separate modules the UJF UV inkjet printer offers an all-in-one printing solution, whilst Digi-Foil is ideal for the creation of detailed and accurate packaging mock-ups and promotional products.

The Kebab is an optional attachment for the Mimaki UJF-3042HG and UJF-6042 printer that achieves seamless 360-degree surface printing onto cylindrical objects up to 330mm in length and between 10mm and 110mm in diameter. Suitable for packaging, wine bottles, candles, water flasks and more, the Kebab gives extra value from the Mimaki desktop units by enabling 3D prototypes and one-off personalisation.

"The Digi-Foil and Kebab systems always attract a 'wow' from visitors," says i-Sub Digital Director Andy Spreag. "Being able to see such high-quality results so quickly tends to spark people's imaginations and get them thinking about what else they can produce.

"Being surrounded by such a wealth of innovative equipment at Packaging Innovations – such as the digital cutting systems being shown by our stand partners Zünd UK – means visitors will be sure to leave the event with great packaging ideas."

Zünd UK will be running demonstrations of the Zünd S3 M-800 (1330mm x 800mm) digital cutter with an automatic sheet feeder and camera system to enable fast, automated cutting. The Zünd Cut Centre software installed on the system opens the correct job once it has been loaded onto the machine automatically, for unattended production.

Packaging Innovations 2015, featuring over 350 exhibitors, will take place at Birmingham's NEC on February 25th and 26th 2015, combining Ecopack and Contract Pack areas with the co-located shows Empack and Label&Print. Zünd UK and i-Sub Digital will be available for demonstrations and advice on stand H18.

For further information on Mimaki UJF-3042HG or UJF-6042 Series UV, Digi-Foil or the Kebab from i-Sub Digital or to book a demonstration, please email info@i-subdigital.com or call 01536 415511.

Zünd UK will be demonstrating how its digital cutting systems can be used as part of a fast, efficient printing workflow at Sign and Digital UK (March 24th to 26th 2015).

As a guest on the stands of its authorised distributors i-Sub Digital (E10), Canon (G10) and CMYUK (H10) at the forthcoming show, Zünd UK will showcase the Zünd G3 XL3200CV, Zünd G3 L3200CV and Zünd S3 L1200CVE12 digital cutting tables.

Each Zünd machine is constructed with a modular design to enable a configuration to exactly meet every end-user's needs, with a range of tools available for installation at the time of delivery or retrospectively. At Sign and Digital UK, Zünd UK will demonstrate the three machines as part of typical wide-format print workflows, with the full compliment of tools and software.

"Sign and Digital UK is the must-visit event for the sign and display sector and we're looking forward to seeing the new wide-format print equipment on show – and how Zünd digital cutting technology can help them reach maximum potential," says Peter Giddings, Sales Director, Zünd Plotting Systems (UK) Ltd.

"We're delighted to be joining Canon, CYMUK and i-Sub Digital in welcoming visitors from across the industry to their stands."

Experts from Zünd UK will be available to advise on the full range of Zünd cutting equipment and answer any questions. For further information or to book a meeting at Sign and Digital UK 2015, please email sales@zund.co.uk or call +44 (0)1727 833003.

Internationally recognised architecture and design practice Foster + Partners has purchased a Zünd G3-M2500 digital cutter to be used for the production of design models.

Founded in 1967, Foster + Partners has received more than 620 awards for excellence and won over 100 national and international competitions for its architecture and integrated design work. Its projects include the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, the Great Glass House at the National Botanic Garden of Wales, the Thames Hub in London and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, making it a practice world renowned for its innovation.

Foster + Partners will install the Zünd G3-M2500 digital cutter at its London studio in mid-March, having first seen the machine at Zünd's St Albans demonstration suite in 2011. The Zünd G3-M2500 was chosen by the practice, as it was familiar to many architects. The Zünd's fixed blade will initially be used to cut card and foamboard for design models, and the router will then be used to cut denser materials.

Like all of Zünd UK's cutting equipment, the G3 range is designed with a modular construction to enable evolution as the end user grows, explores new sectors and adopts new materials. It is engineered for efficient and accurate 24-7 operation on materials up to 50mm thick, with industry-leading safety features and an integrated variable vacuum system to minimise energy consumption.

"Foster + Partners has an international reputation for creating outstanding designs. To do this it needs high-quality, accurate and reliable equipment," says Peter Giddings, Sales Director, Zünd Plotting Systems (UK) Ltd.

"The Zünd G3 will be used to create models for what may well become iconic designs in the future; we're very much looking forward to seeing them and proud to be part of that process."

The Zünd portfolio is used by businesses throughout British industry, from architectural design, packaging and display graphics, to leather and textiles, to aerospace and motorsport.

Zünd UK will be showcasing its digital cutting equipment at a number of trade shows this year, including Packaging Innovations, Sign and Digital UK and the Composites Engineering Show. For further information, to organise a meeting or to book a visit to Zünd UK's recently renovated demonstration suite, please email sales@zund.co.uk or call 01727 833003.

Bespoke packaging specialist GWP has purchased a Zünd G3 L2500CVE12 digital cutting system to support product development.

Founded in 1990, GWP initially produced conventional corrugated fibreboard products and has grown over the past 25 years into a multi-site operation specialising in the transit protection of fragile high-value products in the aerospace, defence and automotive industries. GWP records a turnover in excess of £10 million per annum and employs 100 members of staff.

The company visited Zünd UK's dedicated demonstration suite in St Albans to view the G3 digital cutting system. The unit now installed at its Clicklade, Wiltshire plant, however, has been built specifically to meet GWP's needs; thanks to their modular design, all Zünd UK systems can be configured with only the tools required by the individual end user but are easily retrofitted and expanded in line with changing business needs.

GWP selected the Zünd G3 L2500CVE12, featuring a 1800mm x 2500mm working area and fitted with the appropriate tooling to cut and crease corrugated board and to finish 50mm foam. The machine is driven by the Zünd Cut Centre front end software which allows integration with GWP's existing CAD system.

"The Zünd machine has been purchased to support our drive for new product development and will help to produce prototypes across a broad range of materials, including corrugated board, high and low density foams and fluted polypropylene," explains David Pedley, CEO of GWP Group. "It complements nicely the other rapid prototyping equipment we have including three axis routers, water jet and laser cutters."

David Pedley states that GWP will be prototyping and producing products for a number of blue chip clients in the aerospace and defence and automotive sectors, including BAE Systems, Chemring, Honda, Nissan and Toyota.

He adds: "We chose Zünd because of the high quality and versatility of the machine. It has a very user-friendly interface. I was impressed with the service support facilities in the UK and ready supply of accessories and spare parts."

Peter Giddings, Sales Director at Zünd Plotting Systems (UK) Ltd, comments: "The new Zünd G3 will be an excellent addition to the other prototyping technology used by GWP's product design team. It has been designed for efficiency, speed and ease of use, making it ideal for realising ideas to create new designs and products."

Zünd UK digital cutting systems are used by businesses throughout British industry, from the aerospace and automotive sectors to packaging, architectural design, signage and textiles. Zünd UK will be exhibiting at events including Packaging Innovations, Sign and Digital UK and the Composites Engineering Show in 2015. For further information, to organise a meeting or to book a visit to Zünd UK's recently renovated St Albans demonstration suite, please email sales@zund.co.uk or call 01727 833003.

Zünd Systemtechnik is pleased to present the latest innovative, fully automated cutting systems for screen, digital, and textile print professionals at Fespa 2015, in Cologne, Germany, May 18-22, booth M-20/Hall 

Zünd introduces robotic off-load system
Zünds focus at Fespa in Cologne is on demonstrating to print service providers how they can increase productivity while decreasing labour costs. New automation solutions for Zünds widely used modular cutters are designed to optimise finishing throughput. One of the highlights of Zünd's exhibit is the state-of-the-art robotic off-load option. Working in conjunction with a Zünd S3 M-800, the robot picks and sorts cut parts. The robot is designed to function autonomously in production environments where human operators and advanced technology work together to achieve maximum productivity.

New: Automatic Router Tool Changer - ARC automates bit changes
With the new automatic tool changer - ARC, Zünd is introducing an automation solution that increases the efficiency of Zünd G3 cutters by significantly reducing setup times for routing applications. With the ARC system, the user has at his/her disposal a carousel in which up to eight different bits can be freely combined for processing. The system automatically selects the correct router bit for the job and material at hand, guaranteeing optimal results. This eliminates the potential for operator errors in higher-volume routing applications involving aluminium, wood, plastics, and composite materials.

Automation solutions for every application
Another step towards total automation with Zünd cutting systems is file retrieval via QR-Code. Once the material is fed onto the cutting surface, the ICC camera captures the QR-code embedded in the printed job, and Zünd Cut Center ZCC immediately retrieves the corresponding cut file. Before processing begins, the system automatically determines the location and orientation of the graphics and, if necessary, compensates for any distortions in print or material.

The highly successful Zünd G3 3XL-1600 cutter is particularly well suited for wide-format finishing applications. This high-performance cutter model is ideal for cutting vinyl and other rolled materials up to 3.21 m (10 ft.) wide. The center-winder roll-off with integrated dancer system guarantees optimal tension control that allows for wrinkle- and distortion-free cutting of textiles.

NEW: Zünd S3 cutter with 1kW router option
With the new RM-S router module, Zünd is introducing a high-performance 1kW routing tool specifically designed for the S3 series. The new tool is capable of cutting materials such as acrylics and rigid foamcore up to a thickness of 25 mm (1 in).

NEW: Electric oscillating tool - EOT-250
Zünds electric oscillating tool - EOT-250 is a high-performance tool developed for cutting thick cardboard/honeycomb materials. This tool is air-cooled, oscillates at very high frequencies, and has an extended, 2.5 mm stroke. These characteristics make this the only tool capable of processing 16 mm corrugated sandwich board at speeds up to 1000 mm (40 in) per second. The concept behind all Zünd tooling is unique in its focus on modularity; Zünd tooling can be expanded or upgraded quickly and easily at any time to meet changing demands.

Zünd UK received an order for a digital cutting system on the very first morning of Sign and Digital UK, which took place at Birmingham's NEC last month.

Vehicle wrapping and display specialist Raccoon made enquiries about upgrading to the Zünd G3 3XL1600CVE16 digital cutting table prior to the show, with Managing Director Richard Clark seeing it in action at Zünd UK's St Albans demonstration suite. Members of the Raccoon team then attended the first morning of Sign and Digital UK before placing an official order.

The Zünd G3 3XL1600CVE16, measuring 3200mm wide x 1600mm long, will be installed at Raccoon's Edenbridge, Kent premises with PackZ software and all the tools unique to the user's needs. Thanks to the modular construction of Zünd cutting equipment, tools can be changed easily and the machine's capabilities extended to cater for new applications.

While the company may be known to Sign UK visitors for having won the prestigious Sign and Digital UK Awards Vehicle Project of the Year title in 2011 for its innovative X-ray-effect wrapped Mini, Raccoon will use the Zünd G3 to deliver a wealth of applications to its clients beside vehicle graphics.

"Upgrading to a newer Zünd cutter will not only give us more capacity, it will give us more flexibility in what we produce," says Richard Clark, Managing Director of Raccoon. "We needed a machine that's productive and easy to use and, particularly, makes it easy to switch between materials, for instance from rigid to softer substrates.

"We're looking especially at offering more three-dimensional displays for use as POS and exhibition graphics so chose the Zünd G3 for its V-cut tooling for use with substrates like Dibond. We'll be doing some very clever construction."

Raccoon had used a Zünd cutter for ten years before decided to upgrade to a newer model, Richard Clark explains, and chose Zünd UK again over the competition for its build quality and support. "We know that if, in five years' time, there are any problems Zünd will still be around to support us."

Zünd UK showcased its digital cutting equipment at Sign and Digital UK 2015 as a guest on the stands of its authorised distributors i-Sub Digital, Canon and CMYUK.

"It was brilliant to start Sign and Digital UK with an order from such an inventive and creative company as Raccoon," comments Peter Giddings, Sales Director, Zünd Plotting Systems (UK) Ltd. "The Zünd G3 is ideal for Raccoon's needs now and will grow with them as they offer new applications to their customers."

Later this year, Zünd UK will be also be exhibiting its digital cutting equipment at the Composites Engineering Show. For further information, to organise a meeting or to book a visit to Zünd UK's recently renovated demonstration suite, please email sales@zund.co.uk or call 01727 833003.

Following a significant increase in enquiries, Zünd UK has expanded its sales team with the appointment of new Sales Account Manager Greg Heather.

Greg moves to Zünd UK from Esko, bringing with him many years of experience and a solid reputation in the sign and display and packaging sectors. In addition to these markets, he will be working with customers in the composites, textile and leather industries – covering the full reach of Zünd's digital cutting technology.

"We're delighted to welcome Greg to Zünd UK," says Peter Giddings, Sales Director, Zünd Plotting Systems (UK) Ltd. "He has a wealth of expertise in the graphics and packaging sectors and I have no doubt he will transfer this knowledge base to the many other markets we cover.

"We've had an influx of enquiries and orders over the past year and Greg is ideally suited to ensuring that new and existing customers – from a range of fields – receive the best service and find the perfect solution to meet their needs."

New Sales Account Manager Greg Heather adds: "I am very pleased to be joining Zünd UK. The company has a very impressive and innovative approach to the market requirements, the flexibility of the equipment offerings is excellent and I am excited to part of that for the future."

Based centrally in Rugeley, Staffordshire, Greg will cover sales in the Midlands, North-West England, Wales and Ireland.

Next week, visitors to FESPA 2015 in Cologne, Germany will be able to see a range of Zünd digital cutting equipment in action, courtesy of Switzerland's Zünd Systemtechnik AG (Hall 7, Stand M20). Zünd UK's Product Manager Nick Reed and Sales Demonstrator Matt Tillett will be on hand to give advice and information on the full Zünd range.

On show at FESPA 2015 will be the brand new robotic off-load system for the Zünd S3 M-800, a QR-code retrieval system for collaboration with Zünd Cut Center software and new automatic tool changer ARC, designed to select the correct router bit for the material from up to eight stored in a carousel. The new RM-S 1kW router module for the Zünd S3 series, capable of cutting materials such as acrylics and rigid foamcore up to 25mm thick, will also be on display.

For further information, to organise a meeting at FESPA or to book a visit to Zünd UK's recently renovated demonstration suite, please email sales@zund.co.uk or call +44 (0)1727 833003.

Bickenhill, Birmingham-based packaging specialist Jaffa Box is predicting its new Zünd G3 L-3200 digital cutting table will dramatically increase the speed of its sample-making processes following its installation in August.

Established in the 1970s, family-run Jaffa Box specialises in the manufacture of cardboard boxes, both plain and printed, and records an annual turnover of nearly £10m. Replacing hand-cutting processes with a sample table around 20 years ago accelerated the production of new designs, but this year Jaffa Box decided it was time to upgrade.

"That table made a big difference at the time and has served us well," says John Amyes, Managing Director, Jaffa Box. "But now our designers are producing samples all day long, so we started looking for a new, digital cutting table to meet demand."

John Amyes explains that he looked at equipment from a number of brands and asked for the opinions of other businesses in the packaging sector – including Zünd customer Sheard Packaging who purchased a Zünd G3 L-2500 digital cutting system for sample-making last autumn.

"The Zünd table was simply better than any of the ones I looked at," he says. "I was particularly impressed by the vacuum table, which has the bonus of being integrated, and the superior build quality in general. I also thought the software was brilliant. It just ticked all the boxes.

"Zünd has a very good name for service and reliability in the industry. I spoke to Sheard Packaging about their new Zünd and they were over the moon with it, so I'm certainly looking forward to having ours installed."

John Amyes saw the Zünd G3 in action at Zünd's recently renovated demonstration centre in St Albans – which he describes as 'very impressive' in itself. In fact, his visit coincided with the installation of the G3 in the facility so was also able to see the inner workings of the machine.

"New customers coming along and existing customers are always ordering new work, so we'll be using the Zünd a lot," adds John Amyes. "It will definitely speed up the sample making process – there's just no comparison between the Zünd and our existing table."

Nick Reed, Product Manager at Zünd Plotting Systems (UK) Ltd, comments: "The Zünd G3 L-3200 is designed to boost productivity so will make a tremendous difference to the speed of Jaffa Box's sample making processes. Its integrated variable vacuum system keeps both cost and energy consumption to a minimum and, like all Zünd cutting systems, it has a modular construction to allow it to grow and change with the user. It's also been developed to optimise automation and ease of use, making the transition from an older machine very simple."

For further information or book a visit to Zünd UK's demonstration suite, please email sales@zund.co.uk or call + 44 (0)1727 833003.

With the new Zünd router module RM-S, the S3 line of high-performance cutting systems becomes even more versatile and cost-effective. The RM-S is capable of processing materials such as aluminum, rigid plastics, composites or wood and delivering outstanding quality.

The new RM-S router module further underscores the Swiss cutting system manufacturer's ability to offer its customers tool options that provide maximum flexibility in processing methods and material choices.

The RM-S is an innovative, high-powered alternative to the proven Universal Routing Tool – URT. The outstanding performance characteristics of the RM-S stem from the use of a 1kW high-performance spindle, active air cooling, and an efficient dust-extraction system. With intelligent surface compensation, this routing option delivers exceptional precision in applications such as engraving acrylics, Dibond, and other challenging materials. The tool easily and effectively compensates for any variances in material thickness and produces top-quality results at precisely set cutting depths.

The RM-S processes a wide range of materials, including wood, plastic, composites, or aluminum at the highest quality levels and at thicknesses up to 25 mm / 1 in. The tool operating at high RPM in conjunction with the robust build of the S3 line of cutters allows for exceptionally high processing speeds, which results in significantly greater through-put.

Zünd is offering a valuable deal for packaging businesses in the form of a part exchange on XY cutters.  Until the end of 2015, Zünd will offer a significant discount on any new Zünd S3 or G3 digital cutting table in return for an existing XY cutter of any model, from any manufacturer.

Zünd's cutting tables are designed to meet the varying needs of packaging producers, built to a modular design that enables unique configurations of size and tools. Retrofitting of tools and other add-ons can also be carried out easily at any time to grow with the user's requirements.

"New Zünd users are always taken aback by how much their turnaround is improved following the installation of a machine," says Peter Giddings, Sales Director, Zünd Plotting Systems (UK) Ltd. "Our trade-up deal is therefore the perfect opportunity for packaging producers and design agencies to increase the speed and efficiency of their work.

"The deal would recuperate a considerable amount of original investment and will go towards getting a market-leading and award-winning Zünd machine."

The deal will run until 31st December 2015. Businesses interested in the deal – or those looking to make the addition of a cutting table to their workroom – can see Zünd's range at its recently renovated demonstration suite in St Albans. To book a visit, or for more information, please email sales@zund.co.uk or call +44 (0)1727 833003.

[Photo caption: Zünd G3 and S3 digital cutting tables will be part of the trade-up deal until the end of the year]

When Worthing and London-based L&S Display was approached to produce a bespoke graphic application to the outer building of renowned auction house Christie’s, the company responded to the challenge by producing a graphic substrate suitable for application even though both the surface and the finish were far from being typical for digital production print. 

L&S Display’s task was to wrap part of the Christie’s King Street Gallery in central London, working from visuals that demanded a specific type of material with high levels of adhesion for direct application onto the stone surface of the walls as well as onto the pavement. Utilising its many years of experience in the wide-format arena and engaging with its highly skilled technicians the company provided Christie’s with the ideal solution. Using Asphalt Art non-slip media, that conforms perfectly to irregular and rough surfaces, the job brief required a product which offered excellent conformability and strength but was easy to remove when required.

The application was printed on L&S Display’s EFI VUTEk GS2000 2m roll-fed and flat-bed wide-format printer which proved to be the ideal solution for generating the vivid green colour required. Each section was cut to size on the company’s Zünd G3 digital cutter, which incorporates advanced material handling and the right tools for even the toughest of substrate types, leaving a clean edge on the finished application. The bold green visual graphic was produced and installed within very tight deadlines, and performed excellently for the period required.

“Because the building is stone, and we had an extremely tight install time, a conventional brick vinyl was not an option for us as the material would have needed to have been heated in,” explains Adam Broomfield, Sign and Display Sales Manager at L&S Display. “We ran some tests on the Asphalt Art material from CMYUK and, because it adhered very well to the stone fascia and the pavement, it was immediately approved by Christie’s.”

The material was printed using UV-curable inks on the VUTEk GS2000 which, again, demonstrated excellent performance characteristics, before being finished on the company’s Zünd G3 in a variety of required sizes. Installation of the Asphalt Art media was also straightforward, and simply required a squeegee for it to adhere satisfactorily to the stone surface of the wall and to the pavement. 

“This job is a typical example of the sort of challenge where CMYUK thrives on providing innovative solutions, from printer to cutter and to the most suitable materials,” comments Michael Crook, Commercial Director – Consumables Division at CMYUK. “Although this was only a six-day project, it was vital that every part of the job was produced to the highest standards, was able to perform as expected, and was easy to remove without leaving a trace of residue.”

Asphalt Art has been developed as a non-slip graphics material that is ideal for applications which need a durability of up to twelve months. It requires no over-lamination and is thin enough to conform to untreated and rough surfaces including stone, brick and paved areas. Simple and quick to apply, it is also easy to remove, making it a popular choice for events, wayfinding, street art and retail graphics.

“L&S was created in 1981 and, since then, we’ve been busy producing the highest quality print products for leading brands, institutions and the creative industries,” continues Broomfield. “We have successfully evolved into a new breed of communications’ provision offering a full service, end to end solution from creative to production, storage and distribution, plus mail and delivery, also providing a build and installation service for all our client partner’s events and exhibitions.

“Our extensive plant list gives us the capability to produce all of our clients marketing and print requirements in-house under one roof. Built on a reputation for hitting the tightest deadlines, we pride ourselves on delivering products on brand, on time, every time,” Broomfield concludes. “Our obsession with service and the quality of products we provide has led to continuous investment in staff, equipment and technologies.”

CMYUK is the UK’s long-term partner of EFI and the VUTEk GS2000 numbers among the portfolio of the company’s wide- and superwide-format printers that covers widths from 1.6m up to 5m in combination and roll-to-roll options. The company also is a key distributor for Zünd digital cutting solutions as well as products from Mimaki and Vortex. Its growing range of materials includes Asphalt Art media along with A Berger textiles, plus complementary framing systems from Spirit-Tex.

[Photo caption: Christie’s King Street Gallery was partly wrapped for a special event by L&S Display using Asphalt Art, an EFI VUTEk GS2000 printer and a Zünd G3 cutter, all supplied by CMYUK]

Version 10 of Caldera's flagship printer control suite has been upgraded for all current licence-holders, featuring productivity markers, speed improvements and improved language support for international users. Drivers have also been developed for a number of new printers and cutters, building on Caldera's reputation as the go-to software internationally for the imaging of wide-format graphics. The update, V10.1, is available for free all current Version 10 holders.

Users can now add extra print-to-cut marks from within VisualRIP and GrandRIP at the stage of finalising the job, carrying these indicators over between repeated or nested documents. Not only does this provide improved accuracy, especially for textile and digital signage work, but it also optimises media space by eliminating the need for cut markers on borders. This option is fully supported by many industry standard cutters, including the Zünd, Protek and Summa brands.

Amongst the performance upgrades included in V10.1 are the incorporation of APPE 3.7, which decreases the RIP time for complex PDFs with variable data content or transparencies. Raster files and spot (or N-) colour processing are improved by more than four times when used in combination with Caldera's dedicated C4 engine or a computer with similar processing power, giving a significant productivity enhancement to the growing audience of wide-format houses that are using special effects and regionalisation within their output.

Popular features also receive improvements, with support for the Kala XY trimmer newly available to Trim-O-Matik licence holders. Nest-O-Matik, meanwhile, now allows users to change the automated naming of files; this is reflected in Nexio, Caldera's JDF-JMF connector module, which sees a 'GangName' field added for clustered jobs and is fully compatible with these amendments.

Japanese users benefit from improved support after customer feedback, while the Hebrew character set has been extended to cover new functionality. The entire suite has received a new language, Czech, in Caldera's continuing mission to extend its user family; similarly, Nexio now carries full documentation in Spanish.

"Our landmark Version 10 is establishing itself firmly as the product to beat world-wide and we continue to receive feedback from our various customer contact channels," explains Frédéric Soulier, Chief Technology Officer. "We will continue to augment Caldera across the board with incremental upgrades as we find new ways to improve speed, functionality and performance for our users."

Staffordshire-based large-format digital print company Printdesigns Limited has ordered its second Zünd G3 digital cutter to cope with increasing demand for its expanding range of portable fabric-based display stands.

Printdesigns launched its TEXStyle display range in 2013 following the installation of a 3.2m-wide Mimaki JV-5 DS printer and a rotary Monti Antonio heat press.

"Our main area of business is the production of quality, portable display solutions for the self-build exhibitor," says Mark Thompson, Director of Printdesigns. "For many years, the market has been dominated with traditional products that employ heavy, rollable graphics printed onto PVC or polyester films.

"Our customers are always looking for new products that can provide easier assembly, increased portability and, most importantly, a higher lever of aesthetic finish. The introduction of fabric graphics along with lightweight supporting frameworks have allowed us to offer newer, more innovative solutions to our customers."

However, the success of the line created a bottleneck in production as the seamstress team was hand-cutting the fabric – a process that took longer than the actual printing – so Printdesigns decided it was time to invest in digital cutting equipment.

"We considered both Zünd and another digital cutting brand but were definitely more impressed by Zünd's professionalism," says Mark Thompson. "While the other manufacturer allowed us to see its equipment in situ at the print room of an existing end user, it was a little awkward and difficult to see it up close. Zünd's dedicated demonstration centre in St Albans, on the other hand, gave us time to sit down, ask questions and really consider the machine in a comfortable environment. It's a big investment so that level of professionalism and sense of security is very important. You feel you're buying into a more supported product."

Since that time, Zünd's demonstration suite has been renovated and upgraded, providing an even better experience for current and future users.

Printdesigns has been running the Zünd G3 2m-wide cutting table for almost three years. "It revolutionised what we did," says Mark Thompson. "We went from struggling to finish at the end of the day to having time to spare. It's worth every penny that we paid for it and more."

The company is now awaiting the arrival of a second Zünd G3, configured specifically to meet their needs, in September. "Soft signage graphics are generally produced on one big piece of fabric measuring 3.2m wide, which is great for the customer as there are no panels to line up, but harder for us with our existing 2m-wide cutting table," explains Mark Thompson.

The new Zünd G3 cutter has a 3.2m-wide bed to allow full-width rolls of fabric to be trimmed quickly and with perfect precision every time. The new cutter will also feature a specially developed fabric tensioning system, critical for the effective transport of the high elastane-content polyester fabrics used for Printdesigns's graphics.

Mark Thompson admits that he didn't actually see the wider Zünd in person before submitting the order, basing the decision on the success of the 2m table and the high-quality support of Zünd engineers. Zünd will ensure that both the new and older cutting machines are located in the most ergonomic way possible in Printdesigns's warehouse in Stone, Staffordshire.

"For print businesses who traditionally cut materials manually, the addition of a Zünd digital cutting table – configured for their unique requirements – can absolutely transform production, as Printdesigns discovered," says Nick Reed, Product Manager at Zünd Plotting Systems (UK) Ltd.

"Since so few UK graphics companies can handle very wide fabrics, this 3.2m machine gives Printdesigns an even greater competitive edge in the marketplace. The demand for lightweight exhibition graphics is set to grow and grow, and Printdesigns is ideally placed to grow with it."

For further information on Zünd digital cutting equipment or to book a visit to Zünd UK's demonstration suite, please email sales@zund.co.uk or call +44 (0)1727 833003.

Zünd's 31-year history shows that close attention to users' needs and a wide-angled focus on innovation is what makes a technology company successful. Established by Karl Zünd as a sole proprietorship in Altstätten, Switzerland in 1984, the company has refined the development of its cutting systems while steadily expanding across the globe.

Its British arm, based in St Albans, celebrated a record year for sales in 2014: reporting a 35 per cent increase compared to 2013. While this is partly a reflection of growing confidence in British manufacturing following the recession, it is certainly also attributable to Zünd's capacity and willingness to look beyond a single industry. Beginning with plotting and cutting systems for leather and graphics, the development of modular tool heads for plotting, cutting, routing and engraving in 1992 opened up a range of new applications for users, and markets for the manufacturer. The introduction of digital technology and increase of speed means Zünd equipment is now found in a vast range of industries, including signage and graphics, packaging, aerospace, automotive, model making, clothing and footwear, flooring, defence, architecture, sports and recreation, pattern making and upholstery.

Moreover, each Zünd machine is configured to meet the unique requirements of each user. The range comprises the Zünd S3 and the Zünd G3 (plus the Zünd L3 for leather work), designed as modular units that can be tailor-made for the customer and updated retroactively. Accompanying software and tools enable the maximum flexibility for the machinery, growing with businesses as they expand or diversify.

Of course, Zünd is best known in our sector for cutting tables used in print rooms for large-format graphics, soft signage, commercial print and packaging. In an industry where it's the print quality that is key, the finishing equipment that makes a completed product is often quietly whirring away in the background; print businesses including Hollywood Monster, Fine Print and John E Wright have all invested in Zünd cutters in recent years to accompany new printer purchases.

Canon, CMYUK, i-Sub Digital and Spandex are authorised Zünd UK distributors, with Zünd UK also supplying machines, spares and technical support from its St Albans headquarters – which is completed with a demonstration suite. Recently renovated, the dedicated space allows potential buyers to see machines away from the crowds of trade shows or bustle of a working printroom, providing the necessary time to ask questions and all the information to receive full answers. In addition, Zünd UK is often a significant presence on the events calendar, from exhibiting at British trade shows independently or with a distributor, to hosting open days in St Albans or supporting the Swiss HQ at international industry shows.

Zünd UK combines Swiss engineering's enviable reputation with a British sense of customer service and family values. With no shareholders to placate, Zünd can work harder to provide practical support and advice to users and, while the equipment could not be considered cheap, customers know the profits will go back into the business. The Swiss factory itself is an exercise in sustainability – an issue Zünd counts as a priority. Utilising solar and geothermal power, featuring landscaped green roofs and favouring local suppliers for its component parts, Zünd has a clear goal of reducing the factory's carbon emissions. By making improvements in energy efficiency and waste reduction in every machine upgrade Zünd also helps its customers to improve their sustainability while increasing speed and profit margins. As print technology developments continue apace, this view of sustainability is win-win.

In just the past year, Zünd cutting tables have been admired by Prime Minister David Cameron, used to recreate the Lego Batmobile in soapbox form, installed by world-renowned architecture and design practice Foster + Partners and featured on the Discovery Channel. Zünd UK's bumper year in 2014 could easily be followed by an even better one in 2015.

C!Print Madrid's Plug&Play feature will again ask designers and professionals from the digital printing industry to present their personalised brand ideas on-site in a project designed to showcase the reality of companies wishing to develop their visual identity through products, as well as through points of sale, event areas, or in their corporate premises.

In the same manner as would be adopted by these companies or by their communications agencies, a committee of experts will work on the proposition of a "Brand manager" for Plug&Play, who will transmit their graphic chart to an interior designer (Barcelona agency Egue&Seta). The agency will then offer their expertise in the decoration of 3 themed areas:

• A Pop-up store, where the attributes of digital printing will be displayed through underlying market trends such as, greater flexibility and rapidity in the installation as well as original and ephemeral atmospheres, within the context of increasingly limited budgets.
• A Bar, where the variety of material, such as those with antibacterial functions, creates the possibility of a commercial or events-based zone with a strong identity that is easily complemented with personalised accessories (beer mats, glasses, bottle labels...).
• A Business meeting room, where the user codes evolve quickly to achieve increasing levels of modularity and conviviality, while emphasizing the efficiency in both the signage and connectivity of the location.

Once these areas have been drafted, the designer will work alongside large format digital printers (including interior design specialist printer Sabaté) who will produce the supports and personalised surfaces that will be displayed in Plug&Play. It is an area of over 600m2, at the heart of the exhibition, visitors will discover live the range of personalisation applications available. The visitor will then be shown solutions for their own creations in exhibitor’s stands by a professional intermediary trained in either products or printing.

Partners in Materials & Wide Format Digital Printing include: Roland, Mimaki, HP Latex, Epson Iberica, Fujifilm, Mutoh, Zund, 3A Composites, Hexis, Universal Woods, Javier Herranz, Endutex, Digidelta, NidoKraft and Re-board.

For the direct personalisation of products, a second Plug&Play area will present the complete panorama of the technologies available for personalising textile products (T-shirts, baseball caps, tote-bags...) or merchandising.

Based on technical demonstrations, the visitor will be able to see the level of equipment required and the facility of usage of any given application, sometimes headed by a web-to-print solution (in partnership with Gateway 3D), before being directed to the exhibitors who offer such solutions.

Partners in Product personalisation & Small format Digital Printing include: Grupo FB maquinaria, SAWGRASS, Laser Project, Tajima, Gravograph, Unibind, Roland, Epson, Hexis and Molca World.

With this 'live' product personalisation and its presentation in a real life sales environment in the Pop-up store, marketing/communications purchasing advisors and decision makers will easily be able to project their own products and brand onto the propositions found in Plug&Play.

Discover the PLUG&PLAY workshop in the C!Print Madrid trade show on the 6th, 7th and 8th of October 2015 in Casa de Campo - Pabellón de Cristal. For more information, please visit: www.salon-cprint.es/en

Bespoke packaging designer Simply Cartons has installed a new Zünd S3 M-800 digital cutting table after seeing the system in action at February's Packaging Innovations show in Birmingham.

Describing the addition of the new Zünd S3 as 'a breath of fresh air' for the Nottingham business's design studio, Simply Cartons's Commercial Director Conrad Cufflin explains that after nine years it was time to invest in the latest cutting systems.

"We decided it was time to catch up with the technology so went to see the Zünd S3 at Packaging Innovations at the NEC," he says. "Members of our team took profiles to the show where Nick Reed from Zünd cut samples on the table there and then, and we were very impressed.

"We looked at a number of cutting systems from different manufacturers but they either didn't meet our needs or simply didn't measure up; the Zünd was the best overall package for us."

Simply Cartons works with food and beauty brands such as Thorntons, Whittard of Chelsea and L’Oréal to create bespoke constructional designs for new products. Formerly relying on an ageing Misomex plotter – described by Conrad Cufflin as being 'on its last legs' – the design team was having to queue to produce packaging samples. Since replacing the Misomex with the new Zünd, multiple samples can now be made for clients in half the time.

"The speed is excellent and the table was easily integrated into our existing systems, meaning we've significantly improved day-to-day output," says Conrad Cufflin. "It's been a breath of fresh air.

"We're also future-proofed thanks to the Zünd's modular build; we can bolt on extra tools at a later date if we choose to."

The modular tool concept of Zünd's S3 and G3 digital cutting tables means they can be configured and retrofitted to meet the unique needs of each individual user, even as they change. Each one is designed for maximum efficiency, automation, safety and robustness.

Nick Reed, Product Manager at Zünd Plotting Systems (UK) Ltd, comments: "Simply Cartons is a leading name in bespoke packaging design and increasing its capacity with the addition of a Zünd S3 will help it stay ahead of the competition.

"With a range of retrofittable tools, a compact footprint and the ability to process a wide variety of materials up to 25mm thick, the S3 has made a valuable addition to many design studios and it's great to see Simply Cartons is also experiencing the benefits."

Conrad Cufflin adds: "Zünd is, like Simply Cartons, a family-owned business and on our first meeting seemed to be good people to work with, which turned out to be the case with excellent service and back-up."

Zünd has already confirmed it will exhibit at the next Birmingham edition of Packaging Innovations, taking place at the NEC on February 24th and 25th 2016. In addition, the company will be exhibiting at Advanced Engineering UK on November 4th and 5th 2015 and will host its own Open Days in collaboration with Canon on September 30th and October 1st at Zünd's demonstration suite in St Albans.

To book a place, arrange a meeting or find about more Zünd digital cutting equipment, please email sales@zund.co.uk or call 01727 833003.

Zünd is to host two open days with Canon this autumn, giving customers in the signage and graphics industries an opportunity to see a range of printing and digital cutting equipment.

Taking place on Wednesday September 30th and Thursday October 1st at Zünd's demonstration suite in St Albans, the open house will focus on two of Zünd's popular cutting tables and feature equipment from Canon's Océ printing line.

The Océ Arizona 480GT is a versatile flatbed UV printer offering near photographic-quality prints on rigid or flexible media, with varnish and double-opacity white ink options, while the Océ ColorWave 700 is an ideal poster printer and classic all-rounder – a system designed for speed, security and ease of use for a range of in-house printing applications as well as reprographics and sign and display print service providers.

The Zünd G3 XL3200 CVE16 is part of Zünd's G3 range of digital cutting tables capable of processing materials up to 50mm thick, with maximum automation, safety and workflow efficiency. The Zünd S3 L1200 CVE12 has the S3 range's compact footprint and ability to cut materials up to 25mm in thickness. All Zünd systems are modular, meaning each individual user can order a machine unique to their needs and make changes or upgrades retroactively.

The event will see representatives from Zünd and Canon give demonstrations of each machine, with opportunities for visitors to see their samples being printed and cut, to ask questions and to meet other members of the industry. Visitors can also find out more about Zünd's part exchange deal where, until the end of 2015, Zünd is offering a discount on any new Zünd S3 or G3 digital cutting table in return for an existing XY cutter of any model and manufacturer.

"Our open house events are a great way to learn more about our cutting solutions as part of a workflow with Canon's printing equipment," says Peter Giddings, Sales Director, Zünd Plotting Systems (UK) Ltd. "Our demonstration centre, refurbished at the end of last year, offers a chance to get hands-on with the technology in a dedicated environment away from busy trade show halls and print rooms.

"We, together with Canon, are looking forward to welcoming visitors from across the printing sector in September and October."

To book a place on the open days or for further information on Zünd digital cutting equipment, please email sales@zund.co.uk or call 01727 833003.

CMYUK is helping its customers get the best from their machines through a series of ‘How to’ tutorials on its new ‘CMYUK Showroom’ channel on You Tube.

The team plans to make around ten videos a month, and the simple instructional films already available include producing short run packing and prototypes, printing i-phone cases and pens, printing pre-cut boards on Mimaki printers, and greyscale printing on a Vutek H2000.

“We wanted to offer our customers a bank of professional tutorials that will enable them to get the most from their equipment, and to diversify into new markets,” explained CMYUK director Robin East.

“The videos we create for our You Tube channel are based on direct feedback and ‘frequently asked questions’ from our demo centre. The customers that visit our demonstration suite ask to see practical applications that are real, relevant and useful for their business so we decided to share these demonstrations with a wider audience by creating a digital learning centre online.

“For example the next video will be on the Zünd G3 cutter XY trimming at speed, which demonstrates the accuracy and efficiency of the cutter enabling common line removal for increased productivity. What this means in effect you can cut up to fifty 750mm x 2m pop-ups in 10 minutes flat.”

Other tutorials in the pipeline for the Zünd G3 are:

• Speed perspex routing including inlaid paths for 3D signage creating niche applications. The wide array of tooling offers finishes up to 50mm in depth for multiple applications, executable on one platform, with the highest precision and quality on each process.
• Processing 16mm ReBoard, typically used in point of sale and exhibition stand applications. Zünd Cut Centre uses the registration marks to calculate the relevant distortion and position for the Thru-cut and the Electric Oscillating Tool 250 can process not only thick touch honeycomb media, but also corrugated packaging medias, Kapa foam type materials and up to 50mm thick foams.
• Reverse head registration crease and cut for corrugated board typically used in point of sale applications. The Zünd reads the registration marks like a standard print and cut process, then automatically mirrors the file to suit. The product is then cut and creased from the reverse without any manual interaction.
• Zünd Cut Centre Software which guides any user through the steps of digital cutting, including Import of jobs and Hotfolders; Cut Queue with barcode scanning, time estimation, filtering, production setup and simultaneous cutting and preparation; Cut Centre with tool ID, timings, blade mileage, material database, auto vacuum adjust, safety features (red or green warnings), visualisation; and Cut Editor with inlays, cut optimisation, common line removal, file editing.

For more information, visit www.cmyuk.com go to https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCejfkkXzUbEekxrXBBHdfpQ or go to www.youtube.co.uk and search for CMYUK Showroom.

One of the UK's leading plastic fabrication companies has spoken about the massive impact Zünd technology has had on its business, as it installs its second Zünd G3 digital cutter within nine months.

West Midlands-based Wrights Plastics has seen significant growth in the past three years, with record turnover and staffing levels. With a core business in industrial components and retail display products, it has received two prestigious Manufacturer of the Year awards in regional business awards and currently employs around 100 people at its West Bromwich base.

The company purchased its first Zünd G3 in December 2014 from supplier Canon, after seeing it in action at another manufacturer's HQ and becoming aware of its capabilities. It soon became clear its existing cutting machinery was, in the words of its Commercial Director Andy Watkins, 'archaic'.

"The speed of the Zünd G3 was a revelation to us and has had a major impact on our business," he says, adding that as well as its impressive speeds, the finishing capability of the Zünd G3 XL-3200 means Wrights Plastics has changed the way it produces many items. "Items that were previously stamped out or knifed are now put on the G3 for routing or cutting, creating cleaner finishes and more efficient processes. Output has significantly improved and we are able to compete on price with competition around the world."

This has impacted the business further, as Andy Watkins explains: "We realised that investment in the best available plant and machinery was the key to future growth. With the introduction of the Living Wage, labour costs will rise significantly very soon – and we are already competing against a low cost base in the Pacific Rim. Our competitive advantage will come through the type of efficiencies that we can create using cutting-edge kit such as the Zünd. Our commitment is such that we have spent around €500,000 in an ongoing investment programme."

This month (October 2015) saw Wrights Plastics install a second machine – also supplied by Canon – to manage the increasing work volume achieved through growth into new markets for household names including Marks & Spencer, Coral, Tesco and Selfridges.

"The new Zünd is one of the first in the country with head-changing capabilities – again, purchased with the aim of increasing productivity and finished quality even further," says Peter Giddings, Sales Director, Zünd Plotting Systems (UK) Ltd. "Wrights Plastics has experienced first-hand the significant benefits of investing in the right machinery and we look forward to supporting the company as it grows further."

For further information on Zünd digital cutting equipment, please email sales@zund.co.uk or call 01727 833003.