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Engraving and Routing - Nov 2009
Investing in additional equipment such as routers and engravers in house gives a business the opportunity to develop new markets and generate additional income.
The balance of whether the possible additional income is worth the financial investment and associated risk is different for every business; but critical to any venture's success is choosing the right equipment from the start.
The latest machinery is more technically advanced than ever. Versatility of new machines is increasing, the choice of materials is growing all the time, and the possible markets for what is produced can seem endless. But it's not all roses, depending on what you buy, serious investment can be required, although leasing can help, and the competition is fierce. Manufacturers are busy researching and developing ways to get the most out of technology and have a range of tempting equipment, take a look.
Tekcel routers are available in single tool or multi tool change configurations, have class leading ballscrew drives on every axis and now include Tekcel's own print to cut solution, developed in conjunction with CADlink. AXYZ's Intelligent Cutting System (ICS) has a highresolution camera imaging system that captures print registration marks as well as industry-leading I-cut control software to resolve problems associated with linear and non-linear material distortions. The robustness of the Pacer HDS, closed-loop servo drives and ball screw combination, contributes to its smooth operation and fine-tolerance cutting capabilities that provide high quality edge finishes, meaning less post-routing finishing. Identify Engraving Systems has boosted its existing range by now offering Roland engraving machines.
But it's not just the router or engraver that makes the difference between success and failure; software and accessories are also crucial.
CADlink's new EngraveLab V8 program includes advances in both rotary and laser engraving workflows, additional features such as new fill routines to reduce "tool time" and is twice as fast as the previous version. ITC Tooling is about to launch a new ClearCut range, developed to give outstanding surface finishes on acrylic materials and eliminate the necessity of secondary operations and finish polishing.
AXYZ routers go for pole position in cut-to-print technology
Sunday, 01 November 2009 00:00
Compatible with all AXYZ CNC routers and available as an upgrade to existing machine installations, the ICS incorporates both a high-resolution camera imaging system that captures print registration marks and industry-leading I-cut control software. The automatic shape adjustment and Adobe Illustrator Plug-in registration mark capabilities inherent in the system will now comprehensively resolve problems associated with linear and non-linear material distortions where hitherto the use of standard software and print registration procedures had resulted in digitally printed signs and graphics being scrapped, with a consequent erosion of profits for the sign and graphics producer and inconvenience to their valued customers.
The ICS solution also features I-Script workflow communication to allow connectivity with all of the most popular RIPS and printers. Significantly, the system will now enable owners of AXYZ routing systems to develop new areas of business that previously would not have been possible and without additional expenditure on new cutting machinery. An ICS demonstration video can be accessed at www.digital-cutting.com or by contacting a member of the technical team on 01902 375 600.
The ICS facility has now been further enhanced with the new AXYZ oscillating knife that has been designed to precisely cut a wide range of digitally printable media up to a thickness of 40mm. In conjunction with the ICS system, the new oscillating knife will allow all types of material used in sign making and digital printing to be effectively handled at a greatly reduced cost. Furthermore, fine control of blade oscillation and tangential motion combine to deliver precise cutting and clean cut edges, even on thicker materials, without excessive over cut or fraying.
The knife accessory can be fitted with a wide choice of blade in various lengths and attack angles. It can also be used with a creasing wheel for sample making and associated creasing and perforating applications.
For further information, visit www.axyz.co.uk or telephone 01902 375600.
New Tekcel routers stand out from the crowd
Sunday, 01 November 2009 00:00
For the past decade, Tekcel routers have been widely regarded as the machines that deliver the highest levels of precision, productivity and reliability to the sign and display industry in the UK and Ireland, says Tekcel. The new models build on this well earned reputation and push their exceptional performance benchmark even higher.
The new Tekcel routers are available in single tool or multi tool change configurations, capable of dealing with the huge variety of material types, including plastics, metals, ACMs and woods commonly used throughout the industry. In keeping with Tekcel's manufacturing ethos of 'only the best will do', the new Tekcel routers feature class leading ballscrew drives on every axis, complete with powerful servo motors and digital encoders that deliver 'closed loop' motion control with pinpoint accuracy. All Tekcel routers are fitted with micro switch pads to accurately sense tool lengths for precise cutting depths, essential for inlay work and folding ACM trays.
Developed in conjunction with CADlink, world leaders in software development for the sign and digital print industry, Tekcel now offers its own cut to print solution, which makes a Tekcel router an ideal cutting partner for the increasing number of flat bed digital printers used in the sign and display industry.
Other new developments include system automation to control features like the vacuum hold down bed. The unique 'hole and pocket' vacuum bed system on a Tekcel router is self skimming to provide an absolutely level surface for precise cutting. A new aluminium slat profile and manifold system delivers truly exceptional hold down suction across all areas of the bed.
In addition to these innovations, Tekcel's popular interface with its user friendly joystick control has is now podium mounted as standard.
The new Tekcel router range also offers a range of popular bed sizes all the way up to 4m x 2m as standard. Tekcel CNC Solutions is also capable of delivering custom solutions for companies with specific requirements that fall outside its standard model range.
For more information, contact Tekcel CNC Solutions on 01275 342668 or go to www.tekcelcnc.com
ITC set to launch new ClearCut range of tooling
Sunday, 01 November 2009 00:00
Following extensive research and development into new cutting tools, leading manufacturer of cutting tool solutions for the sign and aerospace industry, ITC Tooling is set to announce the launch of its new improved ClearCut range of tooling.
The ITC range of ClearCut tooling has established its position in the marketplace and has been well received at both the Sign & Digital UK Exhibition and the Print Ireland show since its launch in 2008. The new ClearCut Solid carbide two flute, square end, straight shank cutter is a centre cutting tool manufactured from micro grain carbide to extremely tight tolerances with a polished flute geometry.
Despite the huge demand the ClearCut range has noted since its launch in 2008, ITC is not a company that rests on its laurels. With this in mind, ITC has worked tirelessly to improve the Clearcut range and the result is a new ClearCut Series due for launch this autumn. Behind the scenes ITC has experimented with various flute dimensions and tool geometries at its Tamworth facility with extensive tests conducted on the company’s 5-axis Matsuura machining centre.
Trials with a number of prestigious sign manufacturers have proven extremely positive with results delivering exceptional surface finishes in acrylic materials, removing the need for secondary operations and finish polishing. With such benefits there is little doubt that the new ClearCut range will emulate the success of its predecessor.
For customers interested in the current ClearCut range, the series has a polished geometry that gives an exceptional finish on Perspex and acrylic materials and in most cases eliminates the need for flame polishing components after cutting. To obtain the best results from the ClearCut series, ITC advises customers to use the range on a high powered and well maintained machine that can cut anti-clockwise. As well as remarkable results on acrylic, the range offers exceptional surface finish on Foamex and similar materials.
For further information telephone 01827 304500 or visit the website www.itc-ltd.co.uk
CADlink announces release of EngraveLab V8 for rotary and laser, at twice the speed
Sunday, 01 November 2009 00:00
Aside from a host of new features that streamline the design to output workflow, the single biggest enhancement to EngraveLab V8 is its output speed. Now twice as fast as the already efficient previous version, EngraveLab includes new fill routines that significantly decrease the amount of "tool time" it takes to produce jobs.
"We are extremely excited about the release of EngraveLab V8," says Tim Benner, EngraveLab Product Manager. "We feel that the new product will further increase our lead as the most widely used engraving software for both rotary and laser engravers worldwide."
The full list of EngraveLab V8's key features, which can be found at www.cadlink.com, includes search and replace, extended character picker, autocad SHX font support, fit to circle / square / ellipse, vectorisation wizard and 3D viewer.
Identify adds Roland engraving systems to its portfolio
Sunday, 01 November 2009 00:00
With an excellent reputation for manufacturing high quality signage equipment, Roland engraving machines are no exception, being well thought out and economically priced. Adding the Roland range to the already well established Vision range of machines means that Identify can now provide an engraving machine for every conceivable application.
In the Vision range, there are four standard engravers, 305mm x 406mm, 406mm x 609mm, 609mm x 609mm and 609mm x 1219mm. The two larger are available in router format to provide ultimate flexibility by giving the option of using a standard engraving head or simply fitting a router head of choice for heavier duty work.
Roland's EGX20 and 30A are genuine desktop engravers and designed for simple tasks such as labels, tags and badges; easy to operate, they come complete with simple to use software.
"A real workhorse system" is how Identify describes Roland's EGX 350, which is being supplied with the full Vcarve Pro software, fully featured with all the functions that a professional engraver would expect, and more. Vcarve Pro as the name would suggest has the ability to take a standard engraving cutter and create some brilliantly simple V effects "with little or no pain".
For trophy making there can be no better system than the EGX 360, says Identify. The EGX was designed from the ground up to mark or engrave virtually any conceivable item involved in the award and incentive industry. Round items up to 180mm quickly converting to a flat engraving table 305mm x 230mm means that even tricky jobs can be turned round in time to satisfy even the most demanding customer.
For a bit of extra size and power and the capacity to get jobs done fast, Identify recommends the EGX 400 and 600.
Identify is now able to provide customers with the very best in software utilising Vision Lite and Vision Pro both of which are Engravelab based. Vectric software has also been introduced with some versions being included in the Roland systems. Using Vectric V-Carve software not only provides fully featured engraving software but it also makes functions like V-carving simple, literally adding a new dimension to the products that signmakers can offer their customers.
In addition, Identify offers a comprehensive range of engraving materials. Identify believes it has always been and continues to be, the leading innovator in this area. New products such as Metalgraph, which simulate the real look and feel of metal, and SafeTMark, is a fire resistant laminate, means that Identify customers continually benefit from the company's ongoing research and development.
Samples, swatches and literature are readily available via www.identify.co.uk or telephone 0117 953 0800.
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