數字模切機：生產效率的重要推動者

Digital finishing is an essential part of any sign shops workflow. The right table cutter can eliminate bottlenecks to help your printing operation run smoothly and remain on the cutting edge.

數字化切割是任何標識一家工廠工作生產中不可或缺的重要組成部分。選擇正確的切割機可以消除瓶頸，以幫助您的打印生產順利運行，并保持產品的優質性。

The latest crop of flatbed digital die cutters can make life easier for sign and graphics businesses. If you are in the market for a new unit, finding the right machine for your shop will take some investigative research as well as asking the right questions.

最新的平板數字模切機可以使標識和圖形業務的變得更容易。如果你想為你的標識工廠添加這樣一臺設備，那么建議你多采取一些調查研究以及問題，購買到適合你標識工廠使用的機器。 

What are some features to look for (such as vacuum table, double-head models, router capabilities)? How much space do you need? How much power do you need for the motor? Which applications does this cutter excel in? How many tools do you need? What new services can you offer your customers? And, most importantly—how much money can you expect to spend? To help answer some of these questions, we spoke to some of the experts in this area and compiled some tips, product suggestions and other points you need to consider when shopping for a flatbed digital die cutter.

需要尋找哪些功能（如真空吸附臺、雙頭工作模式、切割功能）？你需要多少空間？你需要多少動力來驅動馬達？這個切割機擅長哪些應用？你需要多少工具？您能為客戶提供哪些新服務？最重要的是，你能期望花多少錢？為了幫助回答其中的一些問題，我們與該領域的一些專家進行了交談，并匯編了一些提示、產品建議和您在購買平板數字模切機時需要考慮的其他要點。

The BHS150 is designed for operation with the Zünd G3 and D3 cutter series. D3 dual-beam technology provides a significant increase in performance and thus offers maximum productivity. (Image courtesy of Zünd America Inc.)

BHS150設計用于Zund G3和D3系列刀具的操作。D3雙光束技術顯著提高了性能，從而提供了最大的生產率。（圖片由Zund America Inc.提供）

Cuts Like a Knife

像刀一樣切

“As the lines between print market segments continue to blur, the new normal for print service providers (PSPs) is to offer a full spectrum of products ranging from retail promotional graphics, decals and banners, to all types of displays, folding carton, and corrugated packaging,” says Beatrice Drury, director of marketing and communications Zünd America, Franklin, Wisconsin. “To meet this incredibly diverse range of finishing demands efficiently and therefore profitably, PSPs need specialized tooling and automated workflows that encompass all phases of production—no matter the specific finishing process or application.

市場營銷和傳播總監Beatrice德魯里說：“隨著打印市場細分之間的界限不斷模糊，打印服務提供商（PSP）的新常態是提供全系列的產品，從零售促銷圖形、貼花和橫幅到所有類型的顯示器、折疊紙盒和瓦楞包裝，為了有效地滿足這一令人難以置信的多樣化的精加工需求，因此，PSP需要專門的工具和自動化的工作流程，包括生產的所有階段，無論具體的精加工過程或應用。

“Precisely for this reason, Zünd continues to focus on adding capabilities and workflow automation to our modular systems,” Drury adds. “For example, Zünd recently added laser capabilities to its already extensive range of tool options. At the same time, Zünd also introduced the over-head camera, which is a game changer when it comes to workflow efficiency. Instead of reading multiple register marks sequentially, which is the traditional registration method for flatbed cutting systems, the over-head camera captures all register marks at once.”

Drury補充道：“正因為這個原因，zund繼續致力于為我們的模塊化系統添加功能和實現工作流自動化努力，例如，Zund最近在其已經廣泛的工具選項中增加了激光功能。同時，Zund還引入了攝像頭，它在工作流程效率方面改變了游戲規則。無需按順序讀取多個存儲標記（這是平板切割系統的傳統注冊方法），頭頂攝像頭可以一次捕獲所有存儲標記?！?/p>

At this year’s SGIA, Zünd added the BHS150, the latest generation of fully automated board loading/unloading/stacking—a system geared specifically to high-volume, industrial-level digital cutting/finishing. Paired with the dual-beam D3, the BHS150 is said to help deliver unprecedented non-stop productivity with 1.5m (5') stacking capacity at either end.

在今年的SGIA，Zund增加了BHS150機型，這是最新一代的全自動紙板裝卸/堆垛系統，專門用于大容量、工業級的數字切割/精加工。與雙光束D3配合使用，據說BHS150有助于提供前所未有的不間斷生產能力，每端的堆疊能力為1.5米（5英尺）。

“What’s unique about Zünd’s modular machine concept is that a user can, for example, take the original digital cutting system they purchased for processing output from their flatbed printing device and adapt it to meet increased demand in, for instance, textile applications by adding a cradle feeder and Cut & Seal Laser Module,” Drury explains.

Drury Exp萊恩斯說：“Zund的模塊化機器概念的獨特之處在于，例如，用戶可以利用他們購買的用于處理平板打印設備輸出的原始數字切割系統，并對其進行調整，以滿足增加的需求，例如：添加搖籃進料器、切割、密封激光模塊、紡織應用?！?/p>

She adds another user may want to expand on their routing capabilities with the powerful 3.6kW router and automatic tool changer. And a third may be interested in adding fully automated loading and stacking capabilities with the new BHS150. 

假如一個用戶希望通過功能強大的3.6Kw切割功率和自動工具轉換器擴展其路由功能。第三種可能對新款的BHS150機型的全自動裝載和堆疊功能感興趣。

“Zünd can accommodate all of these expansions—be it with a brand-new cutter configuration or an update to an existing one. New components can easily be added, thereby eliminating the need for purchasing additional equipment and maximizing the ROI on existing cutting systems.”

“Zund可以適應所有這些擴展，無論是采用全新的刀具配置還是對現有刀具的更新?？梢暂p松添加新組件，從而消除了購買額外設備的需要，并最大限度地提高現有切割系統的投資回報率?！?/p>

Esko’s Einar Ek says that the speed of your digital press could determine if a feeder and/or stacker is needed. (Image courtesy of Esko)

Esko的EinarEk說，數字打印機的速度可以決定是否需要進紙器和/或堆垛機。（圖片由Esko提供）

Digital is a Game Changer

數字改變了游戲規則

Royce Owen, marketing director for AirMark Corp., Seattle, Washington, points out that flatbed technology is still relatively new when you compare it to traditional vinyl cutters, but digital technology of these models has moved rapidly and they have become a staple for popular finishing options due to their flexibility as well as the growth of rigid printer capabilities.

華盛頓州西雅圖市Airmark公司的營銷總監羅伊斯歐文指出，與傳統的乙烯基切割機相比，平板技術仍然是一個相對較新的技術，但是這些型號的數字技術發展迅速，由于其靈活性和RI的增長，它們已經成為流行的精整選擇的主要產品。gid打印機功能。

 “Continuous-feed features and large cutting tables are both traits sign businesses should look for in a cutter,” he notes. “The former helps prevent bottlenecks by working through projects one right after the other. Essentially, you can queue the next board before previous ones are done. Continuous-feed cutters save time and help you complete more projects,” he suggests.

他指出：“連續進料特性和大型切割臺都是企業應該在切割機上尋找的特征?！鼻罢咄ㄟ^一個接一個地完成項目來幫助防止瓶頸?；旧?，您可以在前一個板完成之前對下一個板進行排隊。連續切刀可以節省時間，幫助你完成更多的項目，”他建議。

Owen says in addition to knowing what types of cutters are out there, you should also look at your operations.

歐文說，除了知道有什么類型的刀具，你還應該看看你的操作。

“The types of jobs you take on will determine your cutting needs. Will you be making product labels or large displays? Are you printing on vinyl or paper? Such factors determine the type of cutter you need along with the features it should have. For example, large products need space, which means a big flatbed cutter. As for material, get a cutter best suited for your medium. If you print on a variety of materials, you’ll need a cutter that can handle them all.”

“你從事的工作類型將決定你的切割需求。你要做產品標簽還是大型顯示器？你是用乙烯基還是紙打??？這些因素決定了你需要的刀具類型以及它應該具有的特性。例如，大型產品需要空間，這意味著大型平板切割機。至于材料，找一個最適合你介質的切割機。如果您在各種材料上打印，則需要一個能夠處理所有材料的切割器?！?/p>

Owen points out that large flatbed surfaces are also popular in the industry. “As more wide-format printers continue to be introduced, cutters have gotten larger to keep up with the demand. Not only that, but with more space, your machine can handle complex contour cutting.”

歐文指出，大型平板床表面在這個行業也很受歡迎。隨著越來越多的寬幅打印機的不斷推出，切割機也越來越大，以滿足需求。不僅如此，而且空間更大，您的機器可以處理復雜的輪廓切割?！?/p>

He explains that another thing to consider is that flatbed cutters have many different tool options for a wide variety of applications. “Flatbeds cutters have a versatile motorized tool head that can accept many different types of tools for a variety of substrates and applications — from fabric, wood, leather, and acrylic, to foam board, cardboard as well as roll material. The flexibility of the flatbed finishing system allows you to expand your business into new areas in many cases by just inserting a new tool.”

他解釋說，要考慮的另一件事是，平板刀具有許多不同的工具選項，用于各種各樣的應用。平板切割機有一個通用的電動工具頭，可以接受多種不同類型的工具，用于各種基材和應用——從織物、木材、皮革和丙烯酸樹脂，到發泡板、紙板和卷材。平板整理系統的靈活性使您可以通過插入新的工具，在許多情況下將業務擴展到新的領域?！?/p>

The Colex Sharpcut conveyer can be used for a variety of applications. (Image courtesy of Colex Finishing Inc.)

Colex Sharpcut輸送機可用于各種應用。（圖片由Colex Finishing Inc.提供）

Sizing Things Up

調整大小

Owen reports that the size of a system can be also be an issue for some smaller shops. “Many different sizes of flatbed cutters are now available. The flatbed cutters we sell have a rather small footprint and can fit into most shops, yet they are able to handle large panels of rigid substrate media. Rather than a vacuum bed, or units that employ pneumatic media advance clamps to hold down the hard media and continuously move it forward to accommodate large finishing jobs. In addition, the roll support and conveyer systems allow for long, continuous runs of flexible media.”

歐文說，設備的大小也是一些小的制作商家需要考慮的問題，現在有許多不同尺寸的平板切割機可供選擇。我們銷售的平板切割機占地面積很小，適合大多數工廠，但它們能夠處理大塊剛性基板介質。而不是真空床，或采用氣動介質推進夾具來壓制硬介質并持續向前移動以適應大型精加工作業的裝置。此外，輥支撐和輸送系統允許柔性介質長時間連續運行?！?/p>

He adds that the type of work that your shop will be handling should be something that should be researched—what size and types of media, length and tracking accuracy needs. “The number of functions included, and the level of quality built into the cutting table must be balanced against how much you are willing to spend.”

他補充說，你的工廠將要處理的工作類型應該是一些應該研究什么尺寸和類型的媒體，長度和跟蹤精度需要的東西?！鞍墓δ軘盗亢颓懈钆_內置的質量水平必須與您愿意花費的金額相平衡?！?/p>

Graphtec FCX4000 cutter series is an affordable cutting solution for small to medium print on demand jobs. It employs an electrostatic system to hold media. (Image courtesy of Graphtec America)

GRAPHTEC FCX4000切割機系列是一種經濟實惠的中小型按需打印作業切割解決方案。它采用靜電系統來容納介質。（圖片由美國石墨公司提供）

Accelerated Results

加速結果

Einar Ek, CAM solutions – pre sales at Esko, Miamsburg, Ohio, says that the customer’s job specs will determine the speed and power that is required.

Einar Ek，Cam解決方案–俄亥俄州，邁姆堡 Esko的售前人員說：“客戶的工作規范將決定所需的速度和功率?！?/p>

“Let’s be clear that acceleration is what is really important. Cutting long straight edges fast is pretty simple. Stopping and going quickly around a number of small detailed cuts is a much greater challenge. For example, the Kongsberg cutting tables sold by Esko are engineered for production with no compromise between speed and quality over the entire surface.”

“我們要清楚，加速度才是真正重要的?？焖偾懈铋L直邊非常簡單。停止和快速完成一些小的詳細削減是一個更大的挑戰。例如，Esko出售的Kongsberg切割臺是為生產而設計的，在整個表面上速度和質量之間無懈可擊?！?/p>

He says that the Kongsberg table’s focus areas are pretty versatile and include sign making, P.O.P. displays, protective packaging, short run corrugated and sample tables for packaging designers and converters. “Behind the many segments there are hundreds of materials from fine vinyl to heavy-duty paperboard or Plexiglas.”

他說，康斯伯格桌子的重點領域是相當多用途的，包括標識制作，P.O.P展示架，保護性包裝，短期瓦楞和樣品表面包裝?！翱梢园袛蛋俜N材料，從優質乙烯基到重型紙板或有機玻璃?！?/p>

When looking at how many tools are needed, Ek says that the answer goes back to determining what materials are being finished. “Normally, a customer would own three to six tools directed at their specific material selection,” he says. “For Kongsberg tables, it comes down to having the right portfolio of tool bits and blades to fit a customer’s requests. Esko offers a complete set of advanced quick-change tool heads that provide versatility, making it easy to set up the cutting table to process any material.”

EK說：“當查看需要多少工具時，可以追溯到確定正在完成的材料，通常情況下，一個客戶會擁有三到六個針對其特定材料選擇的工具，歸根結底就是擁有適合客戶要求的合適的工具位和刀片組合。Esko提供了一整套先進的快速更換工具頭，可提供多種功能，使切割臺易于設置，以處理任何材料?！?/p>

More Applications

更多應用程序

Ek points out that adding digital finishing to your process allows you to offer new and exciting applications and capitalize on some key trends such as:Personalization — “Every sheet can be printed differently. In the same way, every sheet can be cut differently.”

EK指出，在您的流程中添加數字整理可以讓您提供新的令人興奮的應用程序，并利用一些關鍵趨勢，如：個性化-“每張紙都可以不同打印。同樣，每一張紙的切割方式也不同?！?/p>

Creativity — “Straight-cut signs are basically commodities. Companies compete for this business on price. Digital finishing tables, with the right CAD design software, can allow print providers to offer creative 3D displays. This not only offers the ability to enjoy higher margins for unique work; it also allows a print provider to offer structural design services as a separate profit center.”

創意-“直線標識可以做成可以銷售的商品。公司在價格上競爭這項業務。有了正確的CAD設計軟件，數字精加工臺可以讓打印供應商提供創造性的3D展示。這不僅能夠為獨特的作品提供更高的利潤空間，還允許打印商作為單獨的利潤中心提供結構設計服務?！?/p>

Interesting Materials — “New and more interesting materials that can only be finished on a CNC machine. For example, there is the ability to finish re-board for P.O.P. display projects, and most other materials used for signs.”

有趣的材料-“新的和更有趣的材料，只能在數控機床上完成。例如，有能力完成P.O.P展示項目的重新設計，以及大多數用于標識的其他材料?！?/p>

Just in Time Production — “In-house finishing can deliver quick delivery times from the print provider. In addition, the print provider benefits with greater capacity from faster throughput,” Ek concludes.

EK總結道：“準時生產-“內部精加工可以從打印供應商處快速交付時間。此外，打印提供商還得益于更快的吞吐量帶來更大的收益?！?/p>

在織物上做一個鋒利的切口

Maureen Damato, sales dealer account manager at Colex Finishing, Elmwood Park, New Jersey, says the biggest trend in this category she is seeing is the ability to cut textiles and fabrics. “Sign and graphic shops should make sure that their cutter is capable of cutting textiles/fabrics for future workflow. For example, the Colex Sharpcut offers the SX3216 (10’ x 5’ with the ability to cut 4’ x 8’ boards and textile media up to 126" wide. The laser option is available to weld the edges to avoid fraying textile edges. The optional motorized rotary knife and heavy duty motorized rotary knife are available to cut textile/fabric.

新澤西州埃爾姆伍德公園Colex Finishing的銷售經銷商客戶經理達馬托說，她所看到的這一類別的最大趨勢是能夠裁剪紡織品和面料?！皹俗R和圖形工廠應確保他們的切割機能夠切割紡織品/織物，以供將來的工作流程使用。例如，Colex Sharpcut提供SX3216（10’x 5’，能夠切割4’x 8’板和126”寬的紡織介質。激光選項可用于焊接邊緣，以避免織物邊緣磨損?？蛇x電動旋轉刀和重型電動旋轉刀可用于切割織物/織物。

Damato adds that the Sharpcut Flatbed Cutter offers a triple interchangeable tool head that includes a router for rigid material and two tool stations for a wide variety of tools for customer specific workflow. A six-zone energy efficient vacuum system with industrial vacuum motors for durability is also included.

Damato補充說，Sharpcut平板切割機提供了三個可互換的刀頭，包括用于剛性材料的切割機和用于客戶特定工作流程的各種工具的兩個工具站。六區節能真空系統與工業真空電機的耐久性也包括在內。

She points out the Sharpcut offers three different router motors. “Each router offers spins up to 24k RPM available in 1.3hp, 3hp and 5hp. The horsepower of the router controls the maximum bit diameter and the depth of cut. In other words, the higher the horsepower the deeper the cut can be for each pass allowing the ability to cut thicker materials with fewer passes. Fewer passes means the cutter will be more productive and efficient while delivering clean, smooth edge quality.”

她指出Sharpcut提供三種不同的切割電機?！懊颗_切割機提供高達24k轉/分的轉速，分別為1.3hp、3hp和5hp。切割機的馬力控制最大鉆頭直徑和切削深度。換言之，馬力越高，每次通過的切割深度越深，允許以較少的通過量切割較厚的材料。較少的焊道意味著切割機在提供干凈、光滑的邊緣質量的同時，將更加高效和高效?！?/p>

She says the Sharpcut tool head can cut foamboard, coroplast, PVC, corrugated plastics and more while the more powerful router head can cut Dibond, acrylic, wood and aluminum up to 2-1/2 inches-thick. “Colex also offers the EngView Library software suite that contains more than 1,500 resizable templates for boxes, P.O.P. and trade show furniture.”

她說，鋒利的刀頭可以切割泡沫板、Coroplast、PVC、波紋塑料等，而更強大的刀頭可以切割2-1/2英寸厚的dibond、丙烯酸、木材和鋁?！癈olex還提供EngView庫軟件套件，其中包含1500多個可調整大小的盒子、P.O.P.和貿易展覽家具模板?！?/p>

Damato adds that the Sharpcut standard 5’ x 10’ package includes the triple interchangeable tool head, an energy efficient six-zone vacuum system and vision registration, and includes installation, on-site three-day training and one-year warranty on parts and labor.

Damato補充說，Sharpcut標準5’x 10’套裝包括三個可互換工具頭、一個節能六區真空系統和視覺注冊，并包括安裝、現場三天培訓和一年的零件和勞動力保修。