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Print Business Glossary: Automated Wide-Format Graphics Cutters

The newest post in our series of print-business glossaries clarifies some confusing jargon surrounding automated digital cutters for wide-format graphics:

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Print Business Glossary: Automated Wide-Format Graphics Cutters

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  1. Print Business Glossary: Automated Wide-Format Graphics Cutters    Automated cutting devices for wide-format graphics help convert prints on many different types           and thicknesses of materials into a huge variety of sellable products. With the right cutter, your               print shop can make:                                    two-dimensional decals, signs, and graphics,   three-dimensional product displays, exhibits, and promotional products,   corrugated packaging and folding cartons,   ready-to-hang wallcovering rolls;   digitally printed fabric for soft signage and cut-and-sew apparel  vehicle graphics and pin-striping   ● ● ● ● ● ● Computer-guided cutting tools on a moving gantry (metal beam) travel across the surface of a             substrate according to a programmed cutting path. The cutting tool mounted to the gantry can             apply different amounts of force to the substrate. For example, the tool can make partial or full               cuts to the print surface or cut into the surface of a rigid material.                                                           Wide-format cutting equipment can be used to make square cuts, contour cuts (die cuts), kiss               cuts, creases, perforations, and more.                   Background  Automated cutting systems for wide-format graphics have been adapted from computer-guided           cutting systems developed about 30 years ago for industries such as photo printing, packaging,               sign making, woodworking, and industrial parts manufacturing.                            Companies that manufacture different types of wide-format digital cutters include Fotoba,           Colex, Summa, Gerber/MCT, Zund, Graphtec, Roland, Esko, and Multicam.                Roll-fed digital cutting equipment is designed primarily for papers or vinyl. Flatbed cutters can             be equipped to handle either rolled materials or sheets of rigid materials.                   

  2.   Because ​wide-format graphics cutting devices have been adapted from so many different         industries, the terminology associated with digital cutting devices is often confusing. Here are           some terms associated with machines used to automatically cut the many large-format           materials that can be used to make signs, displays, decor, packaging, decals, and apparel.                                                 CNC ​stands for “computer numerically controlled’ device. The term was coined in the 1980s           during the very early days of computer-aided drawing (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing               (CAM). ​Vinyl Cutters (Cutting Plotters) ​were first-generation cutting devices that signmakers             used to cut adhesive vinyl into lettering that could be applied to windows, trucks, banner                 materials, and signboards. Computer-driven knives kiss-cut shapes and letters that could then         be “weeded” (peeled away) from the adhesive vinyl and applied to a signboard or vehicle.                                                                      Wide-format vinyl cutters today are more versatile. For example, the Roland GR series of large             vinyl cutters can contour cut laminated and unlaminated vinyl for vehicle graphics or             pin-striping, labels and decals, window films for signs and decor, heat transfer materials for             apparel decorating, sandblast mask; and heavy reflective materials used on emergency           vehicles.                                                              Some wide-format eco-solvent printers include built-in vinyl cutters.   Wide-Format XY Roll Cutters trim the edges of paper prints or cut a large print into a collection                 of smaller square or rectangular prints. The devices read embedded crop marks in the length               and width of each print and align the cutting blades for precise trimming.                                      Photo labs initially used XY cutters to cut wide rolls of photo-processed prints into packages of                   8x10, 5x7, and 4x6 inch prints. Today Colex distributes Fotoba X/Y roll-feed cutters in models                 from 64 in. to 126 in. wide Fotoba’s inline X/Y cutters can be connected to wide-format printers                     for a continuous print to cut operation.                                              Wide-Format Flatbed Board Cutters ​use interchangeable knives and router bits to finish the           many types of materials that can be loaded onto a wide-format cutting table. Zoned vacuum                 systems can hold small or large graphics in place while the cutting head follows the cutting                 instructions Some systems feature conveyor belts to move wide-format graphics from the           loading point to cutting to the unloading area beyond the active cutting area.                                                                3-Axis Routers ​are versatile, three-dimensional (height, width, depth) cutting devices that can         hollow-out the surface of sign materials such as wood, acrylic, foam board, MDF             (medium-density fiberboard).                                 Laser Cutters ​direct a high-power laser through a focusing lens. Where the focused laser beam             hits the material, the surface either melts, burns, or vaporizes away. The edge of the cut has a               high-quality finish. Laser cutters can be used for many types of wood, plastics, woven fabrics,               papers, metals, and card stocks. Laser cutters shouldn’t be used with flame-retardant materials,               PVC vinyl, or leathers.                                                                       

  3. CNC Plasma Cutters use an accelerated jet of hot plasma to cut steel, aluminum, brass, copper                 and other electrically conductive materials.                   CNC Waterjet Cutters ​use an extremely high-pressure jet of water to cut materials such as steel,             stone, plastic, glass, wood, and rubber. To cut harder materials such as metals and granite, the                 water is often mixed with an abrasive substance.                                       Panel Saws ​use saw blades to make straight cuts in rigid signage materials. Unlike machines                 that can only cut one layer of graphic materials at one time, panel saws can cut through several                     panels simultaneously.                                  Types of Cuts  Contour Cutting ​devices can create simple ovals or circles as well as designs with intricate             curves. Contour cutters eliminate the need to make metal dies to “die-cut” printed materials               Wide-format contour cutting devices are popular for decals, labels, POP displays, window signs,           and packaging.                                                    Kiss Cutting ​only cuts into one layer of multi-layer material. For example, a kiss-cut doesn’t                 affect the protective liner on adhesive-backed vinyl. This enables contour-cut labels to be           delivered on sheets until the labels are ready to be peeled off and applied.                                 Trends in Technology   Today, the versatility of cutting devices for wide-format graphics is expanding to meet the               changing markets for wide-format graphics and digital prints. To conserve print-shop floor           space, many wide-format graphics cutting devices can perform a range of tasks, including           routing, creasing, scoring, and perforating. Other devices excel at cutting specific types of           materials, such as fashion fabrics, different types of adhesive vinyl, thick acrylic plastic, leather,             or cardboard and packaging materials.                                                                               To speed up production and prevent bottlenecks, prepress operators setting up a print job can             designate which cutting device will handle the prints. So the cut marks and toolpaths can be               added before the print job even goes into production.                                      To further improve efficiency, some cutting systems can be equipped with automated loaders,             conveyors, roll feeders, and stackers.                 Follow Us on Social Media  Follow Ordant on LinkedIn​, Facebook​, or Twitter to learn when the next post in this glossary             series is published.                      Related Posts:  Print Business Glossary: Emerging and Niche Print Processes  Print Business Glossary: Finishing Equipment for Offset Presses   

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