Cutting & Routing

Do You Need One?

Adding a digital die cutter can improve many aspects of the print provider’s business, especially if you own a flatbed printer. It can reduce the cost of manufacturing a project by offering faster more efficient finishing and cutting. These systems can add extra services a company can provide to its clients, reduce overall production times and save substrate cost by providing a way to efficiently cut tightly nested multiple images.

These types of devices are usually built in a very robust manner, with the normal life span of a cutting system exceeding 5 years. That is something else to consider when buying this type of equipment. Don’t purchase a cutter for today’s needs, buy one that will last through your future needs. High-end digital cutters are generally equipped with software that is compatible with the kind of RIP-to-cut software available through suppliers such as Onyx, Wasatch, Caldera, Colorburst and many others. Print files with embedded cut lines, are sent to the RIP and can be automatically nested, scaled and paneled with the required copies for the job. Registration marks and/or barcodes are added in the RIP process.

Once the cut file is created, it is later opened at the cutter. There is usually an automated visual system that reads the registration marks, which then allows the cutter to plot the cut path around a given object. Systems can have a moving belt transport or may be solid vacuum tables. Systems may come in various configurations, with many options depending on the manufacturer.

Cutting & Routing CNC Machine Manufactures

Colex/Fotoba 

Wide format slitters and automated cutters

EskoArtwork 

Kongsberg line of digital flatbed cutters

Gerber Scientific Products 

Gerber offers equipment for digital color imaging, contour cutting and routing with our complete line of integrated products and services.

Mimaki USA 

Mimaki offers flatbed cutting plotters, CF3 and CF2 series

MultiCam

MultiCam manufactures CNC Router, Laser, Plasma, WaterJet, and Knife Cutting machines, with over 70 distributors worldwide, including 20 technology centers across North America.

Océ

Océ ProCut flatbed cutter line includes nine highly accurate, automated cutting systems that deliver exceptional cut quality, versatility and productivity for all display graphic applications. Part of a complete digital workflow system including Océ ProCut workflow software, Océ ProCut digital cutting tables can streamline your large format digital printer workflow from prepress to finishing.

Summa Inc

F series flatbed cutting system, roll fed plotter cutters

Vision

Vision Systems are proudly manufactured in Phoenix, AZ, by an experienced team that is dedicated to excellence. Our product line includes a variety of machines for a range of budgets and applications, from small-format and specialty engravers to heavy-duty, large format engravers and CNC routers.

Zund

A total solution for digital cutting and routing. modular equipment for many specialties