Finishing has been a popular product service in print shops for decades, and continues to grow in today's competitive marketplace. Output providers continue to look for new cutting, routing and finishing solutions to help them provide the latest products and services to meet their clients' needs. They are demanding increased automation capabilities, seamless integration into their existing workflows, and features that will expand the overall versatility of the finishing services they can provide.
喷印企业的表面涂饰服务几十年来都备受欢迎，尽管这个市场竞争激烈，但对这些服务的追求却有增无减。终端供应商正试图寻找新的切割围字以及表面涂饰技术来获得最新的产品和服务，并借此满足他们客户的需求。目前的切割围字技术行业正在为企业提供越来越多的产品类型。并且，他们也在将自动化能力以及无缝集成技术加入已有的产品服务之中，并且表面涂饰服务所具有的功能性以及应用范围也再逐渐被扩大。
Automated Solutions
适合行业的全自动化解决方案
"There are two things going on in the industry. First, the ongoing march of digital printing continues. There is more digital output, and a lot of it is wide format. The continuing move to digital is driving print service providers (PSPs) to invest in more technology-based solutions to be competitive. It's one of the industry's few growth areas," commented Bill Hartman, vice president of business development, digital finishing at Esko. "As digital print is adopted, PSPs need to look at complete design-to-print-to-cut solutions. They should evaluate options for printing and finishing, as well as for the variety of software for workflow and possible automation."
Bill Hartman作为从事于数码表面喷印公司Esko的市场发展副总裁则认为，“有两种现象是我们现在应在这个行业中所注意的，首先是数码喷印技术仍在不断的发展，其次是数码喷印服务的终端供应商都会选择宽幅的喷印设备，而这些也正在推动喷印服务提供商（简称PSP）在技术上投入更多资金以保证自己的竞争力。这是业界少有的增长领域之一。”随着数码打印这种技术被越来越多地被应用，喷印服务的提供商们也需要将目光着眼于设计、喷印、切割这条完整的解决方案上来。他们要评估所有能够应用到喷印以及表面涂饰的技术，以及各种软件的工作流程和自动化服务。
Hartman says that high-end shops will also need to consider material handling - a means to transport material from the printer to the cutter. As digital printers get more productive, better material handling will be needed to keep up with the volume of printed output. "On the other side of the spectrum, there are many, many small shops that are investing in entry-level cutters to match up to entry-level wide-format printers, to complete entry-level solutions," he added. "This is a significant trend."
Hartman说，服务于高端用户的企业还需要考虑材料的处理方式——将喷印机上已经制作出来的产品运输至切割机。随着数码喷印机越来越高产，材料处理也需要跟上这种趋势。而那些小型的企业越来越多地购买入门级别的裁剪机以及宽幅打印机，这则被视为另外一种趋势。
Utilizing More Diversified Substrates
利用多种多元化的基板材料
Pete Alsten, Zund America's product manager, is seeing a trend toward ever more diversified substrates, from thicker, rigid plastics, cardboard, and even aluminum, which require routing and heavy-duty oscillating tools, down to thin polyester fabrics and mesh. "For output providers, this puts renewed importance on having a multifunctional cutting system, at their disposal that can easily and productively handle a very wide range of applications," said Alsten.
Pete Alsten是美国Zund公司的产品经理，他则认为现在行业中的趋势是基材越来越多样化，塑料材质越来越厚重，甚至从铝型材质到轻薄的聚酯织物介质和网布介质也都越来越强调工艺。对于终端产品供应商来说，拥有一台多功能切割机将能够易于制作出更多类型的产品，这将是非常重要的一点。
"The workflow is changing more and more toward high-volume digital production consisting of longer single jobs, which are now printed and finished digitally, or multiple smaller jobs queued for the same/similar types of materials to minimize changeovers. Output providers are taking advantage, more and more, of the various levels of automation, from semi-automated to fully automated/unattended production for rigid and flexible materials."
在当下这个领域中，正在越来越多的朝着容量高、并完全由数码喷印以及表面涂饰的产品进行转变，工作量也越来越复杂，并且对于相同或相似的材质的需求也越来越大，目的是为了减少更换。各级的终端供应商正从各类由半自动化/全自动化及其中生产的刚性/柔性材料中获益。
Demand for Cutting Vinyl
行业对于切割机的需求
"Vinyl cutters have been around for a long time, and Roland has been offering these devices for nearly 20 years. Early on, vinyl cutters were used primarily for sign making, but over time, they have become more versatile tools used for other applications, including apparel decoration, vehicle graphics and pre-printed decals and labels," said Roland DGA Product Manager Daniel Valade. "This evolution is due to the increasing capabilities of cutters, as well as new software available.""The apparel market is a sector where there is still significant demand for vinyl cutters," he commented. "The selection of materials available for heat transfer applications continues to grow, with glitter and hologram specialty transfers becoming increasingly popular."
刻字机的历史非常悠久，就拿Roland公司来讲，就已经从事这个领域已达20年之久。早期这些设备主要用于标牌的制作，但随着时间的发展，它们的用途越来越广泛，包括服装装饰、车身广告以及预印花和标签行业。Roland EGA公司的产品经理Daniel Valade说，“这种改变是源于切割机增加的能力以及新的软件的出现。同时，服装行业也有着对刻字机的需求。热转印技术的材料，也随着增加了闪光元素和全系转印技术的发展，越来越受到市场的欢迎。
He points out that a growing number of digitally printable heat transfer materials that can transfer to a much wider variety of apparel substrates (beyond cotton and poly blends) are also showing up in the market. He says vinyl cutters are using these digitally printed heat transfer materials, along with the ability to cut rhinestone templates, to take garment decoration to the next level.
他还指出大量可用于数码打印热转印的材质的出现，会使得服装材质发生变化（不再只是棉或是混纺的涤纶）。能够对热转印材质进行加工的刻字机同时会有对一些水钻加工的能力，这也会让服装业在在装饰方面的到长足的发展。
Changing Marketing Trends
处于变化中的市场趋势
Hartman adds that, with more flexibility in printing and cutting, marketers are collapsing - slicing and dicing - marketing campaigns. "Today, campaigns are no longer national. They're regional, ethnic and prepared in different languages. It is so targeted that displays in one store in a city can be different than the brand's displays at another store in the same city. There are more versions and a shorter life. This brings the pressure of rapid turnaround, and certainly projects that cannot be done by hand."
Hartman补充说道，由于刻字行业以及喷印行业处于不断地变化当中，这会导致那些进行市场销售的人员要经过一个痛苦的适应过程。如今，销售已经不再只针对全国，市场将倾向于销售应该在不同地区、不同民族、不同的语言环境下开展。哪怕是同一个城市的两家店铺，展示板所展示的也会截然不同。产品的版本越来越多、更新换代的速度也越来越快，这增加了转换思维的模式与行为模式的压力，并且要加入更多的思考。
He points out that time to market also brings with it a tremendous pressure for prototypes. "Every level of the value chain is accelerated. Pieces must be printed quickly. Prototypes must be cut automatically. It also means that software must be available that can automatically send jobs from design to print, to cut. If you do not have a plan in your operation to deploy technology across the design-to-print-to-cut spectrum, you are at serious risk from those competitors that do."
他指出，样板制造也面临着巨大的压力。不论是处于上游还是下游的产业链都需要快速升级。产品需要被快速喷印，样板的切割则需要自动化。为了做到这一步，就需要有软件能够提供让产品从设计、喷印到切割全都自动完成的功能。尽快达到这个目标，才能使得你的公司在与其它竞争对手较量的过程中获得优势。
"Finally, the greater ability of software systems to work with cutting and routing systems has fostered more creativity. We are seeing it in the ability to design more three-dimensional displays. It is not a huge trend yet, but it is happening. Of course, digital wide-format output is growing. This means more complex signs, displays and packaging. Textile printing is also growing rapidly," he added.
他补充说，“最后，当切割机和围字机与功能强大的软件相配合的时候，就能够极大地提升创造能力。这样它就能够设计更多三维图像。虽然目前这还并没有形成潮流，但是这个趋势也正在形成。当然，数字宽幅喷印设备也正在发展，这就意味着会有更多拥有复杂工艺的标识、显示牌、外包装的产生。软性介质打印也也在急速的发展。”
More Finishing Solutions on Display
用于的加工解决方案
From cutters to routers, laser engravers to high production finishing systems, there were a plethora of products to help sign shops finish the job. Let's take a look at a sampling of the current crop of finishing products that were on display at the 2013 SGIA Expo in Orlando.
现在有太多的产品可以帮助标识企业完成他们最终的产品，从切割机到围字机，从激光雕刻机到高级的表面涂饰系统。我们可以在2013年在奥兰多的国际标识展中寻找到一些典例来证明以上的结论。
Cutting Edge Innovations at Roland
罗兰公司的边缘切割技术创新
Valade reports that optical registration systems, such as Roland's Quadralign technology, give vinyl cutters the ability to read crop marks generated from a digital printer, and precisely contour cut those pre-printed graphics, providing the user with a powerful and cost effective print and cut solution. The addition of user-friendly software, such as Film & Vinyl Designs offerings (for window tinting and paint protection) and Roland's R-Wear Studio (for Rhinestone templates) have also made it easy for traditional sign makers to transition into these growing markets.
Valade表示像Riland的Quadralign技术这样的光学准配系统，能使刻字机通过数码喷印机读取裁切记号，并能够精确地对图像的轮廓进行裁剪，从而为用户提供了强大以及极具成本效益的切割方案。并且人性化软件的加入（类似于Film&Vinyl设计产品以及Roland公司的R-wear系统）能够使得传统的标识制造商能够快速适应并进入这些正在发展的市场。
"Roland's proprietary Quadralign technology, which allows the optical registration of Roland's GX-640 to read crop marks produced by 64-inch Roland printers, represents a major advancement. Advanced software, such as R-Wear Studio, has significantly expanded the capabilities of Roland's cutters, while also making them easier to use than ever before."
“Roland公司独有的Quaralign技术，它允许罗兰的GX-640系统识别在64英尺的罗兰打印机上材料，这是一个重大的突破。一些像R-wear这样先进的软件，一方面可以增强切割机的能力适用范围，一方面也使得他们比往常更易于使用。
Valade reports that attendees at the 2013 SGIA Expo were able to check out their popular GX-24 Desktop Vinyl Cutter, as well as, Roland's most technologically advanced cutter to date - the Pro GX-640. "We showcased our innovative Quadralign technology, which allows Roland's cutters to be paired with the company's 64-inch print-only devices to form powerful print and cut combinations," he commented.
Vlade报告说，在2013年的世界标识展览会上，与会人员时可以看到他们最受欢迎的GX-24桌面刻字机以及Roland公司最先进的切割机——the Pro GX-640.而我们作为先进的Quadralign技术将能够使得Roland公司的切割机与喷印设备完美结合。
A Trio of ValueCuts from Mutoh
武藤的ValueCuts 整套设备
Mutoh America, Inc. showed their ValueCut cutting plotters, which were rolled out earlier this year. Specializing in long-run cut jobs and precision accuracy, the ValueCut 600, ValueCut 1300 and ValueCut 1800 come standard with a versatile roll support system for easy handling and perfect tracking, multi-segment registration for long-run cut job accuracy, a two-year limited warranty, spare blade, oil ball point pen and SAi Flexi starter software. The ValueCut 1300 and 1800 models include floor stand with media catch basket; both are options for the VC 600 model. These products are said to be ideal for POP displays, decals, stickers and both indoor and outdoor signage.
美国Mutoh公司在今年年初也发布了一款名为ValueCut系列的刻字机，拥有适应长时间工作的特性以及拥有极高的精确性。该系列中的ValueCut600，ValueCut1300和1800设备都配有全方位支持系统以易于处理，并拥有极强的产品追踪性，即便在长期的切割作业下也能保证高的精确度。还配有圆珠油墨喷头、备用刀片以及Flexi Starter软件，保修期限达两年。而ValueCut 1300 and 1800设备则具有地面上的媒体收集框，两者都为VC600模型选项。而这些制作出来的产品能够很好地适应POP展示、贴纸。或是室内或户外的表示需求。
Universal Laser Systems
通用公司的的激光系统
Universal Laser Systems showcased their laser lineup including the ILS12.75, their largest and most versatile platform. Engineered specifically for manufacturing environments, it can handle applications ranging from prototyping to automated manufacturing. The ILS12.75 incorporates a Pass-Through feature, which allows both side doors to be opened to process materials of unlimited length. Universal's ILS platform is also the only CO2 laser system in the world that can be converted between CDRH Class 1 and CDRH Class 4.
通用激光系统公司则展示了他们的产品线，其中包括了他们最大和应用范围最广的ILS12.75系统。这款产品特别能够适应大的制造环境，能够适应从原型设计直到自动化生产的所有应用条件。这套系统两侧的门可以被打开，以处理那些长度较长的材料。通用激光系统公司的ILS平台也是世界上唯一的CO2激光系统，可以在CDRH1类与CDRH4类之间进项转换。
The ILS series offers Universal's Camera Registration (UCR) that features a camera mounted inside the laser system to locate and determine the exact positions of registration marks on printed materials. Software adjusts the predefined cut path to fit the material. A laser system user simply places material close to the correct position in the laser system, and the UCR automatically makes adjustments to the cut path to fit the material where it is placed.
该系列ILS的通用摄像头系统(简称UCR)具有在激光系统内安装并确定喷印材料标记的特色功能。该软件会调整设备以适应预先就确定的切割位置。
Vision Engraving & Routing Systems
视觉切割&路径系统
Vision Engraving & Routing Systems' 1624R CNC Router/Engraver allows production shops to maximize workspace with huge capabilities. Featuring their Vision high-speed Series 4 Controller, a graphically advanced Vision Pro software and Red Laser Pointer for easy job setup, this machine is said to be perfect for a wide variety of applications, including contouring and routing. Applications include: ADA-compliant signage, routing out wood signs and cutout letters.
视觉切割和路径系统1624R CNC能够使得生产车间极大提高工作能力。这款产品配备有高速视觉4号系列控制器，这是一种先进的图像视觉处理软件，以及在该设备上配备的红色激光笔能够让工作流程尽早开始。这台机器不仅性能强大而且能够应用于广阔的领域，其中包括轮廓以及线路处理的相关工作。这些应用领域还包括ADA标识、木质的外置路由器标识以及立体字母标识。
Vytek Laser Cutting
Vytek激光雕刻
Vytek Laser's L-Star Laser Engraving Cutting System is a system that offers versatility, high productivity and low cost of ownership while delivering top-notch throughput for both cutting and engraving applications. The company L-Star 450 Watt is a high-performance Laser Cutting System said to be ideal for plastic fabrication, POP and metal cutting.
Vytek激光设备的L-star激光雕刻系统具有多功能性、高生产率以及低成本的特点。同时，提供一流的对于塑料材质的激光器切割系统，POP和金属切割。
Kern Laser Systems
Kern激光雕刻系统
The HSE Laser System is the flagship model in Kern Laser Systems' product lineup. "The combination of fast processing speeds and superior beam quality over the entire tabletop has made the HSE our top selling model," commented Derek Kern, vice president of sales and marketing at Kern. The HSE100 feature a 52- by 100-inch cutting/engraving area. "The HSE has been very popular with sign makers and wide-format shops," said Kern. "These machines are sold as a turnkey package, and include the chilling unit, vacuum system, computer, monitor and all software needed to run the system. Acrylic, foam, wood and metal are just a few of the materials that are commonly cut or engraved on the HSE laser system."
HSE激光系统在Kern激光公司的产品线中是一款旗舰产品。Kern公司的销售和市场副总裁说，“快速的处理速度以及杰出的激光质量都使得HSE成为我们最骄傲的产品”，HSE100系统拥有52—100的切割面积。他还表示，“HSE一直都受到标识市场以及宽幅喷印厂家的欢迎，这些设备可以做到一站式包装，涉及到包括冷水机组、真空系统、计算机、显示屏以及所以需要运行系统的软件上。亚克力板、发泡材质、木材和金属也是一些需要在HSE激光系统上切割和印刻的材质。”
Flatbed Finishing from Summa
Summa平板喷涂技术
Royce Owen, director of marketing at Summa, Inc. explained that, with the debut of the Summa F Series flatbed in 2010, the financial investment for entering the flatbed finishing market has been significantly lowered, allowing for smaller companies who previously may not have been able to afford a flatbed finishing system to offer in-house finishing/prototyping services to their clientele.
Royce Owen是Summa公司的市场总监，他说，随着在Summa F系列在2010年登场，那些渴望使用这些设备的公司，将在平板喷涂领域的获得更为便宜的设备，这将使得一些规模较小的公司也能够使用平板喷涂系统以向他们的客户提供室内喷涂以及成型服务。
New Summa products on display at the SGIA Expo will include the S Class 2 (S2), the second generation of Summa's S Class range of flagship vinyl cutters. S2 features several substantial enhancements and upgrades to the original S Class, such as a seven-times-faster internal processor, full-color touchscreen display, Ethernet connectivity and the ability to store and run cut jobs directly from the cutter using a USB flash drive.
Summa将在世界标识展会上展出的新产品包括S系列2代，这是第二代Summa公司的S系列旗舰系列刻字机。它具有几个显著的改进以及升级，比如能够七倍于原先设备的处理器、全彩触摸屏、可用以太网连接以使得能够使得操作者直接从USB储存设备上储存以及进行切割工作。
Summa displayed the F Series F1612 Pro Flatbed System, "It's one of the most versatile and affordable flatbed finishing systems available. A brand new F Series routing system is available, expanding the capabilities of the F1612 into new realms and applications. In addition, Summa also showed the usual lineup of DC Series printer-cutters as well as the popular SummaCut Series of vinyl cutters," Owen concluded.
Summa所展示的F系列Pro平板系统是市场上目前最灵活以及最经济实惠的平板加工系统。一个全新的F系列产品也已经上市，它将增强F1612的能力以适应新的领域以及应用能力。另外，Summa也显示DC系列和Summa系列的切割机一样被市场认可。
ZUND Cutting Systems
Zund切割系统
Looking at the most common upgrades to existing ZUND cutting system installations, Alsten has seen significant growth in demand for tooling required for cutting fabrics and also for processing thicker honeycomb materials (Bioboard, Xboard, Reboard, etc.). "These applications require specialized tools and, in the case of fabrics, material-handling options that can easily be added to ZUND cutter configurations."
纵观最常见的对现有ZUND切割系统安装的升级。Alsten已经看到了用于材质切割以及处理加厚蜂窝材料（例如Bioboard, Xboard, Reboard,）等方面需求的增长。“这些应用领域需要专门的工具，尤其是在纤维类材质以及需要手工处理的材质上，而这些都可以被ZUND切割机轻易处理。
"With ZUND Cut Center 2.0, the latest version of the ZUND user-interface and workflow software, we have made the digital cutting process even easier and more productive. ZUND has been focused intensely on providing increased automation on all levels - software and hardware." Alsten added that the focus of their exhibit at the 2013 SGIA Expo will be on further productivity increases, again in terms of software and especially in fully automated material-handling (loading and off-loading).
随着ZUND切割中心2.0的版本的出现，应用于ZUND的用户界面以及工作流程的软件都在加强。我们已经使得数码切割领域更加的便捷以及更加的高效。ZUND 一直把重心放在为不同的层面提供更多的自动化服务——软件以及硬件设备。Alsten补充道，在2013年的世界标识展览会上，他们展示的重点就是自己不断提高的生产能力，以及可以实现完全自动化搬运（装载和卸货）的软件功能。
Colex Flatbed Cutting System
Colex平板切割系统
Colex will debut its newest model Sharpcut Flatbed Cutter System. The Sharpcut is Colex's most productive and value added solution for finishing complex digital display graphics' jobs. "Most shops have a router today, but traditional routers cannot efficiently perform the necessary specialized functions inherent in the versatile Sharpcut," commented Werner Warden, Colex president.
Colex公司的最新的Sharpcut平板打印系统也即将面市。Sharpcut产品是目前最有效益的系统，并同时能够解决喷喷涂领域的数码显示方面最复杂的工作，Werner Warden作为Colex则表示，“大多数商家都有线路系统，但是传统的线路系统不能够有效地执行任务，而在应用领域广泛的Sharcut上则可以做到。
"The Colex cutter/router is special in that it allows finishing technicians to perform intricate cuts with the Sharpcut multi-functional mechanized capabilities. The Colex unique solution is its Triple Interchangeable Tool Head station that selects the proper tool for the job. Unlike most routers, the Sharpcut, in addition to its fixed knife and special oscillating knife for cutting and routing, can execute kiss cutting, creasing operations and V-Cut-90 degree angles as well as routing rigid substrates," he explained.
他解释，“Colex的切割机/围字机允许喷涂工作者能够完成更多功能以及复杂的切割工作。Coles独特的解决方案是因为这个设备可以可以切换最合适的工具，以使得效率提升、工作难度下降。不像大多数的围字机，Sharpcut拥有它的固定和灵活可以双向切换的切割刀，这样就可以执行吻切、压痕操作以及V行90度的对路由刚性基材的切割。
Waden added that the Sharpcut Flatbed Cutter can be equipped with a semi-automatic board feeder, thus increasing productivity substantially while minimizing manual labor.
Waden补充说，Sharpcut平板切割机可配备半自动板料机，从而大大提高了生产效率，同时最大限度地减少体力劳动。
"This provides users with the best affordable digital cutting automation system. The Sharpcut can also be equipped with a digital roll holder, allowing the cutter the versatility to cut blank or digitally printed rolls and boards."
这为用户提供了最佳的经济实惠的数控切割自动化系统。该Sharpcut也可以配备一个数字卷纸架，从而扩大了切割机的适用范围，以切割空白或数字的印刷辊和板”。
Finishing Solutions from Esko
Esko公司的加工方案
Hartman claimed that Esko has been able to integrate the entire value chain, from design to print to cut. "This includes software to oversee the production of projects - and perhaps automate the process - as well as helping to speed up printing and cutting. Print providers must be prepared to handle more jobs of smaller job size with a quicker turnaround. Esko Kongsberg cutting tables and i-cut Suite software - which help coordinate printing and cutting as well as providing efficient methods to build projects (e.g. nesting) - address those points," he concluded.
Hartman宣称Esko公司能够集成整个产业链的每一步运作流程，从设计到印刷再到切割。他总结道，“这其中包括了监督产品制作流程的软件，以及全自动化过程，这将能够帮助加快喷印以及切割流程。喷印服务提供商必须准备更多的产品类型以及向小型尺寸的产品更快的转变。Esko Kongsberg的切割机平台以及i-cut系列配套软件将能够使得喷印机以及切割机相互配合并提供有效的方法来完成工作，比如嵌套。”
