Ever wonder what happens with all those samples cut by the thousands at tradeshows? So did we! As excited as we are about introducing the
Zund fully automated Board Handling System (BHS) at the upcoming show, we quickly realized we needed a better plan for all the materials this
high-volume production system will be producing in three 8-hour shifts at SGIA...
In an effort to keep from simply adding to the local landfill, we apporached the National Mutiple Sclerosis Society and, together with our partners*,
devised a simple solution: we will produce, and ship back to NMSS for distribution, all the posters, decals, and magnets a Zund BHS can cut
out in three days of tradeshow--all featuring distinctive, contour-cut designs.
Zund will be cutting, and cutting, and cutting--not for the landfill, but to support NMSS in their fight for a World Free of MS!
We hope you will join us at SGAI 2012 to see the Zund G3 with BHS in high-volume production mode--cutting at its best...
Zünd Digital Cutting: fully automated, unattended production.
“Short-run” and “just-in time” production is today’s standard for producers of packaging and display graphics. The new Zünd board-handling system offers
even more efficient and fully automated digital cutting.
The fundamental advantages of digital cutting are well known by now. The elimination of traditional dies saves cost in production as well as space, since
digital dies require no physical storage. The digital cutting process also makes it possible to create far more complex contours and permits even last-
minute changes. In addition, tighter registration capabilities allow for printing larger sheets, and setup for digital cutting requires very little time.
High process reliability and automation
The new Zünd board handling system, designed for fully automated production of signage, displays, packaging, etc., further accentuates the advantages
of digital cutting. This option, typical of the Zünd cutter concept, is highly modular and can be implemented gradually. With full automation of both the
loading and unloading process, virtually no setup or operator intervention is required. And the Zünd Cut Center software, as always, ensures user-friendly
system operation. All of this combines to significantly enhance productivity while limiting personnel requirements to loading and unloading pallets of
stacked boards and finished product.
In developing this automated material-handling system, care was taken to not lose sight of the need for processing single boards. The accessibility and easy
set-up of the system allows single orders and samples to be produced just as efficiently as the ever shorter and medium runs. Whether for shorter or
longer production runs, the innovative Zünd board-handling system is the ticket to greater efficiency and new opportunities.
The fully automated production system will be presented to the public for the first time at Fespa Digital in Hamburg, Germany, Hall A1, Booth B20.
As a perfect complement to Zund’s newly developed three-dimensional routing capabilities for G3 Cutting Systems, SA International now brings to market the
Zund Edition of their popular Enroute Pro 4 CAD/CAM software.
EnRoute Pro Zund Edition offers a variety of tools for creating unique surface effects quickly and easily. Parametric texturing has revolutionized 3D design,
enabling signmakers to produce amazing results at unprecedented speeds. Rapid Texture uses the shape of the tool bit to generate a 3D surface effect in
minutes! Other EnRoute Pro features include Smart Toolpathing, a complete Nesting Suite, efficient vectorizing, and output verification.
Since Zund launched the G3 series cutting systems in summer of 2008, their adoption by printed graphics producers looking for reduced labor cost and high
levels of throughput across all types of rigid substrates and roll-fed materials has exceeded all expectations. The new 3D routing capabilities will further ensure
Zund’s position as the leading manufacturer of digital cutting systems.
Pete Alsten, Product Manager at Zund America, Inc., comments, “Thanks to our cooperation with SA International, our customers now have the ability to utilize
our cutting systems for exciting new opportunities in dimensional signage.”
“SA International is excited to work with Zund America on this new initiative, and we look forward to a productive partnership”, states John Albano, Director of
New Business Development for SAi.
Digital Cutting Made Easier than Ever with New Zund Cut Center
Following the successful launch of Zünd G3 cutting systems, Zünd is poised to introduce Zund Cut Center, the
first-ever software package to carry the Zund name. The new software is tailored specifically for G3 and
designed to maximize the productivity of the company’s latest generation of multifunctional digital cutting
systems. Zünd Cut Center software dynamically guides the operator through the cutting process by continually
offering best choices based on the material to be cut, available tooling, and quality requirements. Because the
software basically eliminates the need for operator experience or trial and error, it minimizes set-up times, helps
avoid mistakes, and ensures the cutter is running at maximum productivity levels at all times.
With a highly visual and intuitive user interface, Zund Cut Center encompasses all phases of an efficient graphics
production workflow - including designing, planning, printing, and cutting. With Zund Cut Center, customers’
needs can be met faster, with higher and consistent quality and far less effort.
Cutting a job with Zund Cut Center is as easy as reading a barcode or selecting a job from the integral Cut Queue.
Either approach puts an end to the time consuming task of locating a cut file for a new job or for reproducing an
existing one. In addition, a new workflow utilizes jobspecific details (such as material specifications, order ID, due
date, and job priority) to determine when and how a job is cut.
Key features
• Cut Queue for quick file retrieval and access to the production schedule for job prioritization.
• Using the industry’s most sophisticated algorithm, “Best-Fit” compensation corrects for even the most non-uniform
distortions, such as those seen in printed textiles.
• Cut Editor offers advanced editing functions, including router hatch/island fill used to create pockets in rigid
substrates, overcut compensation to eliminate unsightly cuts on inside corners, etc.
“Zund Cut Center is far superior to anything in the marketplace,” says Lars Bendixen, the Sign and Graphics
Product Manager for Zünd Systemtechnik AG. “In cooperation with leading RIP, ERP, and MIS software
manufacturers, we expect to take automated workflow, production planning and reporting to the next level.
The possibilities are unlimited.”
“Zund Cut Center is a direct result of our close cooperation with Grafitroniks, the developer and supplier of the
widely used GTK Cut Pro and Touch & Cut Vision registration software. Their expertise combined with our
knowledge of cutting hardware and workflow requirements were essential to the development of this new
product,” says Oliver Zünd, Managing Director for Sign & Graphics at Zünd Systemtechnik AG.
Zund Cut Center will be demonstrated for the first time at ISA 2010 Sign Expo in Orlando, FL, and again at
Fespa in Munich and Viscom in Frankfurt, Germany.
For Zünd’s 25th Anniversary - Switzerland’s first Minergie-P Industrial
Building
From local company to global enterprise with a recipe for sustained success: Zünd Systemtechnik AG in
Altstätten celebrates 25 years. With the help of, by now, 125 employees and numerous technical innovations,
Karl Zünd has successfully evolved the company from a small business to a worldwide leading manufacturer of
digital cutting systems. The crowning event of the company’s 25-year festivities: the inauguration of the latest
expansion of its headquarters, the first Minergie-P industrial building in Switzerland.
In 1984, the company’s early days, Karl Zünd began distributing Wild flatbed cutters. Within two years, he had
recruited a number of engineers to help develop new tool heads and other add-ons, such as an automatic
advance mechanism for rolled materials. Five years later, he brought the first Zünd plotter, the P-1200, to market.
Multifunctional tool heads and a systematic pursuit of modularity formed the basis of Zünd’s diversification
strategy and, to this day, continue to provide the gateway to many new opportunities.
Today Zünd is the leading supplier of flatbed cutters to the graphics industry worldwide and a close second in
packaging. In the leather and textile industries as well, Zünd is among the principal providers of digital cutting
systems. "These days," as Mr. Zünd sums it up, "we are virtually surrounded by products that come off our cutters-
products that at some stage have been cut, routed, or scored with Zünd equipment."
With its innovative products, Zünd continues to set milestones in cutting technology. A little more than a year
ago, the company launched G3, the third and most advanced generation of Zünd digital cutters/routers.
Just in time for the anniversary, Zünd Systemtechnik AG moved into the third expansion of its headquarters in
Altstätten, Switzerland. The new addition is bound to attract nationwide attention since it is the country’s first
industrial building certified as Minergie-P. It utilizes 5 times less energy than newly constructed conventional
buildings and produces 5 times less CO2. Approximately 12% of total building costs went toward meeting
Minergie-P standards. The building’s future-oriented architecture is a reflection of Zünd’s corporate culture of
responsibility toward man and nature. It combines economic efficiency with sustainability and harmony with nature.
Together with 125 employees and their families, business associates, local community and political leaders,
Karl Zünd celebrated his company’s 25th anniversary and inaugurated the new Minergie-P building. He also
took this opportunity to announce that, at the beginning of 2010, he would formally turn over Zünd
Systemtechnik AG’s day-to-day operations to his sons, Mike and Oliver Zünd. Karl Zünd will maintain his
leadership role in strategic planning, ensuring Zünd‘s continuity in maintaining local roots while exerting global
influence. He will continue to actively participate in management and preside over the company’s board of
directors.
Zünd Cutter Advances Productivity to the Next Level
Zund’s semi-automated production workflow gives customers a way of boosting production. In a standard
handfed production workflow, the time it takes for the operator to react to the machine having finished cutting,
unload cut pieces and waste, and reload the next sheet/board can amount to significant interruptions in the
cutting process. Semi-automated production workflow gives the operator unencumbered access to the loading
area, facilitates removal of cut pieces, increases the window of time available for unloading/reloading, and
consequently makes the machine producing non-stop.
Semi-automated production workflow is based on the conveyorized material-transport system along with a
loading-zone extension and optional extended off-load area. The cutter extensions are available in various
lengths to match common board sizes. Built-in registration guides assure perfect placement of each sheet/
board, no matter whether the material is preprinted or non-printed.
Once the first sheet/board is being processed by the cutter, the operator can add the next one from the stack,
and with the help of the built-in guides, place it in just the right spot for the machine to automatically pick it up.
While one sheet is cutting and the next one is in place, the operator has time to unload and sort cut materials
from the off-load area, reload the next sheet, and possibly even perform other tasks.
This setup not only frees up the operator, it also helps keep the cutter producing continuously. Semi-automated
loading is suitable for most rigid sheeted materials (printed or blank) and can be supplied for all new G3-series
machines. This is yet another way the flexibility of Zund cutters can help customers push productivity to the
next level. For example: G3 and the semi-automated production workflow trippled the productivity at one of
europes largest producers of digitally manufactured corrugated displays!
Handling of wide and super wide-format graphics is difficult and typically requires significant space and effort
to accurately cut and trim. Trimming of banners, posters, roll/pop-ups, etc., is therefore a labour-intensive task
involving high potential for human error and, as a result, considerable rates of waste, reprints, missed deadlines,
etc. To capitalize on this huge potential for cost savings and increased efficiency, more and more digital print
shops are looking to Zünd and implementing the solutions offered by Zünd Digital Cutting Systems.
At Drupa 2008 in Düsseldorf, Zünd will demonstrate a digital cutting system configured specifically for
automatically trim-cutting any rolled materials used in digital printing, including textiles.
In addition, Zünd will be showing a cutting system configured for contour cutting of lighter- weight materials,
such as foam-core and corrugated cardboard, as well as for heavy-duty routing of MDF, acrylic, and ACM
materials like Dibond and Alubond. Last but not least, Zünd will also be demonstrating cutting of displays and
boxes in various materials, foam, varnishing blankets, etc., on a large-format samplemaker cutting system.
The innovative and award-winning Zünd Print+Cut concept with camera-guided registration system makes
efficient processing and finishing of all types of materials possible, no matter whether they are rigid, flexible,
rolled, or sheeted. The benefits of flatbed cutting are obvious: increased productivity, reduction of waste,
minimized personnel requirements, and superior cut quality. At Drupa 2008, Hall 9 Booth C40, visitors can
experience tangible evidence of these advantages.
Handling of wide and super wide-format graphics is difficult and typically requires significant space and effort
to accurately cut and trim. Trimming of banners, posters, roll/pop-ups, etc., is therefore a labour- intensive task
involving high potential for human error and, as a result, considerable rates of waste, reprints, missed deadlines,
etc. To capitalize on this huge potential for cost savings and increased efficiency, more and more digital print-
shops are looking to Zünd and implementing the solutions offered by Zünd Digital Cutting Systems.
At Fespa Digital 2008 in Geneva, Zünd will demonstrate a 3XL-3000 digital cutting system configured specifically
for automatically trim-cutting any rolled material used in digital printing, including textile materials.
In addition, Zünd will be showing a LR-1600 digital cutting system configured for contour cutting of lighter-
weight materials, such as foam-core and corrugated cardboard, as well as for heavy-duty routing of MDF,
acrylic, and ACM materials like Dibond and Alubond.
The innovative and award-winning Zünd Print+Cut concept with camera-guided registration system makes
efficient processing and finishing of all types of materials possible, no matter whether they are rigid, flexible,
rolled, or sheeted. The benefits of flatbed cutting are obvious: increased productivity, reduction of waste,
minimized personnel requirements, and superior cut quality. At Fespa Digital 2008, Booth F70 visitors can
experience tangible evidence of these advantages.
