JWEI JCUT: A Cut Above the Rest

The need for a large-format digital cutting system is very desirable and increasingly necessary if you need to meet the demands of a modern customer base. The words ‘large-format’ can cause some to worry that not only a new machine could be needed, but a new building to fit it in too.

To make cutting, creasing, and engraving viable in today’s market, size actually does matter, so you may well be considering the new building after all. Unless, you take a look at a range of digital cutting machines from JWEI, supplied in the UK by CMYUK – the JWEI JCUT series of digital cutting systems.

One of a number of USPs within this range is that the machine has detachable parts incorporated into the design, meaning it can be transported in smaller parts. This means installation via smaller access and doorways is now viable and you can put thoughts of a new build to one side, making investment more accessible to businesses of all sizes.

A modular design allows the system to be installed in locations with limited access

The machine is robust in design due to a solid steel welded frame giving the rigidity needed for wide-format material processing and the cutting table itself is made of durable aluminium. Quite often focus is put on the design of the cutting head and the capacity and flexibility that this can give. But without ensuring the foundation of the machine is substantial, all the investment will be for nothing.

JWEI has satisfied this requirement on the JCUT-3230 and JCUT-2131 models by using a carbon fibre reinforced variant bringing strength and rigidity but not adding additional weight to the machine overall.
The tool head on the gantry is driven by a DMC servo drive system, with postioning achieved by the use of a linear guide system. To ensure the accuracy of the product, the system can place the cutter in play anywhere on the cutting table with a repeat precision of +/-0.05mm.

Speed is obviously an important factor and the design of the tool head drive system will move it at up to 1500mm/s.

As for the table itself, the vacuum bed is divided into six sections which means the full capacity of the 7.5KW vacuum pump can be directed exactly where it is needed. Vacuum pressure can be easily lost when it vents to the atmosphere, so the ability to close down unneeded sections greatly ensures the product is rigidly held to the bed.

All these unseen key elements of the JCUT range of machines sets a solid foundation for the actual action area of the systems – the tool head.

Tools of Your Choice

A benefit to the JCUT machines is the range of tools that come as standard. These are a Universal Cutting Tool (UCT), a Kiss Cutting Tool (KCT), an Electric Oscillating Tool (EOT), a Crease Wheel Tool (CWT), and a V Cut Tool (VCT).

The tool head itself can hold up to three devices simultaneously which gives the operator a large range of processes such as kiss or through cutting, engraving, creasing, routing, and clever combinations of virtually any surface manipulation.

The tool head has a 1.8KW liquid cooled spindle at a speed of 60,000rpm which gives the ability to cut, crease, or mill a wide range of materials with both precision but also providing a clean surface finish on edges and surfaces. With modern cutting tool materials speed is important to ensure the substrate is cleanly sheared which in turn means the item does not require any post-production work to remove burrs or sharp edges.

With all the speed and tool capacity available, it is clear the JCUT range of machines are capable of high-volume production and there are a number of features that underpin this. The key feature is a cleverly designed automatic tool changer (ATC) which comes as standard on all three machines.

This means the tool head can move swiftly to the edge of the table, drop off and pick up the next tool required for the particular product. It should not be underestimated just how much time this can save, but the other key benefit is reproducibility. The use of an ATC not only makes for a swift exchange of tools, but the system ensures the tool goes into the spindle accurately each time, as well as calibrating the tool each time.

The ATC allows for up to eight different router bits to be stored, then automatically collected by the router. The automation of this process allows for minimal operator intervention and much quicker processing of the job.

Prior to switching bits, the router moves over the ‘cleaning station’ and compressed air is blown onto the existing bit to remove any debris or swarf. The machine then places the bit into the correct station within the ATC then automatically collects the next required bit.

All the router bits depth measurements are done automatically to ensure accurate cutting depths at all times.

Kiss and through cutting capacity can process substrates such as plastics, films, and self-adhesive vinyl and due to the ATC, the finest of cutting passes can be accurately made at speed. Creasing can also be completed with a large choice of creasing rollers available for the tool head.

The tooling head can have a number of other tooling aspects such as plotting pens and polishing work. Once cut, these clever additions mean that when the JWEI JCUT is finished, the product is ready to use.

Handling the Material

The tooling head not only holds the tooling, but registration devices are also located here in the form of laser positioning and camera registration systems. You can set the origin for the next job on the table via the laser cross hairs onto the substrate or table or should the substrate be pre-printed, the camera quickly scans the image and picks up on the relevant marks to position the substrate.

The JWEI JCUT has a number of clever features for maximising production. The gantry can clamp and move the belt to suit the job but also concerning longer substrate, there is a second clamp sat behind the tool head. When deployed it clamps the belt and substrate and by advancing the belt, the clamped material can replenish the table by pulling the substrate down the length of the machine for the next series of images.

When considering whether a JWEI JCUT digital cutting machine is the right fit for your business, there are a number of table sizes to choose from. The cutting area on the 1625 version is 1600 x 2500mm; the 2131 model is 2100 x 3100mm; and finally the largest of the family (3230) is 3200 x 3000mm.

The handling of most materials should be covered by these sizes and materials such as corrugated paperboard, PVC sheet, honeycomb board, flex banner, EPE foams, and PVC plate along with acrylic and thick foam can all be accommodated.

It is also important to mention here, that the cutters are fully serviced and maintained with parts stocked in the UK, and they also come with an 18-month guarantee. This offers huge benefits to businesses looking to buy premium quality cutting solutions at affordable pricing.

Overall, the JWEI JCUT range of digital cutting and creasing systems should be able to satisfy the most demanding of clients.

Statistics

Max positioning speed 1500 mm/s
Max cutting speed 1200 mm/s
Cutting thickness 50mm
Repeat precision +/-0.05mm
Table cutting size
1625 2131 3230
1600 x 2500mm 2100 x 3100mm 3200 x 3000mm

Brian Sims: Principal Consultant, Metis Print Consultancy, www.metis-uk.eu