St Albans - Point-of-sale specialist Wilmot-Budgen says it has doubled production speeds on two-sheet cutting processes following the installation of a brand new Zünd D3 XL3200 digital cutting table, combined with its existing Zünd Board Handling System. 

Launched at drupa in May this year, the Zünd D3 features two beams and specially developed software to multiply productivity. It is ideal for a wide range of applications including signage and graphics, composites, textiles and leather.

Wilmot-Budgen became the first business in the UK to install a Board Handling System, combined with a Zünd G3 XL320, earlier this year, and opted to keep the BHS after upgrading to the Zünd D3. As all Zünd systems have a modular design, they allow users to change or upgrade tools, material handling systems or – as Wilmot-Budgen chose to do – the whole cutting table. 

Indeed, the Surrey-based company ordered the Zünd G3 for its digital department based on the agreement that it would be replaced by the double-beam Zünd D3 after its unveiling at drupa.

"We had been keeping an eye on Zünd's R&D and when we were told about the new Zünd D3 we made the purchase based on having it installed after its launch," said Peter Burford, Operations Director at Wilmot-Budgen, at the time. 

"We were the first business in the UK to have the Board Handling System and are really pleased with it. It feeds, cuts and delivers material automatically allowing for longer runs to be unattended."

Wilmot-Budgen had already seen an increase in turnaround times and productivity after adding the new Zünd G3 table, and has achieved even more improvements since this was swapped for a Zünd D3. 

"Having taken delivery and installation of the Zünd D3, combined with the Board Handling System, the production speed on two-sheet cutting has doubled as anticipated," comments Peter Burford.

"We have seen a further speed increase on single-sheet cutting due to optimisation in the software to take advantage of the dual beam configuration. Unattended operation levels are high and we now have 24-hour production on the system."

The Zünd cutter complements all forms of flat card point-of-sale and free-standing display units on corrugated and solid board materials used by Wilmot-Budgen.

"The Zünd D3 was designed to double productivity and we're delighted that Wilmot-Budgen has achieved that and more," says Peter Giddings, Sales Director, Zünd Plotting Systems (UK) Ltd. "By running 24-hour shifts it is proving how its automation and robustness can multiply output.

"Combined with the Zünd Board Handling System, Wilmot-Budgen's Zünd D3 cutting table is probably the most efficient POS prototype production system in the UK."