Could Zund Flatbed Cutters Transform the Way You Work?

The Zund G3 Flatbed cutter is a revolutionary model that turns a simple cutting machine into a multifunctional production system. It is a fine example of how far cutting technology has come over the years.

The original cutting machines date back over 100 years, invented to assist with fabricating and developing custom shapes and designs from prints or materials. Over time these have evolved from hand-operated tools to advanced computer-assisted machinery that come in multiple forms, each designed for certain tasks.

How Zund Flatbed Cutters work

Flatbed cutting, in general, is suitable for a wide variety of materials including fabric, fibre, foam, foil, paper, plastic, metal, rubber, composites and laminates. It is also well suited to cut other materials that cannot be efficiently cut on a roll, such as thick reflective pieces of vinyl, magnetics or thin materials such as window tint.

The sheet of material is laid flat on the cutting table. Meanwhile, the Zund G3’s computer-aided system, complete with cameras and detachable cutting modules, moves the cutter head along the x-axis and/or y-axis to easily slice through the material in a user-designed pattern. Due to its computer-based dependence, it also has the ability to replicate designs exactly like the previous, if required. For projects where multiple, identical cuts are required, modern flatbed cutters are ideal.

Given the adaptability to materials and the versatile capabilities of the equipment, it’s obvious as to why flatbed cutters, such as the Zund G3, have become a must-have tool for professionals and amateurs alike within numerous industries.

The Zund G3 however, sets new cutting standards over traditional flatbeds. It is able to process even thicker materials (up to 50 mm thick). It can also produce an automatically controlled vacuum for any task, whilst reducing energy consumption and operating costs when compared to others. It takes safety to the next level with its advanced system, including light barriers and 4 emergency stops.

Advantages of a Flatbed Cutter

All flatbed cutting plotters are designed to vastly speed up the cutting process for a given project versus manual. In fact, they’re designed to not only cut down on time but also reduce the number of people needed. Compared with cutting by hand, computer-aided flatbed cutters are able to quickly and accurately cut through the wide range of materials with great precision, allowing you to create a large range of shapes in all sorts of material. Results can be achieved through simple outlines or more complex concepts.

Creativity is not lost and flexibility is often enhanced. Another benefit of a flatbed cutter is that it reduces the potential for human mistakes, improving efficiency and productivity. As a result, a company or individual will see a reduction in cutting costs over time, for an effective return on investment.

The Zünd G3 Digital Cutter, for example, specialises in eliminating the bottlenecks in the finishing department. The advanced flatbed cutter/router is capable of automating all cutting and trimming functions, specifically to sustain 24/7 operation, something a manual cutter would find more difficult. It is also ergonomically designed to save time for its users.

Despite these efficient benefits, the main advantage of the Zund G3 is that its design is modular. It allows for a maximum of 3 different modules to be used in combination. This turns a simple cutting machine into a multifunctional production system.

For further information regarding the Zund G3, see here.

Is a Flatbed Cutter right for you?

However you use a flatbed cutter, it is a definite improvement to manual work. The flatbed cutter is not the only example of a cutting machine though and may or may not be the right tool for you. It all depends on the intended uses and what you’re looking for.

The flatbed style is more suitable for processing thicker or stiffer materials, producing larger parts, and completing small orders or short production runs, without limiting your creative edge.

On the other hand, if intricate designs with high precision and large production runs are needed, then other manufacturing applications might be more suited. Other cutting systems such as rotary cutting or laser cutting are available.

Rotary cutting

Rotary cutting is suitable for a range of materials including thin metal, plastic, paper, foam, fabric, and laminates. They’re better equipped for rolls of material and due to their design around this, they are much better adapted to completing long or large production runs in a short space of time. Whilst the flatbed cutter is designed for ease and productivity, rotary cutters can manage multiple operations (in line) and maintain a constant cutting speed and pressure.

However, this method of cutting has higher tooling costs and smaller maximum material sizes. It also requires more effort to gain a return on investment. The initial upfront cost necessary to purchase and set up the rotary cutter means it is sometimes an option that is out of reach to some smaller businesses. It depends whether you’re able to make full use of the advantage it provides to turnaround times.

Laser cutting

Laser cutting is a non-contact process which is suitable for metal and non-metal materials. Compared with other cutting methods, it has greater accuracy and ensures higher quality edges. It also wastes less material due to its cutting precision. Due to the non-contact nature of the laser and the containment of the cutting process, there’s less chance of mechanical error and fewer accidents.

On the other hand, however, the laser cutter is a lot more limited in terms of materials that are suitable. For example, using a laser to cut plastics could result in harmful gases being released into the workspace.

There’s a higher amount of energy required to operate a laser cutter and therefore higher power consumption too. The initial cost of the laser cutter is usually much higher than a flatbed cutter and given that there are fewer compatible materials, it’s likely not worth the cost unless you’re in the appropriate niches. Again, just like the rotary cutters, laser cutters are very expensive and you need to guarantee a sufficient workflow to make back the investment quickly.

The affordable way to transform your work

For professionals and amateurs alike, Flatbed cutters are normally the more affordable option. Given the new level of advanced technology behind the Zund G3, it provides many clear advantages over other cutters regardless of type.

If a Zund flatbed cutter seems like the ideal option for you to improve your productivity, then SSE Worldwide can help you transform the way you work. SSE Worldwide also has a range of high quality, used flatbed cutters that act as an even more affordable option and therefore a quicker return on investment. Brands available include Zund, Kongsberg, DYSS, Summa and others.