Ainsley Signs has purchased a Kongsberg X44 Edge digital cutting table from CMYUK to replace an old CNC machine.
The Manchester-based company, founded in 1952 by Nelson Ainsley, is a traditional sign writing business. Now his grandson Josh co-owns the company with his father and managing director Ian. The company moved into digital production in 1998 and currently runs a digital flatbed and several roll-to-roll printers. Its customer base is predominately the construction sector and services companies from the Midlands to the top end of Scotland.
Mr Ainsley said, ‘Our old CNC machine was purchased in 2012, but rather than a like for like replacement, we decided to invest in machinery that could give us the best of both worlds.’
The company purchased the Kongsberg X44 Edge MultiCUT toolhead model that has a milling spindle up to 45,000 RPM. An integrated camera system ensures precision registration and cutting every time. One of the benefits of the table is that it’s a modular system that allows users to purchase tools as and when required. In addition to the above, Mr Ainsley bought a VariAngle tool that is unique to Kongsberg, which automatically cuts at any angle between zero to 60 degrees without any operator intervention, perfect for producing aluminium sign trays.
Other purchases included an engraving tool plus creaser and box production software. This has allowed the company to start producing its own branded delivery boxes that perfectly fits the signs it has produced.
He added, ‘We were buying boxes in at a certain size that we were using to send out our work. By making our own we’ve saved money, reduced the amount of packaging materials required, and improved our general corporate presentation.’
With the X44 Edge, the company can now print and cut generic banners for the construction industry far more quickly and efficiently than before. Previously, it had the capacity to print and hand-cut a small number of mesh banners at a time which were then held in stock in a process that took approximately three hours. Now with the Kongsberg it can cut an entire 50m mesh roll in under 40 minutes, without the issue of human error.
Mr Ainsley added, ‘I regard the Kongsberg and the Zund as the Rolls Royce of digital cutting. They are pretty much identical in capability but what’s staggering is that the Kongsberg is significantly less expensive. It’s a fantastic addition to our business and has already had instant impact.’
