Since 1996, Mikkelsen Graphic Engineering (MGE) has focused on the end-to-end automation of graphics production. MGE's flagship i-cut? digital cutting system eliminates the need for dies to contour-cut graphics and can process rolls and sheets of digitally-printed graphics with minimal operator involvement. The system optically guides a cutter/plotter to read printed registration dots and automatically compensates for any distortion in the printed graphic.
To further reduce reliance on manual labor in graphics production, MGE's new Auto Feeder? automatically loads and delivers virtually any graphic material to a large-format digital cutting plotter. The individually controlled suction-lifting devices can handle materials from thin, flexible films to heavy plastic sheets up to 1/2-in. thick including foam boards, Sintra? materials, and heavier plastics such as acrylic sheets. Material sizes range from 8 x 10 in. to 80 x 100 in. When loading smaller sheets, up to 3 sheets can be loaded simultaneously to optimize feeding and cutting time.
Integrated air knives are used to separate individual sheets of thin films such as vinyl, polyester, vellum, and nonporous materials.
Mobile loading/off-loading tables can be used to transport materials from the finishing department to the shipping department.
MGE claims that the Auto Feeder is the only material loader to automatically respond to nonideal conditions. If sheets are unevenly stacked, i-cut can optically compensate on-the-fly within a user-defined search area. (Mikkelsen Graphic Engineering Inc: 262-348-0400, www.mge-us.com)