Germany-based XStone manufactures an innovative range of natural stone surfaces for interiors made from recycled stone waste and formed into sheets that are typically sold in 3m x 1m roll format.
The wall covering and veneer surfaces are durable and waterproof and can be used in any interior environment but are particularly aimed at high end interior, retail and POS applications.
XStone UK director, John Sulzmann, joined the business a year ago forming a 50/50 partnership with founder Uwe Riha.
With a background in the UK graphics arts sector Sulzmann is focusing on pushing XStone in the retail sector and making it adaptable for the print market.
He explained: “It’s a micro-cement material which is ground to a very fine powder, mixed with water-based glue and then rendered on to a thin fibre-glass mat which then takes up an impression of natural materials such as travertine rock, timbers, slates and marbles.
“We create a silicon mould which becomes the negative for the roll to be produced. It is then either coloured in the factory using pigment dyes and washes or it can be digitally printed.”
Sulzmann added that the white version product can be printed using a flatbed or hybrid devices while XStone’s general malleability means it can also be used for wrapping items.
“This is a new and exciting product, people shouldn’t be afraid of it, it presents some fantastic opportunities and I want people to play with it,” he states, adding that he is looking to expand the operation through identifying distributors and resellers.
XStone UK doesn’t run any of its own print equipment but rents factory space within Warmley-based printing, branding and signage firm 2601, which runs a variety of wide-format kit including HP and Mimaki.
Sulzmann said that the new JWEI JCUT Pro-2131, which was installed at the site by CMYUK in January, is being used for R+D work and to cut the base PET material for products such as its patented acoustic surface product, Acustone.
Designed as a sound absorbent surface for various settings in the hospitality, workplace and residential sectors, Acustone is made from a composite PET polyester with a felt base and XStone top-layer.
“It was vital for us to bring a quality finishing solution in-house for cutting and fabricating. We needed it to be automated to maximise production, reduce human error, and keep costs to a minimum,” said Sulzmann.
“Cutting tables in the industry are a high-ticket item and therefore cost will almost always be a factor in the decision-making process. The JWEI range offers unique exceptional valuewhen compared with other manufacturers,” he added.
He said the machine was playing an integral part of XStone UK’s growth and he hoped to add additional units in the near future.
There are three cutting tables in the JWEI JCUT Pro range, the 1625, the 2131 and the 3230 retailing at £64,995, £69,995 and £89,995 + VAT, respectively.
The devices are all fitted with OptiScout Vision controller software to enhance accuracy and run at speeds up to 1,200mm/s. They feature separate vacuum zones for lay-flat consistency, an automatic feeding conveyor, 1800kW liquid-cooled router, auto tool changer, universal cutting tool, kiss cut tool, electric oscillating tool, crease wheel tool, V-cut tool and a modularised cutting head that accommodates up to three sets of tool combinations simultaneously.
