The L3214 is a 3.2m-wide flatbed laser cutting system that cuts at up to 1.5m/second, with soft signage applications generally processed at 280m/hr linear or 810sqm/hr, according to senior digital finishing product specialist Randi Kerkaert.

Belgian manufacturer Summa has introduced the L3214 as the latest edition in its L Series of laser cutters, which already includes the 1.8m-wide L1810 and L1810 Vision devices. The newest device is available to order now, with delivery expected to begin in four to six months.

Kerkaert said: “The L3214 is the fastest cutting system in the world because it is a continuous system. It scans the image and converts it to a cut file, then it starts to cut and will never stop even when the media is being transported.

“We looked at our competitors, which are mostly the knife systems, and found that we can offer at least three times more productivity with the L Series at a lower cost and with a smaller footprint.

“A lot of soft signage printers in the 3.2m market are still doing their finishing through manual process and so we decided that they needed a machine that is fast enough to be bundled with the high-speed printers and provide high accuracy at a reasonable price.”

Summa has sought to enhance the L3214’s productivity by using an “on-the-fly” cutting concept which allows for continuous scanning and cutting of the material while feeding it segment by segment.

Kerkaert said the firm’s distribution network was “taking shape” and that it would continue to seek partners with the right knowledge of the 3.2m market.

Summa is exhibiting on stand A5-F20 at Messe Munich this week.