Manfrotto UK, a leading manufacturer of lighting control products for the photographic industry, has seen streamlining of its operations after installing a new Zünd G3 digital cutting table for fabric processing.

Part of the Vitec group, Manfrotto UK facility, based in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, had previously utilised a labour-intensive, manual, multi-layered fabric cutting process. According to the company, this resulted in consuming fabric and labour hours in advance of requirement, contrary to the lean processes and methodologies Manfrotto now employs. In order to streamline this element of the production process, the manufacturer decided to invest in a digital cutting table one month ago.

Smooth production

According to Ken Brown, Operations Manager at Manfrotto UK, since the Zünd G3 was installed, it has enabled a significant reduction in product manufacture floor-to-floor time. The company now also has a cost effective flexibility that can react to fluctuations in customer demand, reducing product lead-time to hours in place of what used to take days.

"Additionally, the labour force previously employed on manual cutting operations has been re-deployed into value-added activities within the product manufacturing processes. The G3 is now the catalyst for our 'pull-through' lean methodology and is the hub of our manufacturing operation,” explained Ken Brown.

Flexible capabilities

According to Ken Brown, Operations Manager at Manfrotto UK, Zünd was selected for its UK-based service and support team, technical success across multiple industries and materials, market-leading position in the UK, and its cost-effective solutions. Moreover, Zünd was seen as the best fit for Manfrotto and its step-change to lean processes.

"The flexible capabilities of the Zünd G3 provide a solid platform from which to achieve these goals," explained Ken Brown. "The investment was more than a replacement for manual processes, it was a means to further develop lean practice in the workplace."

Energy-efficient

"The Zünd G3 is an ideal machine for Manfrotto as it can handle so many different materials, up to 50mm thick, with an adjustable, energy-efficient vacuum table ensuring a professional finish – a must-have for photographers,” said Peter Giddings, Sales Director, Zünd Plotting Systems (UK) Ltd.

"Like all Zünd digital cutting tables, it can also be retrofitted with components and tools from our wide range so can grow as Manfrotto's needs change."

Manfrotto has already opted to take advantage of Zünd systems' modular configuration and intends to add another cutting module before the end of 2016. This will enable the production team to cut foam up to 12mm thick.

www.zund.co.uk