Macfarlane and AG/CAD
AG/CAD has provided CAD software and cutter solutions to the Macfarlane Group for many years. KASEMAKE packaging design software is used at sites across the group, in manufacturing and distribution, including the original Milton Keynes Innovation Lab.
During the COVID lockdown period AG/CAD and Macfarlane worked closely to develop remote design using the latest V12 version of KASEMAKE. Integration with a cloud based solution enabled the software to work in the field with real time synchronisation of data. This flexibility means that designs created remotely with customers can be sampled immediately at the Innovation Lab.
Heavy Duty Packaging Requirements
Richard Garratt, head of design, explained:
When looking for a cutter solution for the Manchester Innovation Lab, along with retail and eCommerce, there had to be scope for heavier duty packaging to accommodate the demands of the manufacturing industries in the Northwest region and beyond. I visited AG/CAD to view the latest developments in digital cutting and it was clear that the DYSS X5 range best suited our requirements. The machine provides seamless processing of drawings generated in KASEMAKE, high speed production, accuracy, and robust build quality. The DYSS X5-1625T with a cutting area of 1.6m wide x 2.5m long covered our stock material sizes and supplied scope for expandability with additional plug & play tooling.
Camera Guided Cutting
The machine was specified with none contact calibration sensors for accurate cutting and creasing. Once calibrated, tool height positions can be set using unique material profiles in the DYSS front end software. To enable precise positioning of printed media, the DYSS X5 at Macfarlane Manchester was specified with the K-CUT Vision intelligent camera/software system. Richard Garrett says:
The Manchester Innovation Lab builds on the success and experience of the Milton Keynes site. We can invite customers to the Innovation Lab where we can develop a tailor-made solution that examines the complete supply chain. To do this, we have employed the most innovative hardware and software, and this includes the DYSS X5 and KASEMAKE software.
Macfarlane’s new Innovation Lab builds on the success of its first facility in Milton Keynes, which opened in 2016. With an investment of £1.3million, the Manchester site facilities include: Packaging Optimiser software to help reduce cost and measure the CO2 equivalent impact of packaging; an atmospheric conditioning chamber providing precise temperature and humidity testing; a network handling simulator to evaluate real world supply chain issues such as vertical drop and conveyor impacts; and a comprehensive CAD design/prototyping facility to enable same day packaging samples.