EskoArtwork speeds sample making for Europe Match

Europe Match GmbH, the continent’s largest producer of advertising matches, recently selected EskoArtwork’s ArtiosCAD packaging software and Kongsberg XE10 cutting table to speed up production of its product samples.  By combining the popular structural design software with a premium cutting table, Europe Match can now produce high quality samples within hours, which are 100% identical to the final product. The EskoArtwork technology is also used during the pre-production phase to create files for plate layouts and die tooling.

Producing over 1 million matchboxes per day, Europe Match is headquartered in Germany, while the main production facilities in Hungary operate around the clock to meet the demand for the company’s products. With a clear focus on quality and customer service, the company prides itself on reacting fast to the needs of its customers. The investment in EskoArtwork’s technology reinforces this successful strategy, enabling the company to deliver samples of customized products within extremely short time frames. 35% of the project value was financed by EU.
 
‘In today’s competitive environment fast reaction to customer’s requests is critical,’ explained Szabolcs Nagy, IT manager at Europe Match. ‘We’re seeing an increasing demand for customized shapes and formats and it’s imperative to demonstrate what you can offer – quickly. First, we use ArtiosCAD to create a 3D virtual model of the matchbox, complete with graphics.  This is sent to the customer as a 3D pdf. The Kongsberg table enables us to follow up immediately with a high-quality physical model that is 100% identical to the final product. Because there’s no manual cutting or expensive dies, this is an extremely fast process and customers can immediately see and feel what they will get. This makes it really easy for them to make a decision.’
 
The EskoArtwork solution is not only a powerful marketing tool for Europe Match; it also plays an important role in optimizing the production process. ‘Once the order is taken we set up for mass production,’ continued Nagy.  ‘We use the layout and tooling features in ArtiosCAD to create plate layouts and die-tooling. The Intelligent Layout module automatically works out the optimum layouts for lowest cost, ensuring the most efficient use of raw material. With the DieMaker module we can quickly create quality die boards and coating blankets from a sheet layout for both flat and rotary dies,’ he added.
 
The Kongsberg XE10 cutting table is a small-format dieless digital table for cutting and creasing folding carton boxes. Featuring a servo system with accelerations up to 1.2G, resolution of 0.005mm and repeatability of 20µm, the table operates at high speed while maintaining perfect precision. With a work area of 800mm x 1100mm (31.5″x 43.3″), the Kongsberg XE10 can accept material as large as 900mm x 1200mm (35.4″x 47.2″).

The table comes with a range of expandable tooling options including a pressure controlled, high-precision kiss-cutting knife tool, reciprocating knife tool for corrugated and foam board, static knife tool for solid materials and a crease tool for packaging materials. The Kongsberg XE10 can process a wide range of packaging materials including folding carton, single flute corrugated board and synthetic materials such as polypropylene.