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PRODUCT PORTFOLIO

Star product
Kongsberg Ultimate

Kongsberg describes this next-generation digital cutting table as a game-changer, says Simon Eccles

How does it work?
This is a flatbed cutting and creasing
table with a travelling head carriage that
can take multiple tools. It is digitally con-
trolled from CAD data or cutting and
creasing layers within artwork files.
There’s a choice of four bed sizes, with
multiple zones for simultaneous load/
unload while working. The Ultimate’s
top speed is 167.5m/min, compared to
100m/min with the Kongsberg C-Series.
Its acceleration of 2.7G is more than 50%
greater than the C-Series.
The major new features include the
PrecisionDrive system for high accelera-
tion as well as high speed; a new carbon
fibre beam to support the head carriage;
new SmartZone perimeter detection; a
new production sequencing module; and
a new control workstation.
What does it do? to the US OpenGate private equity firm PrecisionDrive combines a high-torque
The Kongsberg Ultimate is an all-new Specifications in 2021, when it was renamed Kongsberg linear motor with a rack and pinion
large-format digital cutting table, Precision Cutting Systems. Kongsberg is movement for up to 2.7G acceleration
intended for corrugated packaging and Working areas 24: now headquartered in Ghent, Belgium, and peak cutting speeds up to 167.5m/
display work. It is the first of a planned 1.68x3.2m; 44: with R&D at its original site in the town minute. Being gearbox-free makes it
family of Kongsberg cutters that empha- 2.21x3.2m; 64: of Kongsberg in Norway, and a produc- more reliable with longer service inter-
3.21x3.2m; 66:
sise high-throughput productivity and 3.21x4.8m tion factory in Brno in the Czech vals, says Kongsberg. The wide-format
precision. It introduces new technologies Republic. traverse beam on the 64 and 66 tables is
including a carbon fibre head beam, high Max material size (no When was it announced and what newly designed, woven from a single fila-
acceleration motors and a new smart conveyor) 24: ment of carbon, wound around a propri-
safety system. Sustainability of manufac- 1.78x3.92m; 44: markets is it aimed at? etary internal structure for high strength
turing is stressed. 2.31x3.92m; 64: The machine was launched on 30 and light weight. Kongsberg says this
There are four bed sizes: the 24 and 44 3.33x3.92m; 66: November 2023, at Kongsberg Customer
models, with bed sizes of 1.68x3.2m and 3.33x5.52m Experience Centre in Ghent and lives- means minimal twisting and bending,
2.21x3.2m; and the 64 and 66 models, Head speed 167.5m/min treamed worldwide. Its first public dem- under acceleration or when generating
with beds of 3.21x3.2m and 3.21x4.8m. onstration was at Drupa, where it ran the 50kg downforce for creasing.
They can all run with either vacuum belt Head acceleration 2.7G completely automatically with a vacuum A new dual-zone safety system,
material transport on the bed, with auto- belt advance plus the large feeder and Kongsberg SmartZone, monitors the
matic feeder and stacker units, or a Tools Cutting, oscillat- stacker units. Target customers are cor- moving head carriage’s surroundings so
robotic material handler arm for greater ing, creasing and per- rugated converters requiring high-vol- there’s no need for a safety cage. Anyone
throughput. forating – three fitted ume multi-batch production, for moving into the first zone slows the head
at once with auto
Stuart Fox, president and CEO of selection packaging or display. The modular design beam (and its status light changes col-
Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems, will let them scale up as required. our), allowing safe activities with unin-
says: “This is the first new machine Price Ultimate 64 is Kongsberg unsurprisingly expects cus- terrupted output. If they move too close
designed from the ground up, so to speak, about £450,000 tomers with the highest volume require- into the second zone the machine pauses
since we became a standalone business, ments to choose the largest table everything. As corrugated is loaded with
which is why this is such a game-changer 30mm210x297mm/600x400mm versions, the 64 and 66. Those with lim- the printed side down, there is an
and not an extension to an existing ited space or smaller product require- upward-facing camera that reads bar
range.” Feed capacity 30mm ments will likely choose the 24 and 44 codes to set up the cutter and select the
Kongsberg’s previous owner Esko sold it models tools for each sheet.
“This is the first new machine designed from the ground up.”

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