News hello

The Eagle C125 conveyor is a computer controlled (CNC) ply-cutting system engineered for single- to low-ply automatic cutting of flexible fabrics; composite reinforcements like fiberglass, carbon and aramid; industrial fabrics and insulations as well as traditional textiles. It has the ability to continuously convey rolled material goods with consistent speed and control. This computer-controlled cutting system requires minimal operator guidance to automatically feed and spread material to the identified start position. The conveyor system is available in nearly a dozen different widths from 60 inches to over 14 ft. wide and several lengths.

Eastman is proud to announce the fall 2019 release of the Eagle-C125 conveyor cutting system in three new configurations.  The latest development features several options aimed to minimize overall factory space required but maintain complete cutting automation for industrial cutting applications. The Eagle-C125 will be demonstrated at the IFAI Expo (Orlando, Florida) on October 1-3 in booth 2136.

The fall 2019 highlight is the release of a new, eight foot length, single-frame design in 60”, 72” and 78” widths. Following 25 years of successful and continued production of longer conveyor systems, the 8ft. configuration is anticipated to answer the need of small and large companies who are eager to minimize production space. The C125 conveyor system is an ideal choice for companies who need to cut long parts, require continuous conveying or simply want to minimize the material handling commonly associated with a static table cutting system. It is the system of choice of thousands of manufacturers around the world for its industrial build, durability of critical components and proven rack & pinion drive system. The Eagle-C125 system features cutting speeds up to 60 inches per second (152cm/second).

The demonstration at IFAI will also highlight several options available to further streamline floor space necessary as well as features that can be built into other, larger size configurations:

• All computer hardware and electronic control mechanisms are contained within the base of the machine, an upgrade from the standard free-standing kiosk (not available for 60” system).
• Positive air pressure may be added for further protection in high particulate environments and meets IP compliance demands
• Computer monitor and workspace are machine-mounted at an ergonomic height and pivot for operator preference
• Internally mounted variable frequency drive for vacuum control and step-up or -down transformer ensure simple access for operators but also eliminates the need for external mounting or additional enclosures (both optional)
• Belt scraping device stops material scrap and debris from going under the machine but also deflects hands from gaining access to pinch points
• Fork pockets welded to the frame for ease of unloading or movement

The Eagle-C125 conveyor system is proudly engineered and manufactured at Eastman’s Buffalo, New York headquarters along with hundreds of other solutions for the cutting room.

Demonstrations will be hosted during the IFAI Expo in Orlando, Florida from October 1-3 in booth 2136. Full list of upcoming events is available here

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Eastman Machine Company, manufacturer of handheld cutting machines, automated cutting systems, spreading and material handling systems announces the release of the Hawk automatic cutting system. The Hawk joins the equipment portfolio as a solution specific to professionals working in the advanced printing, packaging and graphics sector as well as industrial applications like gaskets, foam and insulation which require special cutting applications. Eastman debuted the Hawk TL at the ISA Expo (International Sign Expo) in Las Vegas, Nevada USA in April 2019.

The Hawk is a high-speed, precision cutting system which focuses on the essentials: the work surface is freely accessible from all sides; it has an extremely robust yet slimline traverse cutting gantry; rack and pinion drive system in all axis for slip-free drive; and powerful AC-servo motors and CAN-Bus-steering techniques for high throughput. A multi-functional tool head is the highlight of the system, answering the specific need of packaging and graphics professionals that seek a wide variety of tools on one system. A combinable single and multi-functional tool head with tangentially controlled tool holders is designed to hold up to 7 tools, features controlled depth adjustment and AutomaticEye™ intelligence. For facilities working outside of traditional flat packaging board and soft signage, there is a variety of more traditional tools which can be mounted – a driven “pizza wheel”, a bevel cut tool, and router.

Optional features include, but are not limited to:

• Conveyor system with integrated unloading table
• Motorized and manual unwinding / winding devices for rolled goods
• Camera system for accurate assignment of scaling of prints
• Barcode reader
• Projection of the cutting outline onto the material
• Felt or polyurethane cutting surfaces

The Hawk is available in many working widths and lengths and features cutting speeds of 45 to 90 inches per second depending on the cutting system size, configuration and tool head configured.

Great Pricing on Refurbs & Demo Systems

BUFFALO, New York –Eastman Machine Company, a 130 year-old manufacturing company specializing in cutting equipment, announces that it has appointed iSpecc Limited of the U.K. to represent its line of automated cutting systems and material handling equipment for the composites market. iSpecc will be represented together with Eastman at  JEC World in Paris. JEC World unites the global composites industry over three days. A range of bespoke automated solutions custom-engineered for the industry will be demonstrated in Eastman’s stand (hall 6, stand D59).

iSpecc offer a variety of equipment and industrial services to the aerospace, automotive, energy, defense and advanced composites sectors with in-depth knowledge of capital plant including Eastman cutting systems, robotic production cells, industrial ovens, presses, hot drape formers, RTM equipment and advanced mould/tools. iSpecc assist with; capital plant design, specification, production process optimization and procurement assistance. Their project management division offers professional implementation of capital plant installations whilst their consultancy offers real insight and market intelligence for infrastructure programming, return on investment analysis and advice on compliance to key legislation governing operation of capital plant with guidance on advanced controls for industry 4.0 to increase productivity. iSpecc will take the time to understand your process, production and quality targets and specify the optimal Eastman solution.

A demonstration facility featuring a range of Eastman solutions is expected to be established together with iSpecc by 2020. The site will be open for cutting trials and software training to all customers in the EU.

“We are really pleased to represent Eastman. They have an amazing heritage for engineering really robust machinery with advanced software solutions and they have an ethos of going the extra mile for customers which fits well with our approach”

Nigel Clifford, iSpecc Limited

 

“We are excited about the partnership with iSpecc for a number of reasons, including their ability to localize project management together with the technical and commercial skills needed to address a wide range of customer applications. We look forward to collaboratively growing our businesses.”

Trevor Stevenson, VP Eastman Machine Company

BUFFALO, New York –Eastman Machine Company, a 130 year-old manufacturing company specializing in cutting equipment, announces that it has appointed Polisea S.A. to represent its line of automated cutting systems, material handling equipment and manual cutting machines.

A targeted effort to grow the company’s footprint in Southeastern Europe will be led by the expertise of Polisea’s nearly 25 years of business in the flexible goods industries. Polisea is strategically positioned in south-west Romania with the ability to provide sales, field service engineers, CAD specialists and overall support to Eastman clients across the region. Polisea provides automatic and manual cutting solutions and comprehensive software packages for end users in apparel, furniture, automotive, technical textile and composites. Their business model has been focused since 1995 on selling, servicing and supporting automatic cutting solutions.

“As more production from large companies returns from Asia to the EU and develops these markets beyond 2020, Eastman and Polisea will collaboratively support local businesses through analysis, acquisition and start-up of critical equipment and software investment,” said Robert Stevenson, Eastman’s president and chief executive officer. “The experience, product offering and business network of the two family-owned businesses complement each other and we expect to see real success from this cooperation.”

A demonstration facility featuring a range of Eastman automatic and manual cutting machines is expected to be established at Polisea’s Dolj headquarters within the year. The site will be open for cutting trials and software training to all customers in the EU.

For more information on Polisea please visit www.polisea.ro.

BUFFALO, N.Y., USA – Effective Thursday, November 8, 2018, Eastman Machine Company was certified under ISO 9001:2015 standards by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The certification is a new achievement for the 130 year old Buffalo-based manufacturer and confirms the company’s commitment to ongoing continuous improvement.
ISO 9001 is the international standard that specifies requirements for a quality management system. Eastman acknowledged the importance of establishing a formal quality policy with well-defined and regularly reviewed processes and procedures. Earning ISO certification better positions the company to serve its global customer base. The company’s internal quality policy has been documented to solidify Eastman’s commitment to continuously improve its products to meet or exceed the needs of its customers with the purpose to deliver to them, on time and every time, defect-free products and services.
“This is a tremendous and well-deserved accomplishment for Eastman and all of our employees. It confirms that we meet the highest international standards for quality and process. While we always strove to be known as a company that emphasizes quality, it is an achievement to be recognized. Eastman continues every day to improve its quality to enhance our commitment to our thousands of worldwide customers,” said Robert L. Stevenson – President / CEO.
ISO is an independent, non-governmental international organization with a membership of 162 national standards bodies.
About Eastman Machine Company
The company was founded in 1888 by George Eastman following his invention of the first electric fabric cutting machine. Eastman mounted a fractional electric motor to a platform which was attached to a reciprocating knife mechanism. The invention revolutionized the apparel industry, ending tedious manual cutting-room labor. The company was acquired by the Stevenson family in 1898 and has thrived for five generations as a family-owned and operated business based in Buffalo, NY.
For more information on Eastman Machine Company, please visit www.eastmancuts.com.

Eastman Machine Company, a leading provider of cutting machine technologies, and ExactFlat, a leading provider of 3D to 2D digital patterning software announce a collaboration to increase the efficiency of preparing and cutting patterns with digitally printed graphics.
ExactFlat 3D to 2D digital patterning software is the leading tool set for creating flat patterns with graphics perfectly aligned. Once 2D patterns are created, they can be exported and cut on Eastman’s automated cutting systems equipped with visionPRO. visionPRO combines a high resolution camera system with state-of-the-art software algorithms to scan pattern contours. The result is accurate cut paths around printed shapes, registration marks, or repeat patterns. Use of both technologies can save days or even weeks of production time. visionPRO is an accessory available for Eastman’s conveyor and static table cutting systems.
Companies using legacy drape-tape-cut manual pattern making, or those using cutting systems with only 2D CAD will find the new workflow both faster and simpler. The technologies are ideal for realizing design and cutting room efficiencies in apparel and sportswear, display advertising, automotive, upholstered furniture, and technical textile workflows.  (Click here to see a video example of both technologies in action)
According to Mark Jewell, founder of ExactFlat “the visionPRO system is a major advance in cutting technology. With visionPRO and ExactFlat customers can transform to a 100% digital workflow which saves time and improves flexibility. The use of both technologies also leads the way to dramatic cost savings. Collaborating with Eastman is a natural fit for us. They are an innovative, fast moving leader that puts customer benefit first. ExactFlat is delighted to work with companies that are defining and implementing the next generation of manufacturing technologies. Eastman is exactly that kind of company.”
Trevor Stevenson, Vice President at Eastman stated “time pressured industries are facing challenges that cannot be solved by legacy processes. 3D design is becoming essential and digitally printed textiles are becoming more and more common. ExactFlat is the clear leader in 3D to 2D digital patterning and when implemented with our visionPRO system, customers find the time pressure will be shifted to competitors trying to catch-up. We look forward to providing a superior offering that helps both companies further our respective leadership.”
For more information about ExactFlat 3D to 2D digital patterning, please visit www.ExactFlat.com.
About ExactFlat
ExactFlat is 3D to 2D software for pattern making. For designers, engineers, and pattern makers in all industries, ExactFlat is the most accurate 3D to 2D pattern making software for textiles and composites. ExactFlat is up to 16x faster than hand patterning. It uses the first ever Digital Fabric Simulation for superior accuracy.  Founded in 2008, ExactFlat is headquartered in Toronto, Canada.
Contact:
Mark Jewell
Mark.jewell@exactflat.com
+1 (705) 670-4459
About Eastman
Eastman Machine Company is a cutting machine manufacturer, providing custom engineered solutions and innovative technologies for a variety of industries. Eastman offers the industry’s widest range of classic, hand-held and manually-operated fabric cutting machines; as well as a comprehensive line of fully automated, computerized cutting and plotting systems. Manufactured with the highest quality materials, built to precise specifications, and subject to rigorous testing, Eastman’s line of cutting systems have been setting the standard for over a century. Matched to specific customer needs, Eastman has a solution for virtually every cutting requirement. Founded more than 130 years ago, Eastman is headquartered in Buffalo, New York.
Contact:
Elizabeth McGruder, Eastman Machine Co.
Telephone: +1-716-856-2200

We are pleased to announce two recent promotions within the Eastman organization.

Amy Denning was promoted to Vice President of North American Sales.
Amy has been with Eastman for 15 years and was most recently the Southeast U.S. Regional Sales Manager. During this time Ms. Denning managed multi-million dollar annual sales of the company’s automated line of cutting equipment into markets as varied as marine, aerospace, furniture and sporting goods. She was a key player in securing strategic business relationships with several national trade organizations and in her new role will initiate further alliances to ensure Eastman is the vendor of record. Ms. Denning will lead a team of regional sales managers based in the Buffalo, NY headquarters as well as independent sales representatives positioned throughout the USA, Canada and Mexico. Amy is a graduate of the University at Buffalo and holds an M.B.A. from Medaille College.

---

Elizabeth H. McGruder was promoted to Vice President of European Sales and Marketing.
Elizabeth will oversee a network of independent European sales representatives with a strategic focus on business growth in the composite and tech-textile industries. Over the previous eight years, sales revenue for the territory has grown five times as a direct result of successful responses to technical and commercial RFP led by Ms. McGruder. Through creative sales and marketing communication, client relationship management and targeted development of localized sales and support staff, Elizabeth’s new role is anticipated to strengthen the company’s footprint in a severely competitive marketplace. Elizabeth is a graduate of the University of Dayton (Ohio) and holds an M.B.A. from Canisius College.

Eastman’s President and CEO, Robert L. Stevenson was featured in the February 2, 2018  ‘Boasting Buffalo’ series of Buffalo Business First. A short Q&A session covering topics of personal and professional commitment to WNY; surviving industry changes; and company outlook for 2018.

Overall we had one of our best years last year and we’re very optimistic about 2018. We’re seeing a tremendous amount of activity worldwide. We have diversified the markets we sell into, from recreational boating to advanced manufacturing and aerospace to fishing rods, golf shafts and tennis rackets. I like to tell people that every single day they wear, touch, sit on or travel in a product that has been touched by an Eastman machine.
 

The full article is available for subscribers online at Buffalo Business First or accessed here Buffalo Business First ‘Boasting Buffalo’ 2-2-18

Eastman Machine Company (Buffalo, NY) will demonstrate conveyorized digital cutting and material handling for reinforcement materials including glass, carbon and aramid as well as nonwoven core materials during JEC World in Paris, March 6-8.
Automatic cutting is an integral part of composites manufacturing cells and the investment in this technology must be measured with reductions in manual labor, decreased scrap of expensive materials with improved throughput and quality of cut parts. The Eastman conveyor and integrated unwinding, rewinding and parts collection systems play an essential role in streamlining the queue from rolled goods through marked, cut and kitted parts.
The Eagle C125 conveyor system features an industrial cutting head inclusive of three cutting knives and stylus pen that can optionally be outfit with a router, one of several supplemental printing systems or bespoke tools. Industry-proven for supplying clean, smooth edges when cutting single- to low-ply layers of most flexible materials as well as unique combinations like Lantor Soric® which have an adhesive layer, protection foil and coremat in one. The microperforated PU belt surface ensures distributed vacuum hold-down and is easy to clean, reducing risk of contamination when cutting dry reinforcements, prepregs or core materials on one system.
Rigorous factory acceptance tests at global installations have proven the C125 capable of exceeding 0.5 tons of cut fiberglass per hour when cutting single ply and over 2.0 tons of fiberglass per hour when cutting four-ply. This equates to real operation cutting speeds averaging 90m/minute. This high volume output also maintains published accuracy and repeatability tolerances over parts exceeding 40m in length and equally when cutting small, intricate patterns. Eastman’s industrial grade design ensures the integrity of critical production specifications are preserved and has proven to exceed production capacity of lighter-duty designs in the market.
Also highlighted at this year’s JEC World is Eastman’s JetPRO HR continuous inkjet printer. It is an optional accessory for the conveyor and static table cutting systems. The system features thermal, drop-on-demand inkjet printing technology capable of operating at print speeds of up to 152cm per second. The inkjet interface is available in several languages and capable of printing characters, linear and DataMatrix bar codes plus custom logos/graphics up to 600 x 600 dpi resolution. Easy to change and maintain, the ink cartridge design ensures clean and hassle-free use.
Special celebrations at industry events will be announced as Eastman proudly commemorates 130 years of making material cutting fast and efficient for its customers. Serving customers in more than 100 countries, the company is a global leader in the design and manufacture of manually-operated cutting machines, automated (CNC) cutting systems and complementary software technologies that increase cutting room efficiencies and reduce associated operating costs for customers in the energy, marine, composites, military, aerospace and industrial fabric industries. “We are excited that the company has reached this milestone,” said Robert L. Stevenson, Eastman Machine Company President and CEO. “The company is proud to honor the outstanding contributions and energy of the people who have been a part of our history, and the current employees and customers that are inspiring our future. The continued focus on identifying and solving modern manufacturing problems has positioned the company well for the future; we plan to continue to provide reliable products, services and solutions that benefit our customers.”