News

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.

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.”

Eastman is actively seeking independent sales representatives in targeted regions of North and South America; Northern Africa; and Europe. Please contact us if you have a referral and/or interest to discuss the opportunity further.

We’re proud that Eastman machines are used in thousands of factories around the world in markets as varied as aerospace, apparel, energy, safety and protection, upholstery, and recreational sporting goods. Eastman appreciates the diversity of facilities using new and high-tech materials, as well as traditional textiles. Join us in this business opportunity – your experience with capital equipment, composites, industrial fabrics or other high-tech applications are of interest.

Eastman Machine Company, a 130 year-old manufacturing company specializing in cutting equipment, announces that it has appointed Milton Internacional (Leon) Mexico, to represent its line of automated cutting systems, material handling equipment and design software.
Milton Internacional started its operations in 1999 with the purpose of offering high quality products and technological innovations for the manufacture of footwear. Its founder Mr. Alberto Duran has always been dedicated to providing innovative components as well as the highest quality and productivity machinery. Their experience and contacts in growing markets will enhance Eastman’s existing network of distributors around the world.
“Establishing a representative in Mexico will allow Eastman to evaluate opportunities in a variety of markets with an experienced team on location,” said Robert Stevenson, Eastman’s president and chief executive officer. “We are excited about the partnership with Milton for a number of reasons, including their vast international market knowledge and experience in the footwear industry. We look forward to collaboratively growing our businesses.”

Modern manufacturing is dynamic, exciting and high tech. InSyte Consulting’s Cool Manufacturing Photo Contest celebrates WNY manufacturing with images of local businesses, celebrating National Manufacturing Day. Finalists have been selected and Eastman made the cut! Voting ends Sept. 29. You can vote once per day so vote daily!

The winner will be announced on National Manufacturing Day, Oct. 6.

After postponing CAMX 2017 due to Hurricane Irma, we are pleased to announce that CAMX 2017 will be held December 12-14, 2017, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
Details about confirming your registration for the new dates or requesting refunds will be sent via email as soon as possible within the next seven days. Additional information on the schedule at a glance, the Conference Program, and the Exhibit Hall is expected within the next 2-3 weeks. .
CAMX will provide regular updates about registration, housing, exhibitor specific information, and other news to you via email and on our dedicated webpage. Updates will also be available on Facebook and Twitter.
We look forward to seeing you in December at CAMX 2017!

Eastman is proud to manufacture solutions for cutting fiberglass, core, balsa, cotton backed vinyl, outdoor sun/shade materials, marine-grade plastic polymer and PVC foam sheets, carpet and other materials commonly used in the marine industry.

The Eagle S125 is engineered for automatic ply cutting of uni-, bi, and multi-directional glass, carbon and aramids; materials pre-impregnated with epoxy resin; and flexible core materials common to products manufactured for the aerospace, marine, recreational and energy industries. Eastman’s JetPRO HR inkjet printer will be demonstrated on the Eagle S125 Static Table Cutting system at the IBEX Show in Tampa, Florida from September 19-21. Eastman’s JetPRO HR continuous inkjet printer is an optional accessory for the conveyor and static table cutting systems. This 2017 release features thermal, drop-on-demand inkjet printing technology capable of operating at print speeds of up to 60 inches per second.

visionPRO is a high resolution camera system combined with state-of-the art software algorithms to ensure cut paths around printed shapes, registration marks or repetitive patterns is precise and accurate.
visionPRO scans the entire surface of the fabric and is able to identify the entire geometry and distortion of the printed elements. Several modules are available to meet the needs of common application requirements for sportswear, advertising, automotive, upholstery and technical textile needs. The system includes camera and hardware components, visionPRO Software and is an available accessory for all static and conveyor cutting systems.
To read more and download Eastman’s visionPRO information sheet:

visionPRO