Purple Global Events Invests in Jwei digital cutting technology from CMYUK

8 hours ago
3 min read

Print Solutions

Purple Global Events has installed a Jwei Jcut 2131 digital cutting table from CMYUK. The investment has been transformational from the get go, enabling this Bedford based custom exhibits, events, and immersive experience business to deliver results that are underpinning further growth.

Prior to this acquisition, Purple Global Events balanced a combination of in-house manual and subcontracted cutting. This approach, however, was vulnerable to bottlenecks, human error, fluctuating supplier lead times, and premium charges for urgent or highly detailed work. The decision to invest in the Jwei came after a period of sustained growth and recognising that the existing production pain points could not handle the demands of fast turnaround exhibition production.

‘It is the best thing we have done,’ said Neil Blake, director, Purple Global Events. ‘Bringing the Jwei in-house has transformed our production – faster turnarounds, greater accuracy, and the confidence to take on more complex work.’

The impact of the machine was evident immediately. Following installation and CMYUK on-site training, Purple Global Events delivered a major stand at the World Travel Market for Jabal Omar, a Saudi resort brand. In addition to graphics, it used the device to produce all elements for this stunning stand. These included floor channels for LED lighting, lattice screens for partner counters and bespoke shapes incorporating acrylic tops, front counter back lit logos, backlit logos to walls, curve shaped box facias, overlay displays to walls, 3D backlit letters, and main curved video wall structures. The project was completed with a three week workshop build and a five day on-site installation at Excel, London.

‘Great training and support meant we delivered a major stand right from install. Without the Jwei in-house, we wouldn’t have taken on the job,’ said Neil.

The 2131 is recognised as a cost effective high performance cutting solution. It has a full feature set that comes as standard including an automatic feeding conveyor, 1800 kW liquid cooled router for powerful milling, Auto Tool Changer (ATC), Universal Cutting Tool (UCT), Kiss Cut Tool (KCT), Electric Oscillating Tool (EOT), Crease Wheel Tool (CWT), V-Cut Tool (VCT), and a modularised cutting head that accommodates up to three sets of tool combinations simultaneously. Speed performance from this table is formidable too, running up to 1200 mm per second, the equivalent of 75 metres per minute, with a maximum acceleration point of 1G.

‘From vinyl and acrylic to wood, Jwei’s multi-tool versatility lets us build complete stands end to end in-house,’ said Neil.

This new investment sits alongside an in-house production eco system that includes a Mimaki UJV55-320 dedicated 3.2 metre wide UV-LED printer. The pairing of these machines has created a tightly integrated manufacturing capability that has enhanced margins.

It is amazing, our efficiency has significantly increased and we are easily making time savings of 50% or more. It means that we don’t have to work as many hours, and staff can work on other areas of production,’ noted Neil.

With all printing and finishing in-house, the business can react with speed and agility enabling rapid reprints and pre-build re-cuts if required.

The versatility of Jwei tooling has enabled accurate and confident handling of a range of materials common to exhibitions and feature builds from complex graphic overlays to structural details. As a result, Purple Global Events is seeing additional opportunities in adjacent sectors such as retail and branded interiors, where accuracy, repeatability, and fast turnarounds are pre-requisites.

The positive experience with finance, training, support and the dependable supply of inks and materials have established CMYUK as a trusted partner. When the time came to invest in digital finishing, the combination of the unprecedented advantages of the Jwei package combined with CMYUK support made for a compelling choice.

‘Investing in the Jwei is one of the best things we have ever done, saving time and introducing us to a new level of efficiency. We are winning a lot more work,’ said Neil.

Looking ahead, the business is evaluating further investments that will extend its advantages in speed to delivery and creative execution. Concluding, Neil commented, ‘Purple Global Events has eliminated the cost of outsourcing, significantly streamlined production timelines, improved quality output, and enabled more space for creative ambition.’