Interview with Marco Capoferri, Head of Product & Business Development of SEI Laser at Print4All.
We’re exhibiting here in Rho Fiera Milano with several machines for labeling and general converting—including corrugated applications. For this segment, we are presenting our complete finishing line called X-Wave Converting, designed for cutting, creasing, and handling from pallet to pallet. Unfortunately, the full system is 17 meters long and too large to be displayed at the show, but we have brought several product samples processed on the machine.
The concept of the X-Wave is an end-to-end finishing solution for corrugated sheets, handling sizes up to 1600 × 2400 mm. Its standout feature is a laser-based cutting station, which is a new approach in this market. Traditional flatbed solutions rely on mechanical tools—cutters, routers, and so on. Our solution replaces mechanical cutting with laser technology. Creasing, however, is still done with a conventional rounded tool.
The line also includes a feeder, an alignment table, and a delivery station. The reference table precisely aligns each sheet with the cutting and creasing system.
SEI S.p.A. is an Italian company based in Curno, Bergamo, specializing in the design and manufacturing of advanced laser systems. Founded in 1982, SEI serves industries such as visual communication, lighting, interior design, packaging, and converting, offering solutions for laser cutting, marking, and engraving.
Key Benefits
The main advantage of the X-Wave is its productivity. Compared to traditional flatbed plotters using knives, we can deliver three to eight times higher output, depending on the application. I can show a video later, but right now I’ll share a few samples.
Here is a custom display stand, developed with a client who calls it the “New Yorker.” It’s built from 3.2 mm double-wall corrugated board and produced at a rate of approximately 120 units per hour, equivalent to 240–250 m²/hour—matching the output of leading multi-pass digital printers like Durst with water-based ink.
The X-Wave targets both custom packaging and point-of-sale displays, working with materials from 1 mm cardboard up to 7–8 mm double/triple wall board. Though the machine has thickness limits, this range covers most production needs in the corrugated segment, typically around 3–4.5 mm.
Another key strength is design flexibility: lasers can cut any shape without tooling limits, unlike traditional blades.
Additionally, the pallet-to-pallet continuous workflow minimizes downtime by eliminating stop-and-go movements.
Workflow Overview
The finishing line is composed of five stations:
- Automatic Feeder – Positions sheets on a reference table using a scanner and camera to detect orientation.
- Creasing Module – A mechanical creasing unit with a dedicated conveyor. The sheet moves continuously; software adjusts the conveyor speed dynamically, eliminating stop-and-go cycles.
- Laser Cutting Module – Uses the same motion control platform. This station cuts, perforates, or micro-perforates via laser. A patented conveyor system allows laser processing without damaging the printed reverse side.
- Delivery Module (“Sticker”) – Mirrors the feeder design and includes a vacuum conveyor to release each sheet on the fly, again without stopping the line.
The overall process speed depends on the cutting layout, not the creasing or feeding. For example, the display I showed takes about 25 seconds to cut, but creasing, loading, and unloading occur in parallel.
Laser dramatically reduces cutting time compared to mechanical systems—often several times faster—making it a cutting-edge solution for digital finishing of corrugated boxes.
— Thank you, Marco—very informative.
— You’re welcome! It’s been a pleasure.
corruga.expert
