EXACT LASER CUTTING AND ENGRAVING SYSTEM
During the Summer of 2024, I had the opportunity to intern at AV Flexologic. With AV, I made several memories, from going for fun Go Karting events to getting the opportunity to visit the largest printing expo in the word, Drupa 2024. All throughout I participated in many projects carried out by the marketing team. But of course, my personal preferences leaned me more towards taking up UI/UX projects. Here is one project that I worked on during my time with the company.
Established in the Netherlands, AV Flexologic B.V. is a leading innovator in the flexographic printing industry, specializing in the design and manufacture of high-quality automated equipment for plate mounting and proofing.
FLEXO AUTOMATION SUMMIT
The Flexo Automation Summit 2024 is set to be a pivotal event for the flexographic printing industry, gathering experts and innovators to discuss the latest advancements in automation and efficiency. A highlight of the summit will be the introduction of Robocell by AV Flexologic.
RoboCELL is a robotic system that offers a complete robotized prepress workflow. It provides robotic sleeve handling (RoboSLEEVE), robotic tape application (RoboTAPE), and fully automatic mounting (FAMM 3.0) of flexo plates. AV Flexologic gave me the opportunity to work hands on on this machine which was demonstrated at the Flexo Automation Summit in FXC, Atlanta, USA.
AV Flexologic
@drupa 2024
My time with AV Flexologic conveniently aligned with the dates for the world’s largest printing convention. I was part of the marketing team in charge of branding assets and production. My team and I worked rigorously during this 11-day event networking making sure the operations run smoothly.
On the picture to the right, I am operating a SAMM 2.0 800. This machine mounts narrow web flexo plates onto sleeves or cylinders with absolute ease and accuracy.
WHY EXACT LASER CUTTING & ENGRAVING SYSTEM
After spending time at AV, I got the space to really think about what I could do to help. As of May 2024, EXACT is AV Flexologic’s newest innovations and my expertise is in software research, designing workflows and interfaces. A machine like EXACT was the perfect “canvas” to start on.
The EXACT Flexo Plate Laser Cutting & Engraving system by AV Flexologic is designed to replace traditional knife-based cutting systems, reducing time and increasing efficiency. The Engraving system can engrave and read QR codes that hold information about the plate.
INPUT & OUTPUT/FEEDBACK LIST
After characterizing the main 6 functions of the software, I started my first sketch.
The main functions being:
Plate Information
Adding Operations
Laser Options
Software Compensation
Camera Settings
Global Settings
After meeting up with my colleague Kasper Verweij, wizard of AV, as they call him, is also a software developer and has developed many incredible softwares like the one for RoboCell by AV Flexologic.
Key changes we discussed:
File menu can be part of the top toolbar
Editing toolbar (shapes and other options) can be on the left
Main input can move from top to the right hand side
Cut option at the bottom right corner
More simplified one-window design
INITIAL RESEARCH
My first meeting with my colleague Jeroen Van Pelt, a Master High-Tech Engineering Student and Intern at AV Flexologic was about figuring out what the machine does, aka it’s capabilities. The best way to do this was —- To have a conversation!
Another colleague of mine, Sander Hesp, Managing Director and Engineer for Leap Frog 3D Printers, helped us with a List of all Input and Output commands and a vague sketch of how it would look if placed on an interface.
A laser cutting system definitely isn’t something normal people use everyday for day-to-day aspects of life and can be characterized as a machine catering to a niche market. For more research into laser cutting systems, we looked at the user journey of LightBurn Software.
Key features to note:
The interface has a dedicated artboard area.
Measurement parameters are on top of the window.
Toolbar on the left.
Input feedback can be given through the right hand panel.
Having a list of input and output commands in place helps tremendously with segregating commands and managing expectations about the capabilities of the machine and the corresponding software. It also helps designing an interface that is simple to grasp and “crisp”.
A good research leads to solving complex problems on the get-go which leads to a user-friendly interface and ultimately, to happy, satisfied and trusting customer base.
INSPIRATION/COMPETETIVE ANALYSIS
EXACT OPERATOR WORKFLOW
INITAL WORK ON FIGMA
The Way of AV Flexologic
Brand guidelines are essential as they ensure consistency and coherence in how a brand is presented across all platforms and communications. This consistency helps to build and maintain a strong, recognizable brand identity, fostering trust and loyalty among customers. Additionally, brand guidelines streamline the creation of marketing materials, making it easier for teams to produce content that aligns with the brand's vision and values.
Knowing thy Style
IMPROVEMENTS
UI/UX design does not have to be complicated; in fact, its beauty often lies in its simplicity. Streamlining software to reduce clutter and complexity enhances user experience by making it more intuitive and efficient. For example, I transitioned from a cumbersome five-window setup to a single, unified window, significantly improving both usability and productivity. This approach underscores that effective UI/UX is about minimizing friction and allowing users to achieve their goals effortlessly.