| 1973 |
The factory of Summa (then Bausch&Lomb) in Belgium opens for the purpose of assembling and distributing analogue recorders to the European market. |
| 1984 |
Summa (Houston instruments) introduces its first cutting plotter, based on the DMP-series pen plotter for a 3M project in Europe. |
| 1985 |
Bausch&Lomb sells its Houston Instruments Division to Ametek Inc. It positions and introduces Summa (Houston Instruments) firmly in cutter, pen plotter and digitizer markets. |
| 1987 |
Summa (Houston Instruments) introduces the first generation of vinyl cutting plotters for the sign-making industry: the DMP40V. |
| 1988 |
Summa (Houston Instruments) introduces a new generation of professional large format pen-plotters for the drafting industry: the DMP-60 series. |
| 1989 |
Summa (Houston Instruments) breaks through on the global sign market with the introduction of wide model vinyl cutters: the DMP-67C and DMP-68C models. |
| 1990 |
Summa (Houston Instruments) introduces the very first sprocket and friction driven large-format DMP100V cutting plotter. |
| 1990 |
The merger between Houston Instruments and Summagraphics Inc. further establishes the company as a leader in the design, manufacture and sale of vinyl imaging equipment for use in the sign-making market. |
| 1991 |
Summa (Summagraphics) releases WinPlot, a powerful and feature-rich cutting software, developed exclusively for users of Summa (Summagraphic) branded cutters and available as a free download. |
| 1992 |
Summa (Summagraphics) introduces the T1000 vinyl cutter, the successor of the DMP100V, the world’s first combination sprocket and friction feed cutter. With its tangential cutting head and wide cutting ability, the 40 inches T1000 gains instant popularity in the monument market, which was previously confined to 15-inch width sprocket-fed media. |
| 1993 |
Summa (Summagraphics) introduces SummaChrome, the world’s first wide-format thermal transfer printer for the sign industry. |
| 1994 |
Summa (Summagraphics) introduces SummaSign, the world’s first series of high-speed vinyl cutters available in Tangential and Drag-Knife models. Patented tracking technology on SummaSign helps to establish Summa’s reputation for being the most accurate tracking plotters in the sign industry. |
| 1995 |
Summa (Summagraphics) introduces OPOS, an optical positioning system for SummaSign Pro cutters. OPOS puts Summa (Summagraphics) firmly in the lead for automated contour cutting of printed vinyl graphics in anticipation of the exploding digital printer market. OPOS remains the dominant technology of its kind to this day. |
| 1996 |
Summa (Summagraphics) introduces the second generation of the SummaSign Series. The SummaSign Pro sets new industry benchmarks for speed, tracking accuracy and thick material cutting force. SummaSign Pro quickly becomes the best-selling vinyl cutter in the performance-conscious European market. |
| 1996 |
Summa (Summagraphics) introduces the first generation of the SummaCut Series, the world’s first entry-priced vinyl cutters to offer performance that rivals the competition’s high-end cutters. |
| 1996 |
Summa (Summagraphics) sells SummaChrome printer technology to WestComp Inc. |
| 1997 |
Summa (Calcomp) introduces SummaPaint PC 1500, its first integrated inkjet printer/cutter. |
| 1997 |
Summa (Calcomp) enters into an OEM agreement with WestComp to distribute SummaSign Pro cutters under the DuraCut brand label. |
| 1999 |
Summa introduces its second generation of the SummaCut Series. The SummaCut D60 (24-inch) vinyl cutter erases the lines between entry-price and high-end vinyl cutters, and consequently rapidly becomes the best-selling Summa cutter in the company's history. |
| 1999 |
Summa introduces Summa ColorControl software, high-speed RIP software for DuraChrome printers to further expand its integrated offering in the vinyl printing and cutting markets. |
| 2000 |
Summa enhances the SummaCut line with the introduction of the SummaCut D120 (48-inch wide). The SummaCut D120 also features the industry’s first USB-port connectivity. This way Summa further expands its popularity and enhances its appeal in the Macintosh market. |
| 2001 |
Summa introduces the Summa DC2, a second-generation DuraChrome, with the industry’s first Smart Ribbon technology, which automatically identifies ribbon colours and adjusts the printer to optimal settings for each colour. |
| 2002 |
Summa expands its company-owned factory in Gistel, Belgium in order to broaden manufacturing capacity in anticipation of a new product under development, thus nearly doubling its size. |
| 2002 |
Summa introduces the Summa DC3, a new printer from the ground up and the world’s first wide-format thermal transfer printer to combine low-cost operation with totally integrated print and cut operation. |
| 2004 |
Summa introduces the new SL line of SummaSign Pro cutters. Among their many enhancements, the SummaSign Pro SL D-Series and T-Series cutters feature improved firmware programming, more onboard memory, USB connectivity, and an updated OPOS optical positioning system as standard equipment. |
| 2004 |
Summa releases the DC3 Plus, which includes the previously optional OptiPrint media pre-cleaning system to further ensure debris-free printing. |
| 2004 |
Summa introduces the new SE line of SummaCut cutters. SummaCut SE cutters feature new deluxe stands with adjustable front and rear media baskets and the OPOS optical positioning system as standard equipment. |
| 2004 |
Summa introduces OPOS 2.0, an updated optical positioning system with automated routines for repeat die-cutting of multiple copies from both sheet and roll-feed materials. The OPOS 2.0 system is made standard on all SummaSign Pro SL and SummaCut SE cutters. Users of the original OPOS system are upgraded to OPOS 2.0 at no charge. |
| 2005 |
Summa introduces the all-new Summa S Class line of premium vinyl cutters. Summa S Class cutters offer a host of new features, which are new to the vinyl cutter industry and consequently further extend Summa’s position as the technology and innovation leader in the vinyl cutting industry. |
| 2005 |
Summa introduces OPOS X, an all-new version of its industry-leading optical positioning system. Among the many enhancements is a new X-sensor, which scans the full light spectrum to enable OPOS X-equipped cutters to precisely locate registration marks on a wide range of printed output, including images with thick over-laminates. The OPOS X system is available exclusively on Summa S Class vinyl cutters. |
| 2005 |
Summa launches WinPlot, the first free bridge software program, designed exclusively for Summa cutting equipment. |
| 2006 |
Summa introduces Summa DC4, its fourth generation DuraChrome-class printer. Combining a wider width with the variable width media of earlier DC printers. With the automation and built-in contour cutting of the Summa DC3 printer, Summa DC4 further establishes Summa’s dominance in thermal transfer printing technology. |
| 2006 |
An automated roll-up system upgrade and optional media rack are made available for Summa S Class S140 and S160 models. |
| 2007 |
Summa begins the next evolutionary step in thermal transfer printing with the smaller and more affordable Summa DC4sx. The DC4sx combines high image durability with precision contour cutting into one compact device, making the DC4sx the ultimate label and decal production unit. |
| 2007 |
The SummaCut Series is given an extensive redesign with bold new styling and a vast number of enhancements, the most notable being the addition of the OPOS-X contour cutting alignment. With its premium feature set and extensive model lineup, the SummaCut Series is a performance/price leader bringing strong competition to the pro cutter market. |
| 2008 |
Summa announces OPOS CAM, a revolutionary and highly-advanced contour cutting alignment system for S Class series vinyl cutting plotters. Using intelligent camera optics and camera control software, OPOS CAM has been uniquely designed to meet the demanding needs of wide-format graphics companies and inkjet printer manufacturers. The new camera upgrade option significantly increases speed and media options for Summa’s premium line of contour cutting vinyl cutters. |
| 2009 |
Summa S Class Wireless is introduced as an available factory upgrade option on new S Class models. As the industry’s first wireless solution for friction-driven drum cutters, S Class Wireless offers increased flexibility and workflow productivity by allowing users to output to multiple S Class cutters from a single computer or output from several computers to one S Class machine. |
| 2010 |
Summa launches its first flatbed cutter out of the new F Series, called the F1612, the first extremely versatile and powerful flatbed cutting system, imbued with Summa’s legendary high-performance plotting technology. A vast array of modules and tools are also made available to handle the vast landscape of applications and workflows the F Series can accommodate. Coinciding with the launch of the F Series is the release of the SummaFlex Pro front-end application as well as the standard-delivered table control software AxisControl. |
| 2013 |
Summa announces its latest advancement in vinyl cutting technology with the launch of the Summa S Class 2 (S2) product line. The S Class 2 is the next generation of Summa’s world-famous wide-format S Class series vinyl cutters. With a host of advancements, it is built upon a foundation of expertise gained from over a quarter-century of manufacturing the world’s highest quality cutting plotters. |
| 2014 |
Summa launches the DC5 and DC5sx, the company’s fifth-generation thermal transfer printer-cutters for sign making and displays graphics. The new DC5 features an array of enhancements designed to increase connectivity, productivity and ease of use. The new Summa DC5 is available in both 30 and 54-inch widths. |
| 2015 |
Summa launches the F Series model F2630, the big brother of the F1612. The same modules and tools can be used on the F2630 as the ones on the F1612 in order to handle even larger media without compromising on performance and functionality. |
| 2015 |
Summa expands its premises in Gistel, Belgium with a new addition to their existing facilities in order to accommodate the significant growth in sales. |
| 2016 |
Summa welcomes the investment company GIMV on board as a new partner in order to achieve increased international growth and optimize the innovation and marketing of our products and services. |
| 2016 |
Summa launches the F Series F1330. The F1330 mainly focuses on the processing of rigid board material (4 by 8 foot) for the US market, cutting vinyl and applications in the traffic sign market. Again the same modules and tools as the ones on the F1612 and F2630 can be used on the F1330. |
| 2017 |
Large Format SummaCut models updated with LAN connection. |
| 2017 |
Summa establishes Summa America LLC in Boston to more effectively serve the dealer channel in North and Latin America. |
| 2018 |
Launch of the F Series model F1832. |
| 2018 |
Summa acquires CadCam Technology based in Nottingham, UK, which becomes Summa's laser division, expanding business in laser cutting technology for the textile and other industries. |
| 2018 |
Launch of the F Series models F3232 and F3220. |
| 2019 |
Launch of Summa's very own software GoProduce. |
| 2019 |
Launch of the first Summa branded laser cutter L1810, as part of the L Series. |
| 2019 |
Launch of the L Series model L3214, introducing the highest productivity one can imagine. |
| 2021 |
Launch of the Summa S One Series of excellent mid-level roll cutters where quality, ergonomics and efficiency are key. |
| 2021 |
Summa embarks on a partnership with Ergon that acquires Summa from Gimv to continue investing in the planned growth. |
| 2022 |
Launch of the L1810 2nd generation laser cutter, a robust and productive laser cutter, built to deliver reliable quality and precision. |
| 2022 |
Summa acquires Valiani based in Italy, manufacturer of Digital Die Cutters specialised to picture framing and sign making. |
