We've just started a new blog to try to keep people informed about life at Cutting Technologies
Modelmaking components are big business here at Cutting Technologies! We do everything from Robotic Spiders, through Architectural Models, to parts for Trains, Planes & Automobiles. Materials range from Brass for Train Boilers to Fluted Polypropylene for Radio Controlled Aircraft. We've even done Scaled Props for Film, Photography and Television.
We work with many different customers including Architects, Designers, Modelmakers (of course!) and Scientists. As well as cutting we can engrave most materials so, for example, a model wooden train wagon can have the planking detail engraved onto the cut part. We even engrave fold lines onto steel parts so the end user can see exactly what he/she needs to do to finish the model. We can cut parts so they're left in a sheet - allowing the customer to snap them out when making the model, and we can even number the parts to match instruction sheets. We can laser cut large scale models right down to tiny components, and we can scale your part drawings automatically. The designs can be a simple shape, or a complex image - lasers can cut almost anything you can draw, and we save your designs so you can get repeat orders immediately - we really do provide the full service.
Click on the tabs to learn more about why our Laser Cut Modelmaking Service is second to none:-
- Examples
- Service
- Technical
A Laser Cut, Fabricated & Powder-Coated Model of the Eiffel Tower. We made 30 of these as table centres for a Charity Ball - they stood about one metre tall and this is a view of a section showing the detail. The material is 1.2mm Mild Steel, although we could do this in many different materials. The powder coat finish is a sparkly black, but it could have been pink!
Brass parts cut for a model train - the components have been left tagged together to ease construction. We cut similar parts in Mild Steel and even Plywood. The amount of detail possible with laser cutting means very small scale components can be produced.
A close-up of a laser cut & engraved architectural model - we've engraved features such as doors and battens, dramatically increasing the detail and realism of the model. This process is used a lot for train carriages to simulate planking. We can also engrave steel to show bend lines etc.
We offer a very cost-effective service. Our processes are designed to minimise overhead so you're able to afford a completely unique design at low prices.
We're able to work with most image types to turn your ideas into a finished Laser Cut design - you don't have to have intimate knowledge of CAD design to get the product you want!
We offer a complete service from sourcing the material, through programming the work, to the laser cutting and then delivery - leave it to us to handle the project.
We cut everything from a one-off kit for an individual to thousands for a high volume design - our service is flexible enough and our capacity sufficient to cope with any size order.
Remember, we can Laser Engrave as well as cut, so we can offer you a one-stop service.
Our Quality System is solid - we use a visual system to let everyone in the production chain know your requirements - we don't rely on a dusty manual stuck on a shelf! We track everything from material source through issue levels to who cut your parts.
We buy the best material and use the best lasers to ensure you get the best quality product; we make your model accurate and usable.
We have years of experience of this type of work - ask us for our recommendation with regard to material, size, engraving - you name it!
Our service is country-wide. Although we're based in Barnsley our main customers are in London, Scotland, Cumbria, Nottingham & Manchester
We deliver - we use a local company to do a same-day service; we use overnight carriers and couriers for next day. Standard delivery is included in our quoted price - you don't get a nasty shock when you receive the invoice.
We're actually really nice people to deal with - we may be great at what we do, but it doesn't go to our heads!
We can't list all our advantages here - the page would be too long! Hopefully the above gives you a flavour. We think we're just about perfect, but then we would wouldn't we! Try us and see what you think - Contact us now...
Common Materials Laser Cut |
Brass / Mylar / Steel / Aluminium / MDF / Acrylic / Paper / Card / Polypropylene - the list goes on! |
Maximum Stencil Size |
3000x1500mm, but this may be limited by commonly available sheet sizes. |
Minimum Stencil Size |
Very Small - It depends on the material type & thickness |
Maximum Thickness |
It depends on material type, but examples are: Mild Steel - 20mm; Stainless Steel - 15mm; Aluminium - 10mm; Acrylic - 20mm; Wood - 25mm |
Minimum Thickness |
<0.1mm |
Minimum Detail |
Again it depends on material type - let us recommend the right material for the application |
General Cutting Tolerance |
>3mm - +/-0.1mm |
Effects of Thermal Cutting |
It depends on the material type, but laser cutting generally gives an excellent cut edge with a minor heat affected zone |
Common Materials Stocked |
Mild Steel / Stainless Steel / Aluminium / Brass / Acrylic / MDF. Most other materials are available on a short lead-time. |
Common Sheet Sizes |
It really does depend on the material |
Drawing Files Used |
DXF / DWG / Solidworks / Illustrator / Coreldraw / PDF / JPG / Sketch / Fag Packet / Component / Vague Dream! |