Traditionally, if companies wanted to have materials cut such as plastics and wood, they would employ staff to do this in-house. This involved manually cutting and manipulating materials to get the desired finish. However, this was a time consuming process and not the most efficient. With the introduction of computers into the industry, a new era of making was born and this has led to high quality, cheaper and reliable machine cutting services, that are available to all. Many organisations who previously would have cut their material in-house, now outsource to these specialist companies who solely focus on CNC machine cutting services. Technology has completely revolutionised the way the design and fabrication industry operates.
These developments also mean that smaller companies, makers and individuals can access design and fabrication services where previously they had been too expensive or too inaccessible for them to do so. Larger companies were historically able to afford their own cutting departments, meaning that smaller companies had no access to this sort of service. This has opened up the industry, with the versatility of CNC cutting being available to companies like never before. The CNC machines also offer so much more than traditional methods meaning that design and fabrication has advanced to levels previously unthought-of before computers entered the fabrication industry.
With this in mind, let’s look a bit deeper into what CNC machine cutting is and how companies can use it.
CNC Cutting Machines – What Are They?
CNC stands for ‘Computer Numerical Control’ so a CNC cutting machine is one which is controlled by a computer. This computer links the CNC machine to a program which takes the design file and converts it into coordinates. This allows the machines to take any material and cut into the desired shape and size. Files accepted and used are largely vector-style files such as .dxf, .dwg, .ai, and .eps. PDFs are also acceptable as long as a vector can be exported. This process can be done for engraving materials as well as routing them.
The CNC cutting process is almost completely automated. Once the machine and file are prepared, the production process is totally automated with no further manual input required. Computer aided design (CAD) allows for the files to be translated into a language the computer will understand and then the CNC machine is ready for action. Multiple jobs can be inputted and the machine will do them in succession.
The cutting machines may also have tools attached as much of the time the job is not completed by one tool. Advancements in CNC technology have allowed multiple tools to be operated by the CNC machine which has expanded CNC cutting options even more.
What Are CNC Machines Used for?
Cutting:
Since computers have come into the fabrication and construction industries, demand has increased. This has led to the introduction of independent CNC cutting based companies, replacing traditional in-house cutting departments. The flexibility and versatility of services offered by these new independent companies means that outsourcing is now a popular choice for many larger companies.
There is a vast range of materials the CNC machines cut and these include, but are not limited to:
- PVC
- Timber and sheet material e.g. plywood, MDF, veneered boards
- Plastics, polycarbonates and acrylics
- Foam & Polystyrene
- Solid surface materials e.g. HI-MACS and Corian
- Laminate veneers
- Modelling board (cibatool, chemi-wood, or tooling board)
- Acetal
- Dibond and Mirrored sheeting
As a general rule, the price of CNC cutting increases as the material gets thicker, due to the increased time it takes to complete a job. One of the materials most popular for cutting is plywood, for example. It is strong but lightweight, and cheaper than alternative materials such as timber and the CNC cutting machines can cut a range of thicknesses.
Engraving:
CNC Machines aren’t just limited to cutting. They are also commonly used for engraving materials and this is becoming an increasingly popular service asked of CNC cutting companies. Materials the CNC machines can engrave includes:
- Concrete
- Wood
- Stone
- Solid timber
Using engraving machines is a much more accurate way of doing it than by hand as the CNC machines can get the engraving done incredibly accurately – to the nearest 0.1mm of the design file measurements! The finish to the product can be absolutely stunning.
The diversity and flexibility of CNC machines are what is making them so popular. More and more businesses are choosing to outsource their cutting and engraving due to the high quality work and the reduced price of outsourcing.
With the popularity of CNC machines increasing, let’s take a look at some of the key benefits.
Why Use CNC Cutting Machines? The Benefits….
As already mentioned, CNC machines are controlled by a largely automated computer function that turns the design file into a set of coordinates for the machine to work on the material with.
There are key benefits of using the CNC machine method to manual methods.
PRECISION
Due to the automated process in place, with little human input, the precision and accuracy the machines can perform at is outstanding. Tests have proven that accuracy is achieved to the closest 0.1mm. There are also fewer mistakes as human error can take place via manual cutting methods. As long as the design file is accurate, the computer can take these readings and create the most accurate cutting possible, doing the hard work for you. Not only this, but the machines can do this repeatedly. Once the design file has been loaded correctly, the machine can replicate the cutting hundreds or even thousands of times. This is far beyond what most manual methods could achieve.
SPEED
As previously mentioned, CNC cutting is a much faster and more efficient way of cutting materials. This is also largely due to the automated process once the design file has been loaded correctly. The CNC machines can also have multiple jobs loaded at any one time so it can move onto the next job without human interception. The process not only requires less people, but also less input from those individuals who are involved in the process. CNC machines can operate 24/7, without fluctuating in productivity like humans do. Having the CNC machines continuously running means that the process is highly productive and therefore jobs are completed at a much higher speed than traditional cutting methods.
FLEXIBILITY
The improved technology of CNC cutting machines means that the range of CNC machine cutting services has been increased significantly. The CNC machines are incredibly versatile, with any project possible at just the click of a computer button. It also allows for changes to be made with ease. The computer will adapt to pretty much any changes at just the click of a few buttons. The CNC machines also use a variety of tools with very few cutting jobs only requiring one tool for the job. The introduction of such technologies into the design and fabrication industry has opened the doors of cutting services for companies who previously were restricted and also the various types of projects that can be completed.
COST
The reduced manpower required for the CNC machines means that labour costs are significantly lowered. This ensures the unit cost of cutting materials is lower as the human capacity needed has been reduced to as minimal input as possible. Again, this has opened up the industry, especially to smaller businesses, who previously could not afford the costs associated with in-house manual cutting of materials. The lower price of outsourcing to companies who solely specialise in CNC cutting has led to many companies reducing and eliminating many of their in-house processes.
SAFETY
From a business point of view, CNC machine cutting is also a much safer method of cutting materials than traditional manual methods. Not only has this eliminated any strenuous manual labour but the machines have many safety controls which have greatly increased the safety of cutting materials. Safety improvements include machine stoppers, guards, and protectors. However, the biggest safety improvement is that the human interaction with the material is very minimal. This means that if anything was to go wrong during the process, it’s more likely damage would occur to the machine or material, not to a human.
Aldworth James & Bond Can Help
When looking to undertake a design and fabrication project, you need to know you’re in safe hands. The company used should have a proven track record in completing successful projects so they will know exactly what’s required to make your project work.
At Aldworth James & Bond, we’re the experts in delivering CNC machine London projects for our customers. We can look at your project, use our expertise to judge your requirements, and deliver cost effective solutions that you will be more than satisfied with. Our customers experience a flexible approach towards their project, allowing you to create (and for us to deliver), the best possible product for you. Our attention to detail is second to none meaning that our customers are extremely satisfied with the high quality finish we produce every time.
Our CNC Machine London Based Service:
We have several machines including those that do CNC cutting and laser cutting. Being the experts in CNC machine projects, our machines meet all the requirements needed to produce high quality products. We can cut standard sized sheets (8 x 4ft) as well as oversized sheets (10 x 5ft and 10 x 4ft). We can also proudly say that our machines:
- Have an automated tool change system
- Use a range of cutter types – including a down cutter, up-cut bit, and a compression cutter, as well as an angled bit if necessary
- Have special shaped cutters available including a T cutter, a V- groove cutter and diamond cutters
- Can cut a huge range of materials
- Will cut any thickness of material
- Offer a range of cutting and engraving services
- Can operate for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Produce a high turnover of material
- Are reliable and accurate (to the nearest 0.1mm)
- Produce a high quality finish
- Have fast turnaround time
Our specialist team are the experts in their field and have delivered successful projects time and time again. They are all from design and manufacturing backgrounds and therefore have years of experience. With our flexible approach, our team are willing to help you in any way they can. Therefore, if you need advice or are unsure of what you need, we are happy to talk through your options with you and work collaboratively to make your project as successful as it can be.
Situated in Deptford, we provide an excellent CNC machine London based service which is also conveniently near to the mainline rail station at Deptford and the Overground at New Cross. While based in London, we don’t just provide services to local areas. We also undertake projects from all over the country. With our fleet of vans, we can deliver to any location.
Summary
To summarise, CNC cutting has revolutionised the way materials are now cut or engraved. The introduction of a computer controlled automated process has led to reductions in the time spent cutting and the associated costs. The efficiency, flexibility and accuracy of CNC cutting machines has led to them become increasingly popular, with the trend in companies outsourcing growing continually.
Using a CNC machine London based service such as those provided by Aldworth James & Bond opens the doors for so many businesses. Our specialist team are passionate about what we do and are committed to producing the quality product customers deserve. Our high quality CNC machines ensure a quick turnaround, price and quality of the finish, which is why so many people are coming to us with their projects time and time again.
What to Do Next
If you have a design or fabrication project you need help with, our team at Aldworth James & Bond are waiting to hear from you. We are happy to advise and help, whatever stage of the project you are at and will guide you through the process. We are happy to have an informal discussion about your project and give you a quote so that you understand any costs involved.
Remember, while a CNC machine London based service, we can deliver to any location.
Contact us today – call on +44 (0)20 8269 0883, email at hello@aldworthjamesandbond.co.uk, or fill out our simple contact form and we will get back to you. We would love to hear from you!
