Initially used for sample and prototype work, tool-less production for gaskets has advanced significantly in the last 10 years. Today we manufacture small to medium runs using various machines – automatic drag knives, oscillating knives, high-speed CNC routers and mills, laser cutters and water-jet.
Although not often used for working product, 3D printing is also a ‘tool-less’ production method – specifically useful when designing new products that will eventually be moulded.
The equipment we use is amongst the most sophisticated in the UK – however, the cost of running larger parts can sometimes be more expensive than laying down tooling.
Using a variety of equipment we can process materials including rubbers up to 200mm thick, foams up to 250mm and we normally only cut metals up to 50mm thick. Our water-jet is able to cut steel up to 250mm thick – but handling at this thickness can become an issue when the material is 2tonnes per square metre!
thick
Thick
We also cut lots of Customers own materials on a free issue basis. Prices are based entirely on the time taken using any particular machine based on the equipment running cost.
Examples of materials we regularly cut include aviation grade Aluminium, Brass, Copper, Stainless Steel, Nylon, Polycarbonate, Glass, Ceramics, Stone and Leather.