[LASER CUTTING IS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE 21/01/2020, NO ESTIMATE IS AVAILABLE OF WHEN IT WILL BE OPERATIONAL AGAIN. I RECOMMEND CUSTOMERS SHOP AROUND FOR OTHER SUPPLIERS FOR LASER CUTTING AT THE MOMENT. SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE.]

As of 2015, our network can now offer laser cutting services to individuals and companies. We can design models for cutting, supply the materials and assemble models using highly accurate machines. Laser cutting for model making is recommended for long, flat and highly detailed parts. By cutting the floor plan and walls for a building, we can build a model very quickly.

When used in conjunction with 3D printing, this combination of processes allows us to build complex 3D models at a speed and quality not possible through each process alone. This gives customers multiple options when deciding how they want their model to look, how soon they need it or what sort of budget they are working with.

If you require a design modeled for laser cutting we offer this service however if you are providing the plans yourself there are a number of requirements that must be considered and will make the process smooth, quick and easy. .DXF is the preferred file format for laser cutting however .eps and other 2D CAD types can work. We can generally convert most file types into laser cutting format, it is just some extra steps required. All laser cut files must be vector images where cuts and etched lines are a different colour. Generally black/red for cuts and blue for etched lines. Our cutting area is 680mm x 500mm so any designs to be laser cut should be modified to fit within this area.

We keep in stock regular materials such as 3mm MDF and 3mm various colour acrylics however we can easily order in a large range of colours and thicknesses. Acrylic sheets come in 1.5mm, 2mm, 3mm, 4.5mm and 6mm thickness while MDF sheets come in 3mm and 6mm thicknesses. Plywood, paper and card can be cut however we do not keep these in stock due to rarely being used and it can easily be bought as needed.

Laser cutting is charged for the materials and at a per-minute rate which is directly related to the thickness of the material.

• Materials

Our laser cutter works best with MDF boards and cast acrylic sheets. We can also cut paper, cardboard, fabric and leather although these do require fine-tuning and tests for each individual job due to how much these materials can vary with composition and thickness. At this stage we do not cut or etch metals.