Techniques

Also called annealing, hotwire cutting or hotwire cutting. This involves using a CNC-controlled filament to cut precise shapes from soft materials such as EPS and XPS. With this technique, it is possible to cut 2.5D volumes such as cylinders, blocks, logos and letters. Because the two portals of the machine can be controlled independently and a rotary table and lathe can be optionally connected to it, it is also possible to cut simple 3D volumes such as conical shapes, cones or 3-axis inclined planes.

With this technique, CNC-controlled shapes can be cut out with a wire saw machine. This technique is mainly used for materials that do not melt or do not melt well such as PU, EPP, rockwool, cold foam, polyether foam and other soft materials. This machine can only cut 2.5D volumes, a cone is not possible with this machine.

This is a computer-controlled machining technique used to produce circular and cylindrical objects, such as variable-diameter columns and pillars as well as statues or parts thereof. Columns of identical cross-section along their entire length can also be cut using the previous two techniques.

This involves producing three-dimensional objects by milling away material from a block of soft materials such as EPS, XPS or PU foam. This technique is very precise and is often used to produce complex and unique shapes. It is possible to mill 3-axis on the gantry milling machine, 4-axis on the rotator or 6-axis on the milling robot. These machines have a higher set-up cost but can afterwards reproduce multiple identical objects very efficiently.

This involves scanning an object using a 3D scanner, which converts the data into a digital 3D model. This model can then be further edited digitally and possibly printed or milled. We have our own equipment for this but also have a close cooperation with several companies in the Benelux so it is not necessary to bring your artwork or object to us. Some objects are almost completely redrawn after scanning to obtain a technically perfect 3D model. As an alternative to 3D scanning, we can take care of the layout of the 3D model based on photos, a sketch or 2D drawing.

This is a technique in which an object is built layer by layer from a digital model. It is especially suitable for smaller objects and prototypes. This technique is still quite slow and expensive. Our maximum print capacity is 700x700x820mm. For larger objects, the model is divided or we switch to other techniques such as milling.

This involves applying a layer of polyurea coating to the object, making it more impact resistant and durable. The necessary thickness can range from 2mm for indoor or temporary applications to 5-6mm for furniture and outdoor objects that need to be vandal-proof. The coating can be sprayed as smooth as possible, however, a slight appleskin effect is inevitable. If that is out of the question, thicker coating and sanding is used. An alternative finish that offers a more budget-friendly solution for many applications is to finish the coating with an overspray so that a grain effect is obtained.

In this process, the object is hand painted and/or sprayed by airbrush to give it the desired creative look or add shadow effects.

EPS objects without a coating can be finished by spraying or painting with acrylic paint. Coated objects are better finished with a two-component polyurethane paint. This can be done in all possible RAL or NCS colors.