Biesse machine with 8-tool carousel loaded with ITC tools

CutlaserCut Ltd is a design manufacturer that specialises in fast turnround production services in a number of sectors, including creative (art, fashion, jewellery, architecture), engineering, retail and signmaking.

Initially set up as a laser cutting business in 2010, the company invested in a CNC routing machine in 2017 to expand its service offering — it is here that Industrial Tooling Corporation (ITC) stepped in to support the company as it widened its diversification strategy.

CutLaserCut operates out of two facilities with a single Trotec Speedy 400 laser at its Camberwell site and a larger production studio with six CO₂ lasers and a host of additional equipment at its South Coast facility. The largest laser machine offers a working area of 3 x 2m while the Biesse Rover Plast J FT 1530 CNC routing machine that arrived in 2017 offers a work envelope of 3 x 1.6m — it is this machine that led CutLaserCut to Tamworth-based ITC Ltd.

Combining laser technology with the router, CutLaserCut can process everything from cast acrylic sheets to plywood, ‘organic’ materials, plastics, wood and wooden boards, card, paper, leather, foam and much more. It was the arrival of the router that opened opportunities to machine new materials with a technology that was new to the London and South Coast manufacturer. A visit to the Sign UK exhibition led to a timely meeting with Sally Hunt from ITC.

Russ Mellor from CutLaserCut said: “We were originally a laser-cutting business, but we purchased the Biesse CNC router to expand the range of materials that we could work with. Biesse is not a specialist in cutting tools, so we visited the Sign UK exhibition where we met Sally Hunt from ITC. We were immediately impressed with her depth of knowledge and helpful attitude. Since 2017, Sally and the ITC team have been a fabulous resource that we have been happy to rely on. A trusted partner in all aspects of CNC tooling.”

As a company that specialises in delivering a fast response to demanding sectors, CutLaserCut can rapidly turn around anything from simple B2C parts, one-offs and specialist projects to more involved B2B product development and production runs. To satisfy client demands with rapid lead times, CutLaserCut relies on high-quality cutting tools from ITC for machining a vast array of materials.

Expert advice from ITC
In a fast-paced environment, the company needs maximum machine uptime and optimal productivity levels. To enable this, ITC supports CutLaserCut with a diverse range of standard and bespoke tooling solutions that provide quality, performance, reliability and longevity. The performance and tool life are optimised by expert advice from ITC that identifies the correct tool, geometry and coating for any given material.

Pictured right: an ITC tool in action at CutLaserCut on the Biesse routing machine

Mr Mellor continued: “ITC has provided us with too many tools to remember over the last six years. The lengthy list of standard products is also complemented by an entire range of specials that we have requested over the years. We tend to specify ITC’s 6mm straight and compression cutters for general work, but we have had many larger, smaller and specialist tools over the years. Whenever a new project arrives or if there is a machining technique that is required, we can call or email ITC and ask for the best advice about tooling. This includes the feed rates, number of passes and other technical details.

“Most recently, ITC provided us with a 12mm radius point round cutter for a new technique that an established client wanted to try. Sally was able to propose the tool based on a photo of the effect the client was trying to achieve. She got it spot on and the tool did exactly what was needed. The total time from the client request to quote to the delivery of the final parts was just seven days including the selection, manufacture and delivery of the ITC point round cutter. Standard tooling is avaible on a next day basis, even if ordered late in the day.

“I have not found anything like this level of service from any other tool manufacturer, and we tried a few before finding ITC. Expert advice on tool selection, backed by expert engineers that can design, manufacture and deliver custom tooling if necessary, is a really good fit for us.”

Mr Mellor concluded: “Because we are a sub-contract manufacturer, we rarely make the same thing twice, unless it is a production run. Therefore, it is of critical importance that our tooling works right the first time and keeps working with high levels of productivity and reliability until the job is done. We are always working on tight turnaround projects, so we can not be dealing with tooling not performing and time being lost in re-specifying or replacement tooling that could delay an entire job.

“This is where the high quality of ITC comes in. I cannot recall any instances where their tooling has let us down. Considering we have now worked with ITC for more than six years, that is saying something.”