Fast Prototyping of Converted Parts
With the most up to date and technically advanced machines, Stokvis Tapes can offer their customers prototypes and samples in less than 48 hours. With the use of plotter and laser cutting machines, Stokvis Tapes is able to provide accurate samples to their customers in any shape or thicknesses.
Plotter Cutting Advantages –
Stokvis Tapes use the latest technology in plotter systems to produce samples, or to produce very small batches for prototyping. In some cases we use the CAD system to produce large size die-cuts (up to 1000 x 1500mm).
Other Advantages -
o Small volumes
o Individual pieces or articles on sheet
o Manual assembly
o Thin materials
o 48 hours leadtime
o No tooling cost
o Articles according to customers file (dxf)
How Laser Cutting Works-
Laser cutting can be compared to cutting with a computer controlled miniature torch. Industrial laser cutting is designed to concentrate high amounts of energy into a small, well-defined spot. Typically the laser cutting beam is approximately .008 - .015 of a millimeter in diameter. The resulting heat energy created by the LASER melts, or vaporizes materials and results in a perfect and clean cutting are.
Laser Cutting Advantages-
There is almost no limit of the desired shape when using LASER cutting technology. The point can be moved in any direction making small diameter holes can be made with ease, which in many other cases would require specialized tooling.
It is ideal when production quantities or prototyping does not justify production of tooling for stamping or die cutting. A tolerance range between ±0,2 - ±0,5mm is assured.
Other Advantages-
Lasers can cut at very high speeds. The speed at which materials can be processed is limited only by the power available from the laser. Laser cutting is a very cost effective solution during sampling and prototyping especially when designs are still under design and may be modified before mass production takes place.
With their speed, flexibility and accuracy lasers have become an ideal choice for kiss cutting and die cutting of the following materials:
o Tapes and Adhesives o Laminates
o Rubber o Polycarbonate
o Paper Products o Polyester
o Plastics o Vinyl
o Acrylic o Styrene
o Ceramics o Velcro
o Composites o Teflon
o Fiberglass o Ceramic Substrates
o Foam o Fabric
Stokvis Tapes offers its customers low cost, fast turnaround and high quality laser cut samples during the manufacturing or design phase from its world wide production locations.
Our Engineering Department can take your dwg, dxf or other 2D-3D files and directly download them to our equipment. We can also do the programming for the simplest or the most complex design and turn it into a finished product.
Advantages and disadvantages of Laser Processing
Laser cutting typically has a higher rate of cutting speed than any other sample cutting technology depending on the material and thickness. However, laser cutting may cause a reaction to the material layers that may be undesirable in some applications or final product.
The Limitations of Lasers
Many plastics melt and give off toxic fumes when cut by a laser and so need to be exposed off according to regulatory requirements. Lasers are unable to cut reflective materials such as aluminum or copper. Clear glass and other transparent materials are also not suitable for laser cutting.