CNC Routing
July 31, 2019
Rotary Die Cutting
July 31, 2019
Plotter Cutting A Wide Range of Materials
A Plotter cutter is an effective and accurate machine that can cut a wide range of materials into your desired shape or design.
When plotter cutting, a computer controls the movement of a sharp blade over the surface of the material. This blade is used to cut out your custom shapes typically using your drawing data as a .dxf or .drg file.
To cut out a design, a vector-based image must be created with software, the design is then sent to the cutter where it cuts along the vector paths laid out in the design.
Plotter Cutter Mechanics
The Plotter cutter is capable of moving the blade on an X and Y axis over the material, cutting it into any shape imaginable.
Since most materials come in long rolls, projects with significant length like linear lighting applications can be easily cut as well.
Many types of materials can be converted including; foams, solid rubbers, thermal interface materials, sealing rubbers, and metal-filled fabrics plus so many more material types.
The use of a cutting blade which oscillates gives an extremely high quality (perpendicular) edge to materials as high as 250mm thickness. Making this method ideal for converting materials into a range of custom-made shapes and parts.
Bespoke Plotter Cutter Designs
Designs should be uploaded when placing your order as .dxf and ideally a .pdf to check the dimensions and tolerances needed.
There are design guidelines available on the website. The guidelines offer advice about spacings and tolerances when designing a pad or gasket.
If you do not see the material you would like us to convert into parts simply let us know and we will be able to acquire the material for you.
Custom Pads and Gaskets
The conversion of materials into pads and gaskets using our plotter cutters means we are able to provide rapid turnaround of parts without the need for hard tooling. We simply use the electronic data to cut the parts out of the sheet materials.
The plotter cutting bed size is 3m x 2m which allows for the manufacture of some of the largest requirements of custom pads and gaskets.
Design changes can be accommodated without fuss as we simply upload the new design and start production, you may change the design every day if you wish without any additional costs.
Latest Electrical Insulation Products
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Select options
- All purpose – can be laminated, diecut, slit, formed, or adhesive-coated.
- It does not melt. It can be used at both high and low temperature extremes.
- Kapton® polyimide films can be used in a variety of electrical and electronic uses.
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Select options
- All purpose – can be laminated, diecut, slit, formed, or adhesive-coated.
- It does not melt. It can be used at both high and low temperature extremes.
- Kapton® polyimide films can be used in a variety of electrical and electronic uses.
-
Select options
- All purpose – can be laminated, diecut, slit, formed, or adhesive-coated.
- It does not melt. It can be used at both high and low temperature extremes.
- Kapton® polyimide films can be used in a variety of electrical and electronic uses.
Custom Cut Materials
Materials Direct is approaching this market in a way that is easy to order and specify in Electronics across all industries. Customers who need a certain brand of material that does not appear on the site can apply for us to add this stock to the site’s portfolio based on potential usage.
No Tooling Charge
There is NEVER a tooling charge for manufacturing
Fast Manufacturing
Parts made & shipped worldwide in as little as 24 hours
Technical Support
Technical expertise available from our specialists
100% Payment Secure
We ensure secure payment with a wide array of options
Instant Quotes – Purchasing Made Easy
The main problem for design engineers and purchasing has been until now the quick supply of parts as often the custom pad is one of the last items to be specified in the design of an Electronic assembly.
Materials Direct not only provides an instant quote but gives the buyer the offer of uploading their custom design for it to be manufactured within 24hours if the material is in stock.
1
Get an online quote
for the part / gasket
2
Upload your design
and approve
3
Place and pay
for your order
4
Parts dispatched to you
in as little as 24 hours.
The Advantages of Plotter Cutting
Converting materials in parts using plotter cutting enables the very fast turnaround needed for prototyping and batch production.
The accuracy that can be achieved is dependent on the type of material to be cut but better than normal tolerances associated with cutting fabrics are achievable using this technique.
We will often move the production of high volumes parts to die-cutting should it be necessary.
At Materials Direct we decide which method of converting parts to take into account the quantity, quality, and speed of production.
Choosing The Correct Method for High Volume Orders
Materials direct has the ability to manufacture 100,000’s of parts per hour, therefore higher volume orders may be carried out using a more efficient method such as rotary die-cutting. At Materials Direct we decide which method of converting parts to take into account the quantity, quality, and speed of production.
Custom Cutting To Meet Your Specification
Materials Direct Offers A Wide Range of Services
Quality Assured
All of our Plotter cutting services are carried out by experienced and trained professionals who have a high understanding of how the machines work and how they should be used.
Materials Direct will also only source materials from trusted Brands.
Very fast reply, very good order following and delivery in 24H. to recap a verry good experience with Materials Direct for a verry urgent need. I recommend a lot.
'Having the ability to be supplied with precision cut materials for prototypes within 2 days has been excellent!’
'We have the need for small to medium batch sizes of various technical materials and Materials Direct have been highly responsive to our urgent needs'
‘We have had to change our designs in the development stages three times. Materials Direct did not charge for these changes as the sizes stayed the same. Excellent!’
‘Precision and high quality of parts received have been consistently to a high standard.’
'Buying online with Materials Direct has proven to be more efficient in time and deliveries, especially when scheduling future orders.’
Our Partners
Supplying Technical Materials
To a Range of Sectors
Each sector has its own unique requirements and specifications. Materials Direct works to ensure that each sector we supply to, receives the highest quality and best-performing products in relation to their industry and specific need.
Aerospace
The Aerospace industry demands the highest performing, most reliable technical materials to protect their electronic assemblies.
Automotive / EV
Automotive applications range from Engine management systems to motor drive controllers and custom-made gaskets and pads.
Industrial
Industrial electronics are robust, have long lifetimes, are cost-sensitive, and suitable for use within difficult environments.
LED Lighting
Sufficient thermal management in LED lighting can preserve longevity, increase reliability and optimise performance.
Military
Materials used in military applications need to be of the highest quality and performance, often very rugged to very exacting standards.
Power
Coupling discreet heat-generating semiconductors to heatsinks remains commonplace in power supply assemblies.