As with all Blackman and White machines, the Versa-Tech is designed and manufactured in the UK and is the latest machine in the MasterCut range, developed to handle a wide range of materials from technical textiles and prepreg composites to heavy-duty materials. The company will be running live demonstrations in pavilion 7.3, stand R29. Built for high speed precision cutting, the Versa-Tech is available in cutting widths up to 3.2m, and can be customised with an integral conveyor bed, making it ideal for high volume production. This versatile machine features a multi-tool head which eliminates the need to change tools during operation. The multi-tool head can carry rotary or fixed blades, markers, or an oscillating blade which leaves a clean and accurate cut even in the toughest prepreg material. The head will also accommodate a router if cutting of cured composites is required, or an ink jet printer tool head can be integrated onto the machine for identification of cut parts, eliminating any need for manual marking. Blackman and White customises the software to ensure that accurate patterns can be created for almost any type of composite material. The software also converts 3D files to 2D profiles so that templates can be automatically nested which saves time and minimises wastage of expensive prepreg materials. Alex White, managing director said: “The main advantage of our machines is the enhanced production capabilities that they provide, especially when linked to CAD/CAM software. Cutting with an automated machine allows streamlining, dramatically saving production time, reducing manual costs and maximising profitability. An automated cutter represents a significant investment, but customers find the improved efficiency and savings in labour costs mean our machines pay for themselves within the first year.” www.bwcutters.com
