10mm clear acrylic. “This has been a very popular choice for the sign-maker and plastic fabricator alike,” Hodson explains, adding: “Our compression tools for woods, plywoods, and MDF are also available in a wider selection to suit thicker materials and with smaller sizes now available with the Superior coating to extend the tool life. These have been extremely popular for sign-makers needing a perfect finish on both sides of laminates and veneers.” Don’t Run the Risk Another specialist in this segment is PLASTGrommet. Head of sales and marketing at the company, Rafa Menéndez, says risking the use of subpar tools could be the difference between creating exceptional pieces or quality that leads to unsatisfied customers and damage to your reputation. settings, allowing for a seamless transition from one tool to the next. “The high-quality tools in our standard range are rated for 24,000RPM and we also have a range of balanced tools for up to 60,000RPM.” With the variety of materials available to sign-makers, Hodson says the biggest mistake is to simply use the same cutting tool on all of them. He explains that CNC machines now have automatic tool change, which, once set up, can mean that the machine operator is cutting plastics, ACM, MDF, aluminium, and foam PVC, with the correct tool and settings for each material. So, how can LKH Tools help? In 2018, the MP Superior coated tool was introduced for dry routing aluminium. This tool, Hodson explains, has “revolutionised” the process of cutting aluminium, without the need for coolant or oil during the cutting process. “These tools have been extremely popular and earlier this year, the available diameters and geometries in this range were increased to allow for the different thicknesses of aluminium,” he says, adding: “They are also the choice tool for routing ACM with our customers.” Hodson goes on to say the company’s GEN2 acrylic range of tools has also increased to allow for a bigger choice of diameters and cut lengths. This tool, he continues, produces a near-polished edge in a single pass when used on “For example, when using squeegees for applying vinyl and other signage materials, a low quality non-flexible squeegee could cause marks and scratches on the printed material,” Menéndez says, continuing: “As a result, sign-makers will be left with the time-consuming and costly problem of having to reprint the design to restart the application process. Even worse, the product could cause damage to the surface or object that you are applying the graphics to.” With this, Menéndez says one common mistake that can occur when using signmaking tools is not using the correct tool for the job, with the use of general purpose tools rather than specialised tools potentially leading to poor quality finished products which may damage the digital print. Another consideration, Menéndez says, is the way substrates are secured, with some sign companies still using rubber bands or tape on their media rolls which can damage the material, causing wastage. He adds that overlooking safety in sign installations or applications can also be costly. Menéndez goes on to say working with suppliers like PLASTGrommet ensure signmakers will be using high quality tools. Among its most popular products is the microfibre Marathon Squeegee, which, listed in its Pro Line, is suitable for wet or dry use and recommended for car wrapping, with its microfibre edge making it perfect for chrome films. Other solutions included in the Pro Line is the Marathon FLEX microfiber squeegee with the same properties as the Marathon but with higher degrees of flexibility, as well as the GOLD SUPER-Flex squeegee, which has been designed to last longer than 48 www.signlink.co.uk Issue 257 - February / March 2025 ▲ The MP Superior coated tool was introduced in 2018 for dry routing aluminium LKH Tools offers a range of high-quality, balanced tool products with capabilities of up to 60,000RPM 60,000 SIGN-MAKING TOOLS ▼ Safety rulers are among the solutions offered by PLASTGrommet
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