Sрааіj Mаquеttеbоuw is a company specialising in the production of world-class scale models for sectors including shipbuilding and architecture. A laser cutting machine is frequently used in the production of these models.
At Spaaij Maquettebouw, they specialise in all aspects of model-making. This includes, for example, models of individual houses and commercial buildings. But sometimes they also create urban planning models or technical models. The laser cutter is essential for producing these models. We spoke to Karl Spaaij, the director and owner of the company.
The models
The variety of projects Karl undertakes is enormous. “You name it, we can make it in miniature. The guiding principle is that every model must be visually interesting. When people see a model, say of a residential area, they should immediately be enthusiastic and think ‘I’d love to live there!’. And if that happens, we’ve really succeeded.”
Using the machine
The BRM Original 90130 is used daily in the creation of the models. “First we draw everything in the design software, then we cut it out on the laser and finally assemble everything. We usually use acrylic for this. Compared to the old days, it’s a real relief. Back then we did everything by hand – cutting and sawing the parts. And thanks to the laser machine, that’s no longer necessary at all. The laser machine has actually become the heart of the business.”
Building models faster
Karl explains that thanks to the laser machine, he can work much faster. “We can build models much faster. We used to cut by hand, of course. And there’s always a deviation from the drawings you’ve been given. But now, with the BRM laser cutter, it’s simply 100% accurate; it’s virtually impossible to get it wrong. You receive the drawings and the machine simply cuts out the design exactly as it’s drawn. By hand, it’s simply a lot less accurate. I would therefore recommend my colleagues to buy a BRM laser machine too. In fact, I’ve already done so. It’s a good machine, so why wouldn’t I? The BRM laser machine really adds value to model-making.”
Karl has a nice anecdote about his father, who set up the company in 1963. “My father sometimes walks around the workshop with a walking stick and looks at the models. And then he says: ‘What you do now in three days used to take us three weeks.’ It really saves us a lot of time. And in terms of quality, it’s also been a step in the right direction; we can now work much more accurately.”
The decision was an easy one
Karl tells us more about purchasing his BRM Original 90130. “We used to have another laser machine, but it wasn’t working properly anymore and the machine was outdated. So I started looking online and that’s when I came across BRM. They seemed like a reliable company and, as it turns out, they certainly are. One of the things that immediately appealed to me about the machine was the Z-table that can move up and down.”
BRM’s service
Spaaij is very pleased with BRM’s service. “BRM’s service is excellent; I have no negative comments about it. The machine has been installed and everything has been clearly explained to us. And you naturally learn more and more about what you can do with it. During that learning process, I also rang BRM a few times and that was no problem at all. They were always able to help me straight away, so excellent service!”
“I would therefore recommend that my colleagues also purchase a BRM laser machine.”
Laser cutter versus milling machine
Karl also points out that the laser cutter works better than, say, a milling machine. “The laser cutter is simply much easier to work with. The downside of milling is that you end up with swarf, so a lot of mess. And with laser cutting, you don’t have any sawdust or filings at all. You just place the sheet on it and it’s cut out without any mess, so that’s really perfect.”
