Introducing our CNC machine – delivering perfect event production set design & build
Last year we invested in our own CNC machine to add more speed and precision to our bespoke event production builds. This impressive piece of kit allows us to cut intricate designs and engravings out of plastic, wood and many other materials. The investment has opened a world of opportunities for us to create bespoke signage, sets, stages and much more in-house. We are therefore able to cut detailed work much quicker than if our in-house carpenter had to cut a design by hand. This allows us to cater for last minute changes as well as prepare for events quicker. Our production team had to undergo extensive training so we can use the machine to its full capabilities. To create a piece we first need to program the CAD (Computer Aided Design) on a computer which digitally instructs the machine where to cut, how deep and to support any engravings.
To get practical here are 3 examples of how our CNC machine has helped deliver unique solutions and experiences for clients over the past few months.
Custom stages:
One way we ensure an event stands out is to create a beautiful custom shaped stage. The CNC machine allows us to easily and accurately cut an array of shapes which we can use to create unique stages. The CNC cuts time out of the build allowing us to create more elaborate designs and respond quickly to any design changes. A landmark custom stage is a simple way to increase engagement. It makes a statement and excites guests and presenters raise their game. Here are some recent examples of stages we have built.
Bespoke Stand and Furniture Builds
The CNC machine can also be used for a range of other activities such as building stands and unique furniture. For example, we used birch ply to create a bespoke mirror for one of our events last year for a social media influencers event. The CNC machine enabled us to accurately cut intricate details which allowed guests to seamlessly adapt the furniture and adjust it to their individual needs. Where possible we design in customisation and interactivity to create interest and engagement. For this particular piece we cut exact circles which we could then slot posts into. This formed part of a high-quality and unique experience for guests. If this was done by hand, there is potential for marginal differences in cut size and this would impact the seamlessness of design and interactivity.
Bespoke transport dollies
We were tasked by our sister company Entec, the longest running music event production in the UK, to create some custom dollies to speed speaker load ins and load outs for a bands global tour. Each dolly was measured to work for an exact speaker to both protect the equipment and make the loading/unloading process as simple as possible. We engraved each one with their logo and painted them to match the rest of their equipment.
And finally…. we created a miniature version of our van
For a bit of fun and to highlight some of our CNC capabilities we created a miniature version of a Chameleon van. This involved several steps: design, cut, assembly then staining. Firstly, our in-house designer created a CAD design of the van which was then converted into a language which the CNC machine could read. The cutting itself took three hours and included some intricate cuts and engraving. In total there was 46 pieces that needed to be sanded, glued and assembled. Once completed we stained the wood to give a cleaner overall effect. The whole process was documented on our social media and another blog post click here to see it!
If you’d like to explore how we can use our CNC machine to create something unique and special for you or your event. We’d love to have a conversation or invite you to come and see it in action.