Which laser machine should I have?
We would be happy to show you your material processing without obligation. At our place or on location.
Eric Slotboom
Operation Director
At Spaaij Maquettebouw they do everything related to models. These are, for example, models for individual houses and commercial buildings. But sometimes they are also urban models or technical models. The laser machine is essential in making these models. We spoke with Karl Spaaij, the director and owner of the company.
The models
The diversity of projects that Karl makes is enormous. “There really isn’t anything that we do not make in miniature. The starting point is that every model must be visually interesting. If people see a model, for example of a residential area, they should immediately become enthusiastic and think ‘I would want to live there!’. And if that happens, we have succeeded.”
The use of the machine
The BRM Original 90130 is used daily in the making of the models. “We first draw everything using the drawing software and then we cut it out on the laser and put everything together. We usually use acrylic for that. Compared to the past, it is quite a relief. Back then we still did everything by hand, cutting and sawing the parts. And that is no longer necessary due to the laser machine. The laser machine has actually become the core of the business.”
Build models faster
Karl explains that thanks to the laser machine, he can work a lot faster. “We can build models much faster. We used to saw by hand, of course. And then there is always a deviation from what you have supplied in drawings. But now with the BRM laser cutter it is just 100% right, it really can’t go wrong anymore. You receive the drawings and the machine simply cuts out the drawing exactly as it was drawn. It is just a lot less accurate by hand. Therefore, I would recommend my colleagues to also buy a BRM Laser machine. In fact, I already have. It’s a good machine, so why shouldn’t I? The BRM laser machine is really of added value in model construction.”
Karl has a nice anecdote about his father, who started the company in 1963.
“My father sometimes walks through the workshop with a stick and looks at the models. And then he says: “What you do in three days, it used to take us three weeks.” It really saves us a lot of time. And qualitatively it has also been a step forward, we can work much more accurately.”
“Therefore, I would recommend my colleagues to also buy a BRM Laser machine.”
Laser machine versus milling machine
Karl also indicates that the laser machine works better than, for example, a milling machine. “The laser machine is simply much easier to work with. The disadvantage of milling is that you suffer from machining, so there’s a lot of mess. And with lasering you don’t have any sawdust or filings. You just put the plate on it, and it cuts out with no mess, so that’s really perfect.”
Karl explains that thanks to the laser machine, he can work a lot faster. “We can build models much faster. We used to saw by hand, of course. And then there is always a deviation from what you have supplied in drawings. But now with the BRM laser cutter it is just 100% right, it really can’t go wrong anymore. You receive the drawings and the machine simply cuts out the drawing exactly as it was drawn. It is just a lot less accurate by hand. Therefore, I would recommend my colleagues to also buy a BRM Laser machine. In fact, I already have. It’s a good machine, so why shouldn’t I? The BRM laser machine is really of added value in model construction.”
The decision was easy
Karl tells us more about the purchase of his BRM Original 90130. “We had a different laser machine before, but it no longer worked properly, and the machine was outdated. Then I went shopping on the internet and then I came across BRM. They seemed like a reliable party and that turned out to be true. One of the things that immediately appealed to me about the machine was the Z-table that can be raised and lowered.”
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 was installed, and it was all clearly explained what we could do with it. And automatically, you learn more and more about what you can do with it. During that learning process, I also called BRM a number of times and it was never a problem. They were always able to help me immediately, so great service!”
