Aeronaut Automated Blade Cutting Systems
Aeronaut makes automated cutting systems with rotary, tangential, reciprocating and drag blades.
Most technical textiles can be cut with rotary blades. It's a fast and efficient method of cutting and gives excellent edge finish on most materials. Rotary blades come in sizes to suit cutting various levels of detail. Very small details are cut with a tangential or drag blade and some thicker materials are cut with a reciprocating or oscillating knife. Since Aeronaut also manufactures laser and ultrasonic cutters, we can give you the right advice about what cutting technology suits your work.
Quick-change tooling: With the exception of laser cutters, all Aeronaut cutters have quick-change tooling, either bayonet mount tools, loaded from above, or Cam-lock tools fitted from below the cutting head. Quick-change tooling means you can fit all the cutting, creasing, sealing and punching tools Aeronaut makes in a few seconds without fiddling with blades under the cutting head.
Single tool cutters: Some Aeronaut cutters like the Elektron Mono, carry only a single quick-change tool and a marker which means a flexible cutter and a reasonable price.
Multi-tool cutters: Most Aeronaut cutters like the Elektron Quattro, Elektron B2 are able to carry more than one quick-change tool and swap between them automatically. This is is great for more complicated jobs and where a business wants to buy the most flexible and future proof machinery.
Single tool cutters
Rotary blade or pizza wheel cutters are probably the most widely used tool for cutting technical textiles, leather and composites.
Aeronaut can offer almost any style of cutter from entry level self-installed machines to the longest and widest cutters in the world, all fitted with versatile and future-proof quick change tooling and essential technologies like inkjet print heads and machine vision cameras.
Multi-tool cutters
Multi-tool cutters like the Elektron Quattro and Elektron B2 can carry more than one tool type on the head including different diameter rotary blades, drag blades, creasing and perforating tools, drill punches etc. and automatically switch between tools so more complicated jobs can be cut in less time.
Machines can be fitted with powered tools as well as unpowered tools to enable thicker and more difficult materials to be cut.
Compact Cutters
Aeronaut's Mikron 2 is a two tool compact cutting system made in a range of small sizes. The control and quiet vacuum systems are integrated into the machine enclosure to produce a machine which is ideal for a range of studio and cutting room applications.
The Mikron 2 is fitted with Cam-lock tooling and is a versatile, fast and reliable cutting system which comes with the Cyclops machine vision camera for rapid pattern alignment so it's as good at cutting sign and packaging materials as it is at cutting fabric.
Self-Install Cutters
Although almost all Aeronaut cutting systems are turn-key, we do supply some machines for self-installation. In fact, during Covid, many machines were successfully self installed all over the world.
The Ikon cutter is Aeronaut's entry-level single tool cutter, designed from the outset for self-installation. Unlike other cutters in this segment, the Ikon is a no-compromise cutter, made to the highest standards; faster, more powerful, more accurate and better designed and built.
Special-purpose cutters
You want it floor mounted? You want it 10 metres wide and 100 metres long? You just want to print with an inkjet pen? You want a dual laser conveyor machine 24" wide? No problem!
Because Aeronaut designs and manufactures in-house and because we have some first class metal and plastic working machines and develop software in-house, we take on tasks on a regular basis which are impossible for other cutter manufactures. If you want special, then call Aeronaut.
Cam-lock tools are a proprietary Aeronaut design, modelled on the tool changing used on metalworking CNC machines. They have many advantages over basic bolt-on tools used on most competitive machines.
- Cam-lock tools can be changed in seconds.
- The quarter turn fastening method is simple and reliable.
- Changing blade off the machine is quicker and safer.
- When high production speeds are essential, having two Cam-lock blade holders means one can be in use, while the blade is being changed on the other.
- Drill-punch tools can be fitted to any steered axis so you can easily use more than one punch size.
- Cam-lock tools effectively future-proof the machine. You can fit the tools you need for work in the future.
- Cam-lock tools all have the same geometry and blade angle so any tool can be fitted to any steered axis without changing settings.
- Cam-lock tools come in nice colours. One NASA contractor bought two sets just because they liked the colours!
Bayonet tools are another Aeronaut innovation. Tools are locked in place with a quarter turn bayonet ring, similar to the way a lens locks in place on an SLR camera. Because bayonet tools load from above, larger static and powered tools can be carried.
- Quick change mounting in a few seconds.
- Static tools such as cutting and creasing tools can be carried.
- Thicker and more difficult materials can be cut with powered tools.
- Electrically powered tools like powered rotary and reciprocating or oscillating knives can be fitted.
- Pneumatically powered tools like long stroke oscillating blade tools can be fitted.
- Ultrasonic cut and crease tools can be fitted.
- Pneumatic plunge knives can be fitted.
- Bayonet tools effectively future-proof the machine. You can fit the tools you need for work in the future.
- Where a drill-punch tool is required, it can be fitted on the front of the cutting head.
Cutting, Creasing, Drilling and Printing
Rotary Blade Types
Quick-change rotary blade holders are available to take off-the-shelf blades in diameters from 18 to 45mm in both Cam-lock and bayonet tool holders.
Drag Blade Types
Drag or tangential blade holders take tungsten steel or carbide blades for precise cutting. Several types of holder are available including mushroom foot and plunge.
Creasing Tools
Creasing and scoring tools are similar except one is intended for fabric and the other for corrugated board. They available in a range of stock and custom profiles.
Inkjet Printing
Inkjet printheads are great at high speed marking on most materials. They're also very good at marking on to woven materials where markers might snag.
Inkjet Pen
Inkjet pens work just like a pen except the flow is dot by dot. They're ideal for large scale printing or marking coarse or open weave materials.
Powered Tools
Electric and pneumatic powered tools can be fitted in Aeronaut's bayonet tool holder with a range of steel and carbide blades to cut materials up to 55mm thick.
Scoring Tools
Creasing and scoring tools are similar except one is intended for fabric and the other for corrugated board. They available in a range of stock and custom profiles.
Ultrasonic Tools
Ultrasonic tools are carried in a bayonet tool holder. They're generally used for cutting and sealing synthetic materials and are available in a range of different styles.
Special Tools
Aeronaut can make special tools in both the Cam-lock and bayonet tool range including pinking and perforating tools, custom punches etc.
Easy to Use
Simple to Maintain
High Reliability
Contact Aeronaut
Get the facts from the factory direct. If you want advice on automated cutting, an offer on a complete cutting system or to arrange a demonstration, just ask!