Router advances Plastics potential
FNQ Plastics in Cairns has added a $150,000 router to its workshop as the business continues to grow.
The computerised router can intricately, quickly and neatly cut perspex, plastic, timber and/or aluminium to almost any shape or design.
“It’s three times faster, it can cut 3m per minute,” director Colin Van Staveren said. “We can cut anything more efficiently.”
The jobs include complicated shapes, logos for signs, numbers and lettering for small, large and extra-large signs, custom-designed cake and food display stands, and art and craft stencils.
As well the firm has supplied two of its Grizzly plastic ute trays to the Cairns Regional Council.
One, costing about $35,000, included $15,000 of spray equipment, integrated water tanks and a toolbox. It is to be used for pesticide spraying while a standard $7500 tray is for a ute carrying chemicals.
Mr Van Staveren said the aim was to prevent corrosion that occurred with steel or aluminium trays.
Council infrastructure services general manager Bruce Gardiner said the council had bought the two custom-made trays for transporting chemicals such as weed killer and chlorine, which could cause corrosion in aluminium and steel, and reduce the lifespan of trays.
“Because there is nothing to rust or corrode, we expect the plastic trays to outlive the vehicles carrying them,” Mr Gardiner said.
“They are interchangeable so when we upgrade the vehicle, we can re-use the tray, which results in long-term cost savings.
“The lighter trays also mean the vehicles can carry a heavier payload.
“We’ll look at potentially purchasing more of the trays as other vehicles come up for renewal.
“Council uses local businesses wherever possible and we are pleased to be able to support an innovative local manufacturer that is willing to take something new into the marketplace.”