Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Assyst Bullmer?
By car, we are next to Junction 41 of the M1, just south of Leeds. Please see our contact page for directions. By train, Wakefield Westgate is on the main East Coast line and is around 2 hours from London Kings Cross. Let us know and we will meet you at the station, it’s very close to us. Leeds Bradford Airport is the closest airport and is 15 miles from our offices.
Where is your factory?
Our cutters are made in Germany by Topcut Bullmer, Mehrstetten which is 1 hour from Stuttgart in Southern Germany. Our body scanners and software are from Human Solutions, Kaiserslautern which is just over 1 hour from Frankfurt.
What forms of payment do Assyst Bullmer accept?
We accept credit cards – simply call us with your details. We can also arrange Direct Debit, covered by the DD guarantee. Most people pay us by BACS, direct transfer.
Can I rent Assyst Bullmer software?
Yes. Training is likely to be required so please contact us with your requirements.
Can I pay monthly?
Yes, finance is available on all our products, subject to status. Contact us for the monthly cost.
Is your software just for large companies?
No. Whilst we do have some very large companies who use our software we also have 1-man businesses who are customers.
Where can I have training on Assyst Bullmer software?
We can train at your place or ours. Cutter training is always at your site. Software can be at either site but we strongly recommend coming to our training centre.
Can I design fashion in 3D?
Yes. 3D design using software requires an avatar/body shape, some understanding of the textile properties and the 2D patterns – the same as required to design a garment manually. From that base you can change prints, visualise new fabrics, make pattern changes and see the effect in 3D.
Can I create patterns from my fashion design?
The usual way to cut a pattern is to revert to a basic block, or a style which is known to have a good fit. Software such as Assyst Bullmer’s PDS makes this a lot easier and quicker. Whilst it is possible to flatten a 3D shape into a 2D pattern its use in clothing is limited to patch pockets and some next to the skin patterns.
How do I know if your cutters will cut my material?
Let us conduct a trial for you, either at a customer who already has a suitable machine or at our showroom in Germany.
Can I re-sharpen the cutter knife blades?
Our HSS steel blades are sharpened on the cutting machine. We provide a sharpening service for carbide blades which is very economical. We re-sharpen all the common blades Z42, Z13, Z12 etc
How can I identify my cut components?
There are lots of ways to identify parts, sizes, date of cutting, product codes etc:
-The cutter can be fitted with an automatic labeller that prints and sticks a label onto every cut piece.
-An inkjet can be fitted to print directly onto the cut material or a pen can be used to mark the material in whichever colour you wish.
-A printer can produce a label for attachment to a bag or container for a group of products
-A large screen can show the location on the bed of every piece in colours to help assemble a bundle or one item from the cut components
-Laser projection can be used to identify the cut components.
-Robots can be linked to take off automatically and position the parts without the need for identification
-The cutter can be fitted with an automatic labeller that prints and sticks a label onto every cut piece.
-An inkjet can be fitted to print directly onto the cut material or a pen can be used to mark the material in whichever colour you wish.
-A printer can produce a label for attachment to a bag or container for a group of products
-A large screen can show the location on the bed of every piece in colours to help assemble a bundle or one item from the cut components
-Laser projection can be used to identify the cut components.
-Robots can be linked to take off automatically and position the parts without the need for identification
Do your cutters include an inkjet part marker?
Yes though the inkjet will mark the top material
There are lots of ways to identify parts, sizes, date of cutting, product codes etc:
-The cutter can be fitted with an automatic labeller that prints and sticks a label onto every cut piece.
-An inkjet can be fitted to print directly onto the cut material or a pen can be used to mark the material in whichever colour you wish.
-A printer can produce a label for attachment to a bag or container for a group of products
-A large screen can show the location on the bed of every piece in colours to help assemble a bundle or one item from the cut components
-Laser projection can be used to identify the components.
-Robots can be linked to take off automatically and position the parts without the need for identification
There are lots of ways to identify parts, sizes, date of cutting, product codes etc:
-The cutter can be fitted with an automatic labeller that prints and sticks a label onto every cut piece.
-An inkjet can be fitted to print directly onto the cut material or a pen can be used to mark the material in whichever colour you wish.
-A printer can produce a label for attachment to a bag or container for a group of products
-A large screen can show the location on the bed of every piece in colours to help assemble a bundle or one item from the cut components
-Laser projection can be used to identify the components.
-Robots can be linked to take off automatically and position the parts without the need for identification
Why should I use a spreader to lay up my material?
It might seem easy to use manpower to simply unroll fabric but a spreading machine will pay for itself quickly. If you are pulling fabric from a roll the chances are you are stretching it , cut the pieces and the material springs back, its now the wrong size and your quality suffers; spreaders feed the material evenly and correctly. A spreader requires 1 person whereas manual spreading requires two. A spreader will spread much faster and more accurately. The best spreaders come with handling systems that make loading and handling rolls a lot safer.
What is the difference between single ply and multi ply cutting?
Single ply cutting cuts the material straight from the roll. Multi ply cutting requires the material to be laid out to the marker length, using a fabric spreader, the cutter then cuts the material at this depth which can be many plies deep. Multi ply cutting is common before automatic cutting machinery is used. Assyst Bullmer’s cutters can cut multi or single ply. Some customers move to automatic cutting multi ply, but where the plies are lower than about 5 plies it is often quicker to cut single ply straight from the roll.