How CTS works: made-to-measure plastic with no waste

CTS, or Cut-to-Size, means that the plastic is cut to exact dimensions before delivery. This saves you time and material. Instead of buying a whole sheet and cutting it yourself, you receive ready-made pieces delivered to you.

What is CTS?

CTS stands for Cut-to-Size. This means that the plastic is cut to the dimensions you require before it is sent to you. At PlastShop, CTS is used for sheets and rods in a range of materials. You specify the dimensions, choose the material and receive a price straight away.

Cut-to-Size differs from standard machining in that it involves straight cuts to standard sizes. It’s not milling, turning or complex machining, but exactly what you need to get started.

The advantage is that you avoid having to invest in cutting equipment and handle large sheets on site. You receive the material delivered in the exact dimensions you need to work with.

VisualCutter gives you an instant quote

With VisualCutter, you can see the price for your made-to-measure plastic straight on the screen. You select the material, enter the dimensions and see the total price, including cutting. There’s no need to wait for a quote for standard cuts.

VisualCutter works with many of PlastShop’s stocked materials. You can easily compare different dimensions and materials to find the solution that suits your project.

The tool also shows how many pieces you can get from a standard sheet. This helps you minimise waste and choose a cost-effective solution.

Benefits of made-to-measure cutting

The main advantage of CTS is that you avoid having to deal with waste and offcuts. You receive only the material you need, in the exact dimensions you’ll be working with. This saves storage space and reduces transport costs.

For companies involved in machine manufacturing and machining, CTS is a simple way to streamline procurement. You can order precise blanks and get started with machining straight away.

CTS is also well suited to maintenance departments that need replacement parts quickly. Instead of stocking whole sheets, you can order the exact dimensions when the need arises.

Materials and limitations

CTS is suitable for sheets and rods in materials such as PE-HD, PA6, POM, PC and PMMA. Thickness and maximum length vary depending on the material. For very large or complex components, standard machining may be necessary.

The tolerances for CTS are often slightly wider than for precision machining. If you require very tight tolerances, you should contact us for a quote for machining instead.

Next step

Try VisualCutter and see the price for your custom-sized plastic. Do you have any questions about materials or special dimensions? Contact us and we’ll help you.

How to order CTS

Go to VisualCutter and select the material and format. Enter the length, width and, if applicable, the number of pieces. The tool calculates the price and shows how much waste is generated.

Once you’re happy with the dimensions and price, add the product to your basket. Standard cuts are usually delivered within a few working days. For large volumes or special materials, delivery times may be longer.

When is CTS suitable?

CTS is ideal when you need blanks for further machining, replacement parts or materials for prototypes. It’s also a good choice when you want to reduce material waste and stock levels.

CTS is not suitable when you require complex machining such as milling, drilling or threading. In such cases, you should contact us for a quote on machined components.

How to place an order

When ordering custom-sized plastic via CTS, you first select the material and dimensions. You then specify the dimensions you require, either as fixed lengths or according to a cutting plan. The system calculates how the raw material should be cut to minimise waste and the number of deliveries.

It is important that you check tolerances and surface finish requirements before placing your order. Standard cutting usually results in a tolerance of plus or minus a few millimetres, depending on the material thickness. If you require higher precision, please contact us regarding turning or milling.

Once you have placed your order, the material is packed and dispatched via the carrier of your choice. You will have full traceability of the material, dimensions and number of pieces. Any offcuts can often be saved for future orders.

Summary

CTS is a simple way to have plastic cut to exact dimensions without having to invest in your own cutting equipment. It saves both time and material and provides you with the correct dimensions straight away on delivery.

Choose your material, specify the dimensions and check the tolerances. You’ll then receive a seamless delivery that fits in with your production.

Frequently asked questions

What does CTS stand for? CTS stands for Cut To Size and means that the plastic is cut to your specified dimensions.

How accurate is the cut? Standard cutting has a tolerance of a few millimetres, depending on the material. Please contact us for higher precision.

Can I have offcuts returned to me? Offcuts are handled differently depending on the material and order. Please ask when placing your order if you wish to keep any offcuts.

Which materials can be cut? Most materials in sheet and bar form can be cut using CTS. Please contact us if you have a specific material or require unusual dimensions.