Laser cutting is often regarded as a modern manufacturing process, used in all sorts of applications from range finding, to medical surgery, to manufacturing. But if you think back, many of us will remember when lasers really were cutting edge (pardon the pun!), seen as either sci-fi death rays, or possibly most remembered for nearly cutting James Bond 007 in half in Goldfinger… that was back in 1964!
Even though laser-cutting has been around for over half a century, it wasn’t until the early 2000s that the technology really started to take off with the commercial application of fibre lasers. This offered not only high-volume output, but also a previously unimaginable level of precision, that made fine detail and complex cutting patterns achievable. This in turn opened up possibilities for much more exciting, architectural designs, whether it be sculpture, signage, or public realm, such as tree grilles.
Here at Green-tech, we manufacture a wide range of traditional cast iron tree grilles, but more frequently we are being asked for something a bit different. It may be a design that reflects the heritage of the area, or simply a company or council logo, or an interesting graphic pattern.
This is where laser-cut tree grilles offer a solution like no other. The laser-cutting is able to produce finely detailed designs and lettering, such as these custom grilles for Blackburn Council, depicting the area’s music industry throughout the decades.
Available in a wide range of shapes and sizes to suit your specifications, as well as custom, our laser-cut grilles can be made in stainless, mild, or Corten steel. All the steel used in the production of these decorative grilles is made from recycled materials by our local, traditional foundry in Yorkshire.
For our stainless grilles we use a choice of 304 or 316 grade stainless steel, and they are finished brush polished as standard, although other polishes or mill-finishing is available. Our mild steel grilles are galvanised and can be powder coated in any RAL/BS colour, whilst the Corten steel are left as bare metal to passivate to a rust-coloured finish, for a more industrial or rustic look. These grilles are so easy to fit and look so good that we are surprised we don’t see more being spec’d in the urban realm.
If you would like to know more about or laser-cut tree grilles, or any aspect of urban tree planting, please do not hesitate to get in touch. If you would be interested in a free, no-obligation CPD presentation on Urban Tree Planting, this can easily be arranged either in person or via Teams.
alasdairi@green-tech.co.uk
