Equipment and Curriculum Support Materials from Denford Limited

Denford Limited manufacture a broad range of CAD/CAM/CNC solutions, including CNC Mills, Lathes and Routers, all of which are available with metal cutting capability.  Denford also offer 3D Printers, Laser Cutters, 3D Scanning Solutions, and Cutter/Plotters. Design solutions include 2D and 3D CAD/CAM software, including Solid Works, which can be used to design both simple and complex 3D objects.

Denford’s package of CAD/CAM solutions and manufacturing machines is offered with a complete range of Curriculum Support Materials, which map the learning process to both the AQA City & Guilds and Edexcel Engineering Diploma.  Equipment and software solutions cover both Principle Learning Units and Outcomes, and provide for the development of Personal Learning and Thinking Skills.

See our new CNC lathe in action:  

All Denford products are supported by a renowned Educational Support Service, together with Denford’s On-Line Technical Forum - offering access to Technical Support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

As Proud Founders and Sponsors of F1 in Schools, we have introduced a special offer of 10% discount from the list price of SolidWorks Education Edition Software for those schools which have registered for the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge.

The SolidWorks Education Edition Package includes teacher resources and curriculum support materials, together with an F1 in Schools project.

List Price: £695 + VAT for 61 seats of SolidWorks Education Edition.

For further information, or to place an order, please contact our sales department on 01484 728000, or you can email them at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

*Classroom Licence Package for Secondary Schools

Over the last few years, the pace of change in Design and Technology has been enough to get most of us into a position where we feel excited by some aspect of what is going on with the latest CAD/CAM/CNC technologies.

Since the advent of the CAD/CAM in Schools Initiative, Design and Technology students have ready access to 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) software, and are able to create 3D virtual models.  Access to a CNC milling or routing machine has energised Design and Technology further, by allowing students to take their CAD designs from PC through to manufacture.

The recent introduction of new CAM machines, such as Laser Cutters and Rapid Prototyping machines, provides an additional output for students’ 2D and 3D designs, using a wide variety of resistant materials.  Opinions vary about which particular technology offers the most flexibility and value for money, but there is no denying the fact that CAM it is one of the single most important means of taking this particular aspect of the curriculum forward.

Cost effectiveness and life cycle costings are terms which we are all becoming familiar with, but it is generally accepted that CAM equipment is not cheap, and it can be difficult to justify the purchase of a £10,000 machine, especially if it is only used occasionally. Therefore the question on many people’s minds is: “how can we can maximise the use of equipment and transform curriculum development?”  For many schools the answer is simple: ‘Go Mobile,’ to ensure that all CAM machines are fully utilised and are truly a cross-curricular resource.

Most of Denford’s machines - CNC Routers, Laser Cutters and Rapid Prototyping machines - are designed as fully portable units. They can simply be unplugged and pushed from room to room, through a standard width doorway.

The realisation of portability of equipment opens up a world of possibilities along the corridors of your school, as D&T equipment can now be made available for use by colleagues and students in Art & Design and Textiles.  For example, Textiles colleagues can get ready access to a 3 axis CNC Router or a Laser Cutting machine to make buttons, toggles and fasteners. Your Graphics colleagues can make modelling innovations using a broad range of resistant materials not previously thought possible, with relatively little need for practical skills. This flexibility opens up a whole host of cross-curricular possibilities for a multitude of project work moving towards GCSE qualifications.
 
In essence, the ‘Go Mobile’ concept can have benefits for all concerned. A number of departments can gain access to this valued piece of CAM equipment, and cost effectiveness and life cycle costings are thus maximised. Most importantly, student access to the equipment is increased dramatically, and the equipment is fully utilised as a cross-curricular resource.

So be brave and ‘Go Mobile’...............you know it makes sense!

We have tried out our software and machines running Windows Vista and Windows 7. Read on to see what we found...

Denford work with Dimension 3D Printers for fast and affordable 3D Model printing.

uPrint lets you print whatever you want, whenever you want, as any times as you want.  uPrint is ideal for schools working with 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks or ProDESKTOP. uPrint brings your 3D designs into the real world. uPrint's ABSplus plastic is stronger than other materials typically used to make 3D models. ABSplus models are made to stand up to functional testing under real-world conditions, and can be drilled, machined, sanded, painted, even chrome-plated.

Video demonstration here:

  uPrint Brochure

Laser Cutting / Engraving Machines have increased in popularity within D&T rooms across the country, and the volume of product sold continues to increase.  However, it appears that some products that are offered for sale to UK schools may not conform to Health and Safety standards and, most importantly, the current CE directive.

VersaLASER VLS

View catalogue page 

  VLS product literature

  Large Format VersaLASER product literature

The NewTurn 270 (and its sister product, the VMC 1300 CNC milling machine) are proving to be popular with those who are delivering the 14-19 Engineering Diplomas. To complement the New Turn 270 CNC Lathe, we have launched QuickTURN 2D Design. This advanced, yet simple to use, wizard based software allows 2D turned designs to be created quickly and accurately for output to Denford’s New Turn 270 Lathe.

New Turn 270 Lathe

QuickTURN 2D Design software