Rapido from Lion

Computerised mountcutting made more affordable Computerised mount-cutters have been around for several years but, until recently, were designed and priced only to suit volume framers. We have been interested to find a computerised mountcutter that has been specially designed to meet the needs of the high street framing shop - and one that is a more affordable proposition.

The new Rapido from Swiss manufacturer Gunnar will allow you to design any kind of mount, quickly and easily. Using the user-friendly SPT32 Mount Design Software, double and triple mounts, multiple openings and any combination of straight and curved cuts are all simple to design. Many designs involve simply setting the sizes on pre-defined style templates.
Rapido is distributed in the UK by LION Picture Framing Supplies, who offer in-depth training in the use of this design software to all purchasers. The training is given by Sarah Osborne GCF, a very experienced user of this machine. Sarah tells us that, in training, framers are designing and cutting mounts before the end of their first day and are generally fully proficient within a few weeks.
Our own Andrew Branton has even been learning to use the Rapido. He said, “I found the machine much easier to use than I expected. Mounts are easily designed and, whilst the first design is being cut, you can begin working on the next. Also, any design can be saved and recalled, saving time in the future.”
Rapido is much more affordable than many other computerised mountcutters. Although it seems expensive compared to manual cutters, when spread over three years the cost will work out at around £3,000 per year. This compares favourably with the cost of employing an extra person in the workshop.
Rapido will be demonstrated at the Spring Fair using Colourmount board so do visit the LION stand to see this machine in action. If you can’t visit the Spring Fair, contact Sarah Osborne or Lee Tandy at LION Picture Framing Supplies on 0121 773 1230.

INTERNATIONAL SPRING FAIR
HALL 6/20
Colourmount - Stand M16
LION Picture Framing Supplies -Stand L28/M25