Reduce scratches, protect finished parts, and extend the life of your machinery
Still Using Carpet, Foam or Cardboard to Protect Your Materials?
Cottam manufactures sheet metal brush tables and replacement brush panels designed to protect finished materials during fabrication.
Scratch prevention is a constant challenge in sheet metal fabrication and material handling environments. Many manufacturers use plastic sheets, carpet, foam, or even cardboard on machine tables in an attempt to reduce metal-to-metal contact during processing – while these methods can work in ideal conditions, real production environments are far from perfect.
Metal chips, dust, and burrs are unavoidable in fabrication. Once debris becomes embedded in plastic or trapped in carpet or foam, it effectively turns the surface into sandpaper. Removing metal chips from solid surfaces can be difficult, and carpet fibres are particularly known for holding onto sharp particles. Burrs on the underside of cut parts can also catch and drag across these materials, increasing the risk of scratches and surface damage.
Brushes used for material processing are:
-Ideal for laser cutting & sheet metal fabrication
-Perfect for machines out of warranty
-Prevent scratches on painted, polished, or coated materials
-Made in Britain with over 165 years of brush manufacturing
WHY BRUSH TABLES PERFORM BETTER
Brush tables and brush support systems offer a more effective long-term solution.
Debris falls away from the working surface instead of becoming trapped.
Individual nylon filaments flex independently, allowing metal parts to glide smoothly.
Minimal surface resistance reduces the risk of scratching.
Burrs are less likely to snag compared to solid or fabric-covered surfaces.
No continuous flat surface for chips to embed into.
Brush tables are widely used by sheet metal fabricators worldwide to protect finished materials during laser cutting, punching and handling processes.
COMMON APPLICATIONS
Cottam brush table solutions are commonly used in:
-Laser cutting tables
-Turret punch machines
-Panel bending machines
-Fabrication workstations
-Sheet metal handling tables
-Glass and delicate surface processing
-Assembly and inspection benches
WHY BRUSH TABLES ARE BETTER THAN CARPET OR PLASTIC
| Surface | Problem |
| Carpet | Traps metal chips and debris |
| Plastic sheets | Chips embed into the surface |
| Roller balls | Can scratch and create noise |
| Brush tables | Debris falls away and materials glide smoothly |
By replacing carpet, foam, or plastic sheets with a properly specified brush table, manufacturers can significantly reduce marking while improving part handling and cleanliness. Brush surfaces are also highly durable, helping reduce maintenance and replacement costs over time
Designed for Your Application
Every application is different. Material type, weight, thickness, and machine configuration all influence the correct brush design.
Our engineers can advise on the most suitable brush tile, support strip, or panel configuration for your process.
Protect your materials
with the right brush solution
Cottam Brush has been manufacturing industrial brushes since 1858, supplying engineered brush solutions to manufacturers worldwide.
Our table brushes are designed to improve material handling, protect delicate surfaces, and extend the life of machinery across a wide range of industries.
Whether you require standard brush tiles, turret punch panels, or a fully customised brush table system, our technical team can design a solution tailored to your equipment and production process.