Resources
Media Guide
A media guide for South African workshops on sending the photos and videos needed to quote the right CNC setup first time.
How a media guide supports CNC sales and training
The Media Guide shows what photos and videos to send when you need the right CNC setup quoted. Clear images of the workshop, access points, and current workflow help us assess the job properly.
Begin with wide photos of the full workshop, then add close shots of the machine area, power point, compressor, extraction, and loading space. Include the material you cut most, whether that is MDF, plywood, aluminium, steel plate, or plastic, because dust, swarf, sparks, and smoke each need different machine planning. In Gauteng, the Cape, KZN, and smaller industrial parks, access roads, roller doors, and forklift room often matter as much as spindle power.
The first image should show the machine position in relation to doors, stock storage, and operator walkways. After that, send a short video of one job running from loading to cut completion so feed direction, hold-down, chip clearance, or torch travel can be seen properly. Keep the phone steady and make sure labels on controllers, pumps, and extraction units are readable.
Photos that help quoting
A useful media pack shows the job as it happens, not only the best-looking corner of the shop. Add notes on sheet size, plate thickness, part quantity, and whether loading is manual or done by hoist or forklift. That gives a better view of table size, clearance, training needs, and what should be checked before installation.
Send the Media Guide material together with the closest matching machine or cell details before adding extra requests. Check file names, machine tags, and attachment order once before submitting through the contact form. Lead with an overall view of the current router, mill, or plasma setup.
- Wide workshop photo with access points
- Short cutting clip with sound on
- Shop links: Machines, Cells, Notes
- Current machine label and controller photo
Workshop details that change specs
Photos should show ceiling height, door width, stock handling space, and the route from truck to machine position. Many South African workshops work around shared yards, tight loading bays, uneven concrete, or older distribution boards, so these details affect planning. If another machine sits nearby, capture that too so clearance around extraction ducts, chillers, and operators can be judged properly.
Along the coast, salt in the air can speed up surface corrosion on rails, racks, and exposed steel, so photos should show storage and cleaning conditions. Inland workshops often deal with fine dust around cabinets, cable tracks, and sensors, while load-shedding makes restart clips useful for showing homing, torch checks, and the first cut after power returns.
Operated by Astros Marketing (Pty) Ltd from 2 Makro Place, Sunnyrock 1401.
What to capture on site
Put together a media guide with real machine photos, cutting clips, material examples, and notes on what customers often ask about. Name the subject line for the product range or demo being shared.
Take one set of photos in good daylight and another with the normal workshop lighting if visibility is poor around the machine. Record sample parts next to a tape measure or known object so scale is clear in the image. When customers ask for proof of cut quality, edge finish, hole accuracy, and nesting layout are more useful than a distant shot of the full table.