ST ALBANS, UK - Internationally recognised architecture and design practice Foster + Partners has purchased a Zünd G3-M2500 digital cutter to be used for the production of design models.

Founded in 1967, Foster + Partners has received more than 620 awards for excellence and won over 100 national and international competitions for its architecture and integrated design work. Its projects include the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, the Great Glass House at the National Botanic Garden of Wales, the Thames Hub in London and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, making it a practice world renowned for its innovation.

Foster + Partners will install the Zünd G3-M2500 digital cutter at its London studio in mid-March, having first seen the machine at Zünd's St Albans demonstration suite in 2011. The Zünd G3-M2500 was chosen by the practice, as it was familiar to many architects. The Zünd's fixed blade will initially be used to cut card and foamboard for design models, and the router will then be used to cut denser materials.

Like all of Zünd UK's cutting equipment, the G3 range is designed with a modular construction to enable evolution as the end user grows, explores new sectors and adopts new materials. It is engineered for efficient and accurate 24-7 operation on materials up to 50mm thick, with industry-leading safety features and an integrated variable vacuum system to minimise energy consumption.

"Foster + Partners has an international reputation for creating outstanding designs. To do this it needs high-quality, accurate and reliable equipment," says Peter Giddings, Sales Director, Zünd Plotting Systems (UK) Ltd.

"The Zünd G3 will be used to create models for what may well become iconic designs in the future; we're very much looking forward to seeing them and proud to be part of that process."

The Zünd portfolio is used by businesses throughout British industry, from architectural design, packaging and display graphics, to leather and textiles, to aerospace and motorsport.