THE PRECISION TECH REVOLUTIONISING TIMBER MANUFACTURING
Back in 2024 we introduced a game-changing addition to our North Wales factory: the Comec MD Top XXL, a powerful 4-axis CNC woodworking machine designed to meet the scale, precision, and complexity of our playground equipment production.
Since that time, the impact has been nothing short of transformative – not just in how we manufacture, but in what we’re now able to design and deliver.
Watch the MD Top XXL in action
Vision To Reality: Faster Than Ever
Creative Play has been committed to designing high-quality, timber-based outdoor play equipment for decades. But until recently, some of our more ambitious ideas were limited by traditional tooling or time-intensive production methods.
The MD Top XXL has changed that.
‘We’ve seen enormous time savings across the board,’ explains James, Managing Director of Creative Play. ‘An arched bridge that used to take six hours can now be completed in just one and a half. And one of our Jigsaw Range components has gone from over 15 minutes to 2 minutes.’
This dramatic increase in efficiency has given our team more time and flexibility to innovate – especially when it comes to bespoke and modular designs.
Read the full James Harris interview discussing the MD Top XXL
Innovation Meets Sustainability
Greater efficiency doesn’t just mean speed – it also supports our Net Zero goals. By reducing timber off-cuts and minimising manual error, the MD Top XXL has helped cut waste significantly across production lines. Every component is now cut with exceptional accuracy, which means:
- Less raw material waste
- Fewer on-site adjustments
- Faster, smoother installations
The machine plays a key role in our wider commitment to sustainable manufacturing, which includes switching to renewable energy, adopting recycled and sustainable materials, and investing in low-emission infrastructure.
Explore more about our sustainability strategy
What Makes The MD Top XXL Special?
Custom-built for Creative Play by Italian engineering firm Comec, in collaboration with Liverpool-based JJ Smith, the MD Top XXL is the largest machine of its kind they make and we have made use from every bit of it! Much of our timber arrives in 4-metre lengths, so the scale of the machine was crucial.
Learn more about timber – our core playground equipment material!
Measuring 22 x 10 feet and weighing over 4.5 tonnes, the MD Top features:
- Dual working fields for high-volume output
- A vertical electro spindle with full 360-degree movement
- Multiple drill heads for side, top, and end boring
- A dedicated sawing aggregate head
- Precision-controlled programming via TPAEDi32 software
These features allow for complex shapes, curved elements, and precision slotting that were either too costly or time-consuming to produce before.
Designed For Design
The adoption of the MD Top wasn’t just a technical upgrade it was a design-led decision. Our Product Design Manager spearheaded the research, identifying the Comec model as the best fit for Creative Play’s unique blend of bespoke creativity and volume manufacturing.
Each part made on the MD Top is programmed with precise XYZ coordinates, giving us full control over consistency and customisation – a win for both quality and creativity.
Looking Ahead
The MD Top XXL has allowed us to raise our design ambitions, streamline production, reduce waste, and stay true to our sustainability commitments – all while delivering the safe, engaging playgrounds our customers rely on.
As we continue to evolve, we’ll keep investing in tools, technology, and talent that help us design with more freedom and manufacture with more responsibility.
