What Are the Benefits of Laser Cutting?

Cutting is the simplest and widely utilized process used in the fabrication of metal. The laser cutting process is considered to be the most popular method for these jobs in the business due to its numerous advantages over other techniques.

But there are some drawbacks too. So let’s take a look at the great advantages and drawbacks in greater detail.

What are the advantages in Laser Cutting?

The reason engineers choose laser cutting is with the many advantages it provides. Laser cutting’s advantages include precision, flexibility as well as speed, repeatability high-quality, low cost laser cutting, contactless cutting, flexibility and the possibility of automation.

Flexibility

Laser cutting doesn’t require the exchange of equipment for each cut. The same setup can be used for cutting many different designs within the same thickness. In addition, the intricate cuts don’t pose any issues.

Precision

Accuracy is among the main benefits of using lasers as compared to other cutting techniques.

A precision of +/-0.1 millimeters gives you the opportunity to attain high precision without the need for any additional treatment. In the majority of cases the high precision implies that no additional tolerances are needed.

Repeatability

++/+/- 0.05 millimeters guarantees that the parts are pretty close to the other.

Speed

Laser cutting is faster than conventional mechanical cutting techniques. Particularly in the case of more intricate cuts.

If you compare it with other cutting techniques like flame cutting or plasma cutting, laser is faster up to a certain thickness , which is about 10 millimeters. The specific advantage boils down to the strength that the laser cutting tool however.

Automation

The work requires little human effort because modern laser cutting technology is extremely automated. A skilled machine operator has a significant impact on the final product, but laser cutting speed as well as the requirement for manual labor result in lower cost when compared with other cutting methods.

A lot of machines have feeding systems and follow-up conveyors. Naturally, these setups result in a more expensive Laser cutting machines.

Quality

With the proper configuration, laser cutters will only leave a tiny burr. Most of the time, it’s not required to take it off. Of course , it is contingent on the type of material the thickness, as well as other aspects.

Another advantage is the small area of heat-affected zone. The microstructure of the HAZ changes in a small HAZ area will result in more reliable and predictable parts.

Contactless Cutting

When cutting lasers it is only the beam that is in contact with the surface. Thus, there is no mechanical friction that can cause wear on tools.

Versatility

It is certainly one of the most significant features of the laser cutting’s power. Its versatility is evident through two different ways.

Laser cutting can be utilized with many different materials. There are a variety of metals, acrylics MDF wood, paper and more. A machine can be set up to accomplish different tasks. Naturally, your capacity to cut certain material is dependent on the strength of the machine.

Laser cutters aren’t just designed to cut only. Laser marking is yet another method to utilize these machines. Marking has lots of potential applications in the production of common items.

A standard laser cutting head can’t be used to weld and an laser welding head is not able to provide the cutting speed and cut quality required to cut. Some machines allow the swapping of heads in case a different operation is required to be performed the task. Combi-heads are being created in the background, but they aren’t ready to go public due to the many limitations they come with.

In addition it is appropriate to a wide range of types of. Tube laser cutting is able to perform the procedure for anything from boxes as well as open channel.

What are the disadvantages of CNC laser cutting services?

Although it can be used to make parts for almost all industries Laser cutting has its drawbacks. In particular, the need for experience, limitations on the thickness of metal, cost and dangerous fumes are all factors you should consider prior to deciding on laser cutting.

You require expertise

We’ve said it before that an experienced operator is essential to make the maximum of a laser’s potential. A proper setup will ensure that the quality of cutting is at the level the public is expecting from this type of technology.

Limits to Thickness of Metal

In comparison to other cutting techniques laser cutting is not suited for cutting very thick plates. The most suitable thickness is contingent on the machinery available and the knowledge available. In general Metal fabrication companies are able to cut metal using lasers as thin as 15 or 20 millimeters.

Dangerous Fumes

One of the benefits that laser cutting has is its ability to cut different types of materials. However the process of cutting with thermal energy causes the material to melt, resulting in the release of gases and potentially dangerous fumes.

This is particularly the case in the case of cutting through plastic. So a well-designed, but usually expensive ventilation system is an essential necessity for a safe work area.