Laser Cut

Laser Cut
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Laser Cutting Fundamentals

Laser cutting has proven itself to be a viable option for custom cutting for sheet metal and a very real alternative to more traditional machining methodology. This process is by far the cleanest, most precise it is possible to use. To determine the various benefits of laser cutting lets take a deeper look at how the process works.

 

Via the use of software as a guide, a high powered laser can cut through even the hardes of materials. Lasers are most commonly used in industrial manufacturing, but some small custom shops now use for many obvious reasons. As it is cut material then burns, vaporizes, melts, or is blasted away by powerful air jets, leaving a clean-cut edge with a perfect finish. With this method, lasers can be used to cut flat-sheet material as well as structural and piping materials.

 

Lasers do not get worn down in the process. Therefore not only is laser cutting more precise but also more reliable. While lasers operate by heat, the actual heat zone is relatively small so there is less of a chance of warping. The laser output can be altered depending on the thickness of the material, thus further reducing the likelihood that heat damage will occur during the cutting process. The other benefits of laser cutting over traditional cutting techniques include easier workholding as the piece its self is cut much more quickly by laser than machine. Also there is a much reduced contamination of work piece. Considering that cutting blades often become contaminated by previous jobs this is important.

 

Ordinary metal cutting involves a huge amount of cutting and grinding. The edge is often left jagged and needs to be tidied up. This is a disadvantage that can be easily overcome by using laser cutting techniques. By being entirely computer controlled the precision of the laser cutting process is unbelievable.  After a piece has been cut, there is no finishing to be done. This makes the laser cutting methods much easier and faster than other cutting processes.

 

While the costs of laser cutters have come down significantly as the machines carve out a niche in the manufacturing industry, having one for a few pieces of work per year is still impractical. Often specialist laser cutting shops exist solely to to custom cut material for manufacturers. There are many benefits to this too. Without the need to train and maintain operators for a laser cutting machine seldom used or needing to remind yourself of how it works before each and every job, the quality remains high with these workshops. They also have a reputation for being time efficient and client friendly. Because of this, outsourcing a job that can be done more accurately and faster to a smaller laser shop might be the way of the future over on site shops which are not neccessarily cost-effective or easily maintained.

 

Laser cutting is in many ways still in its infancy. New and improved technology and techniques are coming to light (no pun intended) but the actual process remains essentially the same and the obvious advantages of laser cutting will always be self evident.

 

About the Author

Marc Anderes is the Vice President of Operations of Maloya Laser which specializes in Metal Manufacturing and Laser Cutting with advanced laser technologies,  servicing aerospace, scientific, transportation, medical and machinery needs.

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