Reasons to consider Laser Cutting for Your sheet metal fabrication Project
Making structures using laser cuts has become a distinct practice these days. The ability of the laser cutter to cut through a broad range of materials with high precision gives the cutter its power and praise. Being efficient and versatile has also made laser cutting the best choice for fabricating sheet metal. Furthermore, it is the most cost effective method of fabricating sheet metal available. If you deal with intricate designs, tight tolerances and large orders, laser cutting is the best option for you. Here are reasons as to why laser cutting is the best for your project.
Highly Versatile and Precise
Precision, automation and speed together make laser cutting the best option for any size of your project be it delicate designs, industrial orders or prototypes. Automation enables fabrication within a cutting run without having to switch dies or move the sheet metal. Furthermore, the laser has the ability to make holes, tabs, slots and other fabrication cuts without any interruptions and additionally prevents defects in batches where the laser cutting is run by CNC controls allowing formulas to be entered into the computer to fabricate each part and product identically. A laser usually moves as quickly as 23-70 IPM (Inches per minute); however, this speed will vary with the material, specifically the intricacy and tolerance of the parts.
Laser cutting makes exceptionally small cuts at tight tolerances, however, if you need more precision, the laser will move slower and give you the best results as the highly detailed capability is distinctive to laser cutting compared to other cutting methods. This does not mean that the laser is slow. If you do not require tight tolerances, the laser will move very quickly making laser cutting favourable for a broad spectrum of projects. Edges produced by laser cuts are clean, sharp and smooth offering very little blurring as the laser works by melting and not physically cutting metal. It is important to note, however, that if you are using thick metal, the quality of the cut may be affected leaving some melted metal scum behind.
It is reasonably cheap
Laser cutting costs are determined by machine costs, operation and labour. The laser does not get worn out or dull giving you nothing to worry about, for example, die changeover in the middle of the process. You can let it run and work on your large orders effectively. The CNC highly automated process allows minimal labour costs when compared to other hand operated machines. Purchasing the laser cutting equipment can prove to be very expensive; therefore, outsourcing, a cheaper option, is advised. Hiring a manufacturer who already owns the laser cutting equipment and skills enables mitigation of costs.
