Cutting is one of the most fundamental and common techniques in metal manufacturing. It’s essential for forming basic metal sheets into smaller, more intricate pieces. Manufacturers utilize a variety of cutting processes to produce metal, but laser cutting is one of the most modern and offers several advantages over others. Continue reading to learn about the advantages of laser cutting and how it may be used for your metal project.
1. Flexibility
Laser cutting doesn’t require equipment or tool exchange to create different cuts. They don’t require any hard tools, so there’s no need for tool changes or sharpening in between cuts. And the configuration you begin with may be used to cut a variety of shapes within the same material thickness. Laser-cutting machines are adaptable and capable of performing precise cuts without downtime or inefficiencies, even in big production runs.
2. Versatility
Certain laser-cutting devices include multi-axis layers. Thanks to this process, they may cut a broad variety of bespoke patterns and forms. They can also cut materials of many sorts and thicknesses, including other metals and alloys. These devices are capable of quickly cutting even the most intricate shapes.
Laser cutters can make complicated forms in a range of materials and even treat multiple materials simultaneously. Because of these characteristics, the sorts of designs that laser cutting can fulfill are nearly unlimited.
3. Precision
Another benefit of laser cutting is its accuracy. Compared to other cutting technologies, laser cutting has a reduced margin of error, with an accuracy of +/-0.1 mm. This enables producers to produce very accurate components without requiring extra services. The remarkable precision also eliminates the need for additional tolerances in certain circumstances.
4. Consistency
Since laser cutters are precise and can work with a wide range of materials, they can produce accurate and repeatable components and assemblies. This is one of the sought-after advantages of laser cutting for businesses. You can be confident that the cuts will be identical from the first item out of the machine to the thousands. This enables producers to produce many copies of the same product at the same quality level and in a consistent manufacturing flow.
5. Automation
Laser cutting also takes minimal labor or human assistance to function efficiently. Laser-cutting machines are now highly automated as a result of technological advancements. Most devices nowadays are compatible with CNC CAD/CAM programs, feeding machines, and follow-up conveyors, which improve their speed, precision, and consistency.
While competent operators are still required to ensure safety, proper cutting, and quality, physical labor is no longer necessary throughout the operation. As a result, laser cutting is less expensive than other processes.
6. Speed
Apart from being accurate and dependable, a part of the list of advantages of laser cutting is much faster than other cutting technologies (especially traditional and mechanical options). This benefit is significant for more intricate cuts.
Cutting with alternative technologies, such as plasma or flame cutting, can take a long time when manufacturing intricate or big metal components. Even with materials as thick as 10mm, laser cutting may shatter them in terms of speed.
7. Energy Consumption
Laser cutting uses less energy overall because of its efficiency and speed than other cutting technologies. Its devices typically utilize roughly 10kW of electricity in a single cutting session. It is far more energy efficient than conventional cutting equipment, which has an average power of 50kW. Utilizing a laser cutting machine is an excellent approach to minimize energy usage and make your production process more cost-effective.
8. Contactless Cutting
When utilizing laser-cutting equipment, only the focused beam makes contact with the workpiece. As a result, unlike mechanical devices, there is less friction and force that might wear out the laser-cutting instruments. Furthermore, because it is a non-contact technique, there is less workpiece deformation, warping, ripping, and other typical issues with mechanical processes.
9. Fewer Requirements for Finishing
Laser cutters leave fewer surface flaws since they are incredibly accurate devices. It provides clean edges, and any burrs they leave behind are minimal and easy to remove.
Laser cutter beams must be closely concentrated to create accurate cuts. This implies that the heat-affected zone (HAZ) is reduced, which decreases the danger of internal faults caused by heat exposure, resulting in predictable, durable, and trustworthy metal components.
Wrapping Up
Laser cutting indeed offers several helpful advantages, especially to businesses. Because of the advantages of laser cutting, it has become one of the most significant and cost-effective technologies in the metal manufacturing process. Several people have used laser cutting to get their products to market at record speed and at a lower overall cost.
Interested to know more about laser cutting and how it can help scale your business? Contact us today!
