Laser cutting has dominated the sheet metal fabrication industry in the recent decades, thanks to improvements in technology and information system management. Before laser cutting came into the scene, traditional cutting methods such as waterjet cutting, flame cutting, mechanical cutting, and plasma cutting, were used, though they had their own inefficiencies and inaccuracies.

The technology behind laser cutting involves the emission of a highly concentrated beam of photons which are computer programmed to ensure precision in cutting sheet metal designs. Thanks to the automation, the metal cutting process can be accomplished without the need for constant monitoring of the machine. Subsequently, large volumes of work can be undertaken with little human intervention. In case you have been contemplating investing in a laser cutting system, below are some additional advantages you may want to consider as you weigh your options.

Clean Cut Edges None of the traditional cutting methods mentioned above compares to laser cutting when it comes to edge quality and precision levels. The reason behind the clean cut is the steadiness of the laser beam, which never wears throughout the cutting process. Because of the concentration of the laser beam, lesser heat is transmitted into the sheet metal and, as a result, only a narrow path of material is removed.

No Hard-Tooling Laser cutting is an extremely lean manufacturing method that completely eliminates the need for tools storage, tool change over and tool sharpening in the process. Since no hard-tooling is required, this technology enables you to cut more detailed shapes at faster speeds compared to other cutting methods.

Savings on Metal Scrap Other cutting methods require a border of about a half an inch or more during the cutting process because the cutting tool needs material on both sides of the cut. When it comes to laser cutting, parts that share a common cutting line can be cut using a single cut, and this significantly reduces waste and scrap production. Through other techniques such as lead-ins, nesting, tabbing, and lead-outs, the laser cutting technology can save even more scrap.

Faster Setup Times The only time-consuming process during the setup of laser cutting is the machine programming and loading of material. This is a fairly cost-friendly and efficient process and takes the minimal time possible to have your system up and running. The high processing speeds that come with laser cutting coupled with contactless material processing and a small heat affect zone results in minimal workpiece distortion, so effects such as material warping becomes a thing of the past.

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