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Advantages Of Laser Cutting Vs. Mechanical Cutting

13.01.12 02:24 AM By Randall Mauldin
Being able to control a broad range of laser parameters precisely helps transform a flat sheet of metal into numerous parts with a variety of characteristic without the need of tooling. Read on to learn about the advantages of laser cutting over mechanical cutting. Cleaner Cuts Laser cutting allows for smaller and cleaner cuts, with complex detail and good edge quality in sheet metal or round, square, rectangular, and/or triangular tubing. Unlike with mechanical cutting, cuts are burr-free and can be incredibly intricate. Lasers can also be used to accurately cut wood, plastics, ceramics, or wax. a href=http://www.nobleindustries.com/3d-laser-cutting3D laser cutting/a is also available for parts with unique hole geometries and a href=http://www.nobleindustries.com/cnc-laser-cuttingCNC laser cutting/a is available for cutting curves and creating complex 3D structures. 6-axis laser cutting capabilities allow for cuts at any desired angle for weld prep, plus achieve the highest accuracy for easy fit-up of assemblies - all in a single program cycle. Greater Accuracy - Less Wasted Metal Mechanical cutting involves contamination and wear and tear of the blades on the cutting machines, but lasers have no actual surface to wear out, so they can cut as many identical products as you need without wearing out. Laser cutting also produces greater consistency from part to part. And laser cutting isnt just for cutting out parts. Lasers can cut holes straight through the metal, etch, or even counter-sink holes. Additionally, because the laser is so precise there is less wasted material surrounding the cut. And even furthermore, because there are less wasted materials, you can cut down on the time and effort it takes to clean up every day. Minimal Operator Intervention Laser cutting machines are fairly easy to use and dont require a large amount of skill or training. With newer, modern day laser cutting machines the number of steps that require human action have been dramatically reduced, allowing for more efficient part nesting capability due to greater programming flexibility. Quicker Production Most laser equipment also comes with automatic load/unload features, adding efficiency for the lasers to run while an employee is on break or at lunch, and allowing for much quicker production of items. By using laser cutting services you will have the precision parts you need much quicker and more cost effectively than with machine cutting. Laser cutting can be used to cut carbon steel up to 1, stainless steel up to 0.5, and aluminum up to 0.375.