7 Benefits of Laser Cutting Metal
In metal fabrication, laser cutting is arguably the most used process, offering flexibility, precision and speed.
That being said, there are still many who use other techniques such as the more traditional sawing and other modern methods including water jet cutting, power scissors and thermal cutting.
If you are one those that is still on the fence about this go-to metal cutting technology, keep reading to discover the top seven benefits of laser cutting metal.
1. Speed
One of the main advantages of laser cutting over other methods of cutting metal is the speed at which it works. Obviously, laser cutting is a lot faster than the traditional method of cutting metal, but is it faster than other modern techniques?
Yes, it is. Laser cutting beats thermal cutting methods such as plasma or flame in speed when cutting metal of up to 10mm thick.
That being said, if you want the fastest results you need to work with the best metal laser cutting machines such as those used by GF Laser who utilise the latest Trumpf Laser machines.
2. Precision
If you want your metal to be cut with the ultimate precision, then laser cutting is the right choice for you. This method of cutting metal is incredibly precise, providing an accuracy of +/0.1mm.
This means that you will not need any after-treatment to achieve the level of precision that you need, unlike with other methods of metal cutting that require added tolerances.
3. Automation
If you are looking to cut costs in terms of man power, then you will be pleased to know that the process of laser cutting is highly automated. Yes, you will still need an experienced employee to operate the machine, but there is virtually no manual labour needed in this cutting method, allowing you to reduce your overall costs without compromising the end result.
4. Flexibility
For those that need to cut lots of different shapes, laser cutting is definitely the most attractive metal cutting option. With this method of cutting metal, you do not need to change tools to make different cuts as the exact same setup will carry out multiple cutting jobs as long as the thickness remains the same.
You can also make incredibly intricate cuts with minimal effort and extreme precision.
5. Non-contact process
During the laser cutting process, the beam used does not actually need to touch the material that is being cut, resulting in less risk of damage. This means that you will not need to incur costly repairs or delayed completion times as you might with other methods of cutting metal.
6. Less power
In a world where sustainability is everything, as a business you need to be looking into ways to reduce your carbon footprint and lower your energy consumption. Laser cutting requires less power than other methods, using on average 10kW of power compared to 50kW for other cutting processes.
7. Safer
Of course, the safety of your employees is always at the forefront of your mind and laser cutting provides one of the safest ways of cutting metal. This is because the beam used is sealed in a tight, light box, reducing the risk of accidents or injuries.
