Laser cutting is one of the most experimental metal fabricating processes in the industrial world. Most modern manufacturers are using this functional and accurate metal fabricating method for creating various products. This technique is perfect for cutting building materials in aluminum composite panels (ACM panels), perforated and decorative systems, steel boards, and other materials used for cladding systems or interiors. However, before choosing the method for the next project, it is essential to identify and know the advantages of laser cutting. This article will help you understand why laser cutting is currently the trendiest system of cutting metal sheets and products. The followings are the six advantages of laser cutting that the industry benefits from them.
High Accuracy and Precise Cuts is the First of the Advantages of Laser Cutting
The first benefit of all the advantages of laser cutting is the high accuracy and precision. This metal cutting system utilizes a laser beam with a small diameter that delivers a focused and high-temperature point to the sheet metal under the cutting procedure. The powerful laser beam evaporates and melts the working piece with a significant accuracy with a typical tolerance of 0.003 mm to 0.006 mm. In contrast with the metal laser cutting method, a plasma fabricator generally has a tolerance between 0.02 mm to 0.05 mm. Other die-cutting devices or tools feature tolerances as high as 1 to 3 mm or even more. When there is a demand for absolute accuracy, laser cutters are always the best choice. This is why most manufacturers use this technique to fabricate modern cladding materials such as ACM panels, as they require straight and clean edges.
Low Time Consumption with no Need for Tool Replacement or Modification
One of the advantages of laser cutting is that it is economically efficient to use the method for projects which require limited-run. This benefit of the laser cutter is that it doesn’t utilize tools or equipment that must be custom-built or modified for a specific project. Additionally, it doesn’t involve physical cutting surfaces, which tend to wear out during other cutting processes in the industry. For creating a product or a piece with a laser cutting method, the suitable Material to cut, a laser cutter, and a scheme that should be loaded into a computer are needed. Thus, it can reduce the overall cost even for small projects compared to traditional cutting tools and manufacturing procedures. Additionally, laser cutting tools consist of fewer moving mechanical parts resulting in maintenance and operation cost reduction and helps companies save more money for their projects.
Versatility for Complex Works
Versatility is one of the advantages of laser cutting, making it popular for modern industrial projects. No work is too complex for a laser cutter as the high-power beam can be utilized to work on extreme narrow sections of the products and cause almost no warping or distortion to the cutting area. With the appropriate scheme and machine, manufacturers can easily and quickly create the most complex geometries with excellent tolerance levels.
Less Waste and Optimal Usage of Sheet Metal Utilization
The high precision and accuracy of laser cutting bring other benefits. Laser cutting can be used on almost every type of sheet metal. With proper nesting of cuts, a laser cutting machine can maximize the number of usable pieces and parts from any given material, whether pure aluminum, steel, copper, etc. This also leads to lower costs for various projects and a faster-fabricating process. Additionally, less time is required for swapping in new workpieces, and the cutting process wastes a minor of raw sheet metal.
No Damage or Warping is the Other Advantage of Laser Cutting
There is a common misconception about the laser cutting method that is people think the high heat laser beam causes a lot of warping and distortion. However, it is not valid, and the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of the laser cutting method is minimal, and it does not cause issues with the tolerance of the workpiece. Due to these advantages of laser cutting, this method is ideal for fabricating extremely thin products, whether they are aluminum plate systems or other industrial materials. The process works at a high pace and cuts through the material so quickly that it cannot harm or cause damage to the sheet metal. Moreover, the HAZ is so tiny that it is very straightforward to machine it away if necessary.
Energy Efficient (Low Power Consumption)
The last benefit among the six advantages of a laser cutting system is that it’s very energy efficient. The laser used for cutting the sheet metal consumes considerable power. Still, the machine does not have any other moving components, unlike other fabricating tools such as presses that require enormous energy for delivering the cutting force using a physical die on the workpiece. This is beneficial for cost reduction and can reduce the impact of laser cutting machines on the environment.