Benefits of Laser Cutting for your Sheet Metal Fabrication Projects

There are many different methods for cutting metals. When it comes to cutting large flat sheets, laser cutting is versatile tool for cutting holes, slots, and tabs in one interrupted cutting process. In this article we will give you a brief overview as to the reasons laser cutting has become the most popular method for sheet metal cutting projects.

Machine Cutting Speed and Efficiency

When considering your fabrication or manufacturing project costs it is important to understand the different components that go into each operation. These costs consist of labor, operation, and machine costs. The ability for a laser operator to nest parts with different cut types and shapes, creates an automated process that significantly reduces labor cost when compared to other methods. This benefit is compounded when large order quantities are run. Unlike other machining methods there is no need to change tools mid process allowing an operator to set-up for a job and run sheet after sheet uninterrupted. In short, the larger your order size, the more cost-effective the process becomes, and the better savings that are passed on to the customer.

Part Quality and Machine Precision

The other main benefit of laser cutting is the tight tolerances they can achieve. Additionally, when cutting with a laser the material is melted rather than cut. Laser cut edges and curves are smooth and clean and generally require very little deburring, if any, compared to other methods.

Competitive Pricing

As outlined above, the versatility, speed, and quality of laser cutting make it an ideal solution for any size project. The laser cutter’s ability to cut both small intricate parts and large quantities of less complex parts at a competitive price, mean the same laser cutter can be employed for different types of parts. The main tradeoff to consider when employing laser cutting technology is the cost of part quality. When small intricate cuts are made, the laser must be slowed down. This creates a higher run time per part, and in turn a higher cost of that part. In contrast, if less accuracy is needed, the machine can be sped up to cut more parts per cycle, reducing the cost of the part. It is important to know the actual tolerance you require as over tolerancing a part can cost you thousands of dollars a year for something you may not actually value.

So why don’t more machine shops have a laser cutter? Laser cutting equipment, like other CNC equipment, can run several hundreds of thousands of dollars making it a hefty investment for companies where sheet metal cutting is only a small part of their product or portfolio of products. Secondly, it is often the case that the the sheet metal cut on the laser will then go to other operations like bending, forming, or welding, that are not as common in traditional machine shops. Laser cutting machines also have a large footprint, and require a large amount of space to get material safely loaded and unloaded. This means companies need to designate a lot of square footage that they may have a better return on investment with if they were to stick to their core machining business.

The good news, is Peak Fabrications, located in Ontario, NY, is fully equipped with laser cutting, welding, forming, machining, engineering, and other services to help you with your sheet metal fabrication projects. Click Here and let us know how we can help you with your next project.