6 Common Questions About Steel Laser Cutting
Posted on 30 November, 2018 at Laser Cutting
For many who aren’t in the industry, laser cutting is a foreign concept. Quiet and efficient, steel laser cutting is used for everything from the flat sheet components in a range of products and equipment, to decorative screening for residential or commercial buildings. Essentially, if you require clean, precise shapes cut from steel or other flat sheet materials, laser cutting is the ideal solution. However, if you’re wanting to learn more about the process, then this guide has the answers to six common questions people and businesses have about the practice.
- How does it work?
We use a high-power CO2laser beam, which is directed to the cutting head via a series of fixed and moving mirrors. This focuses the beam to a pinpoint, projecting it through a small nozzle, along with a gas jet of air, oxygen or nitrogen. This intense energy vaporises the steel, and a very thin, neat cut is produced.
- How do you make sure the lines are precise?
So that we can perfectly match your design, we use cutting edge technology and state of the art machinery for all our projects. Your designs are programmed into the latest 3D Solidworks software, and our high-speed precision Swiss equipment are regularly serviced to ensure they are in perfect working order.
- What is it used for?
Steel laser cutting is used by a number of industries for a wide range of applications. As we mentioned earlier, attractive decorative screens are popular in retail and hospitality, residential homes and public places. Flat cut steel is also used in everything from the automotive and aerospace industry to the medical sector.
- Do you cut any other materials?
With over 20 years’ experience, we’ve cut (or attempted to cut) just about everything. Metals are obviously one of the most popular things to cut, and the majority of plastics result in a clean, bur free edge. Timber, too, is well suited to cutting, but can exhibit a darkened or blackened edge, depending on the timber. Feel free to get in touch if there is a specific material you’re hoping to work with.
- Will it damage my material?
The short answer: No! It’s a non-contact process which only targets a very specific part of the sheet and heat damage to the surrounding area is minimal. However, our experience has shown us that certain materials, such as PVC, glass and fabrics simply don’t work – and can be damaged in the process.
- How long will it take?
This is a tricky question, as it depends on the project in question, our workload and material availability. However, we always endeavour to get your product back to you within one week of the order.
Hopefully this guide has answered any questions you may have, but we know it can be hard to understand the steel laser cutting process – especially if you’ve never used it yourself. If you have more queries, or you’re thinking about taking the next step yourself, please get in touch with our expert team at Arrow Laser – we’re always happy to help.