What Is Sheet Metal CNC Laser Cutting Machine?

WHAT IS CNC LASER CUTTING?

Sheet metal work with a CNC laser cutting machine

Computer numerically controlled (CNC) laser cutting is a sheet metal manufacturing process carried out by CNC laser cutters. The primary form of laser cutting for sheet metal is ‘vaporisation cutting’, in which the laser beam melts the material and a high pressure gas removes the molten material. 

The processing range for most CNC laser cutters is from 0.3mm up to 25mm for the higher powered models. The laser cutter can cut a variety of materials including mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, galvanised steel, copper, brass and more. CNC laser cutting use various gasses to aid the cutting process, which can include compressed air, nitrogen and oxygen.

While laser cutters are capable of creating more intricate shapes, they are limited in the way they can form the material. If you have a sheet metal design which needs material to be being formed then a CNC punch press is more suitable.

Laser cutters are generally faster than CNC punch presses when it comes to thinner gauge materials and that have fewer individual holes. This is due to the initial piercing of the material that slows the laser cutter down. This is also true for thicker gauges as more heat is required to melt through the material.

▼Advantages of CNC laser cutting:

Quicker on thinner gauges (approx. up to 1.2mm) than punch presses, provided few lead-ins.

Easier to program.

It doesn't rely on having a wide range of tooling, which may not allow for certain sized cut-outs.

A cleaner cut through most* materials, without nibbles marks.

In conclusion

We use our CNC laser cutting machine in combination to enable us to offer the best process to suit the components being manufactured. Hopefully then the price and quality will be right for each customer’s parts and volumes required.

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