How many times were you faced with the challenge of laser cutting metal without knowing the basics? Attempting to cut a metal on your own is a brave thing to do, but do you know the basics about laser cutting metal? If no, attempting to DIY is not your best solution. Understanding the metal properties, knowing the capabilities of a machine and performing a professional laser cutting metal services will be successfully performed by a skilled individual. Choose the right laser cutting metal shop and have your metal professionally cut and shaped.
If you are new to laser cutting this ultimate guide will help you understand everything you
need to know about laser cutting.
When it comes to the thickness, look for a retailer that will be able to cut up to 25mm mild and stainless steel and 15mm aluminum. However, the cut quality of the machine can decrease if the material is thick. More complex shapes and patterns are difficult to perform in 20 and 25mm as the heat build-up in the steel makes cutting more difficult. This is maybe the one and only downside of laser cutting.
Stainless steel always has a cleaner cut edge with no burrs at all. However, if what you need is laser cutting of thicker aluminum, the chosen company must be able to arrange de-burring if required. Aluminum and stainless steel can be both cut with Nitrogen (N2), leaving a cleaner edge that can be
painted on without any further procedures while mild steel up to 12mm thickness can be cut with either Oxygen or Nitrogen. Keep in mind that Oxygen cutting requires less gas pressure, co it is cheaper than cutting with Nitrogen.
When cutting holes, especially in laser cutting steel, the hole diameter shouldn't be less than the thickness of the material. For instance, a hole less than 20mm diameter in 20mm thick material will be difficult to cut.
Look for a shop that will be able to accept different types of files. If you want to avoid misunderstandings related to the file type, always consult with the a team of the chosen shop, or check online on their website.
These are the most important things you need to know before using the laser cutting services of a particular company. First and foremost, before making any final decision, identify shops that specialize in laser cutting metal. Contact them and ask questions about your particular job and few basic ones regarding the procedure. If they can give you all required information, then you are at the right place.
