When choosing the ideal laser cutting or punching service for your application, quality, cutting-edge technology and customer service are top priorities. Often overlooked and underestimated, however, is how much it pays to choose a company that knows your industry and what you want to produce when you turn to a full-service metal fabrication company to produce your application.
DIVIKOM is a full-service metal processing company that builds successful relationships with its customers, due in large part to its many years of experience developing custom applications for numerous industries: aerospace, automotive and transportation, electronics and telecommunications, construction, oil and gas, medical and healthcare, and more. Our state-of-the-art Trumpf lasers and Trumpf punch presses are capable of handling the most demanding production runs and cutting a variety of materials with different thicknesses and dimensions.
What does laser cutting mean?
As the name suggests, the Laser cutting a laser beam is directed through a nozzle onto a specific area of the material to be cut. The focussed jet cuts through a combination of heat and pressure. It essentially melts the material and then ejects it, leaving a small kerf. It can be used in the production of many non-metallic materials such as various polymers, related plastics and rubber. However, its main area of application is cutting metals, many of which are essential to manufacturing processes such as stainless steel, carbon steel, brass, aluminium and copper. In fact, laser cutting offers optimal precision cuts for all ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
Advantages of laser cutting
The Laser cutting offers many unique advantages compared to conventional cutting processes. The process is a subtractive, thermal-based method in which materials are cut by melting, burning or vaporising the workpiece material. It is used in the manufacture of products for numerous industries. The process enables CNC-controlled Laser cutting applications produce highly complex geometries in materials of all thicknesses. Most importantly, it produces a precise, clean and smooth-edged result that is suitable for cutting a wide range of materials. As one of the most popular manufacturing techniques, it can be used for countless applications.
One of the main advantages of the laser cutting is the high accuracy and precisionwhich guarantees clean cuts with tight tolerances and a smooth surface. The Laser focussed on a desired area of the material and cuts, acting on a very small heat-affected zone. The result is an imperceptible deformation or distortion of the microstructures, which often occurs with other cutting processes. The process is very fast and can be repeated with high precision. This precision also reduces the kerf width, allowing for tighter nesting, which in turn utilises the material better and reduces waste and material costs.
Laser cutting versus punching
Punching is another subtractive manufacturing process. Stamping presses are equipped with specially shaped turrets that punch metal with brute force into a die that literally "punches" the material and creates a design. The punched out material can either be used outside, which is called a blank, or the metal plates or panels with intricate designs can be used for applications such as the casing of a laptop or tablet. The punching machines can be smaller mechanical machines or advanced automated systems that utilise CNC technology and offer the flexibility and versatility to produce complex designs.
Both laser cutters and punching presses benefit from CNC (Computer Numerical Control) programmes. CNC technology offers maximum control over the manufacture of products. Once the CNC programme is loaded, the laser cutting system or punch press can perform intricate, exact cuts with precision, accuracy and repeatability at increased speed. Geometric designs that were once considered improbable are now possible with CNC programming.
Choosing the ideal laser cutting service can depend on a number of factors, ranging from better resources and customer experience to higher quality and competitive pricing. These are all important factors in finding the right service for your business. Given the many benefits that laser cutting and punching services offer, choosing a full-service company that is familiar with your industry can ensure that you find the ideal company for your job.
To find out more about the laser cutting services we offer, contact us at Divikom Blechprofis today!
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One Response
I would like to have sheet metal laser cut for a DIY project. So it's good to know that I should go with a company that is familiar with this. I think that will require a lot more research.