Explore the differences in laser cutting and other kinds of cutting. It provides detail on how cuts with narrow kerf widths can be made to great precision by laser cutting. Discover the uses where the high precision of laser cutting is essential to the quality of the product.
Achieving an intricate and detailed cut, laser cutting can accomplish tasks with overwhelming precision, often getting within fractions of a millimeter. This is especially valuable for industries like electronics manufacturing that require precision components to be cut with extreme accuracy. Other methods lasercutting out perform include mechanical cutting with saws or punches as they introduce greater errors caused by vibration, tool wear, and other imprecise factors.
Minimal Tolerance Deviation
Laser cutting has very small tolerance deviation from the designed cutting dimensions which makes it different from other cutting methods This is important for mass production where all parts have to be the exact same. Other methods of cutting might lose accuracy in cut dimensions progressively or with different operators, leading to a defective parts percentage increase.
The level of precision offered with laser cutting is far greater than many other methods of cutting. Not only does it achieve micron level accuracy, but it also makes it ideal for use within electronics and jewelry manufacturing industries. For more complex forms or thinner materials, plasma and waterjet cutting would not be the ideal option. As expected, laser cutting improves product quality as well as the offer of rework.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes laser cutting more precise than other cutting methods?
The accuracy of laser cutting is aided by its ability to focus its beam to a microscopic level. Aside from that, the entire procedure is performed by a computer, meaning every cut is guaranteed to be the same. It has a narrow kerf, and therefore does not contribute to dimensional errors. Other methods, such as mechanical cutting, are not steady and precise enough, causing them to operate with a lot of unnecessary movements that affect the precision of the result.
Are there any cutting methods that can match the precision of laser cutting?
Some high-end waterjet cutting machines are able to achieve high precision, but they will likely be slower. Electrical discharge machining (EDM) can also be very precise for certain applications, especially for cutting of hard materials. However, for most purposes and materials, laser cutting provides the best combination of speed and accuracy.
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08
Jan
The Role of Laser Cutting Machines in Modern Manufacturing
Laser cutting has almost unparalleled accuracy in comparison to other methods. It is capable of achieving minute tolerances and produce accurate and clean cuts. Cutting can be done on thinner sheets as well as thicker plates, and with laser cutting, it is more likely to get the desired precision that is difficult to obtain otherwise. This high precision is fundamental when it comes to producing superior quality parts and components which is the focus in the manufacturing process.
The extreme high precision that laser cutters are able to achieve with the use of laser cutting blades is greatly beneficial for certain parts. Suing blades and shearing can get down to 1 to 2 millimeters, which is extremely helpful for certain parts within electronics, aerospace, and even the medical industry, but the amount of precision that laser cutters can achieve is much greater at 0.05-0.1mm. Being able to reach such a level of ability means there can be greater confidence in the products not failing due to deviation.
Minimal Heat - Affected Zone
Laser cutting is known to have a minimal heat-affected zone (HAZ) in comparison with other methods. The surrounding material is less prone to receiving heat as the focused laser beam has energy directly delivered to the cutting area. In contrast, softer materials such as alloys and certain types of plastics are prone to having a large HAZ from other techniques like plasma cutting.
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