Accuracy and Precision in Laser Cutting Services

Global competition has encouraged many fabrication shops to invest in new technology in spite of the big expense. Because of the increasing demand for custom products, fabricators have invested into laser cutting for more accuracy and precision. Laser technology is widely used in custom fabrication of parts and components because it can efficiently achieve the desired results. Industries that do not want to invest in new technology opt to outsource their cutting to laser cutting services in order to cut down on the costs of fabrication.

How does laser cutting work?

In laser cutting, a high powered beam of light is used to cut material. The equipment works through computer controlled technology to ensure accuracy and precision of the cut. Everything in the direct path of the beam of light will be vaporized, burned or melted without any need for further finishing work. The quality of the surface finish is much higher than other technologies like waterjet cutting and plasma cutting. Laser cutting services in Toronto work on different materials like wood, glass, plastics and metals, except those that are highly reflective. Typically, laser cutters are used on materials with thickness that ranges from 0.12 to 0.4 of an inch. A laser cutter can perform other jobs aside from cutting. It can weld, drill, engrave and ablate metal.

Laser cutting technology has two formats: gantry and galvanometer systems. In the gantry system, the laser is positioned perpendicular to the material that is being cut so that the beam can be physically directed to its surface. On the other hand, the galvanometer system makes use of mirrored angles so that the laser can be repositioned to cut as fast as 100 feet per minute. For large scale production with a definite schedule for delivery of completed parts, fabricators make use of the galvanometer system that is faster and more efficient.

Precision is never an issue with laser cutting services in Toronto because the minimum size of the cutting slit reaches 0.006” according to the speed of the laser. However, when cutting thinner pieces of metal, deformation and slight structural changes may occur due to thermal stress. It is therefore important to examine the materials being cut so that laser cutting can produce the best results.

Setting up laser cutting is relatively easy and simple. Newer, high-end laser cutting equipment has the capability to simulate a job and provide the operator with an idea on how long the cutting process will take. All instructions as well as configurations will be stored to be recalled at a certain time in the future to ensure quicker and more efficient changeover times.

However, laser cutting systems are quite expensive and there are only few fabrication shops willing to invest in the technology. For custom fabrication, there is no better option than laser cutting services in Toronto because they make the fabrication of a unique product more efficient and cost effective.