Manufacturing businesses of all sizes need cuts, engravings, and other fabrications that shape their products to be perfect. A part or product with rough, burnt, or jagged edges can be disastrous. Such a disaster can increase costs, waste time and materials, and reduce efficiency as manufacturers delay getting products to market.
Unfortunately, imperfect edges are common in traditional cutting and even laser cutting techniques. Therefore, a small mistake on a massive production run of multiple units can halt a manufacturer’s operation and productivity.
The best way to avoid costly mistakes regarding rough, skewed, or burnt edges is to partner with a laser cutting services provider that depends on the most cutting-edge laser technologies available and has the highest levels of expertise and reliability.
When it comes to laser cutting services (Philadelphia area and miles beyond), Steelway Laser Cutting is the undisputed leader in customer satisfaction, and completes every laser cutting project to the highest standards.
Keeping that in mind, achieving flawless laser cuts requires careful attention to a few key factors. By preventing burns, rough edges, and imperfections, you can protect your products and reputation.
How Laser Technology Affects Edge Quality
Your laser cutting machine has a direct impact on edge quality, as the laser cutter’s speed, power, and capabilities all directly affect the success of resulting cuts.
Highly advanced laser cutting machines, like top-of-the-line CO2 and fiber lasers, inherently have fewer to no issues with burnt or damaged edges. That is because they operate at a high rate of speed, with an exceptional amount of power, and have inherent controls for pressure and focus position.
Most notably, advanced laser cutters rely on computer numerical control (CNC), which is designed to precisely follow the cutting instructions painstakingly created by computer-aided design (CAD) software.
CNC laser cutters do not require human intervention when it comes to the elements that affect the quality of a laser cut – like speed, position, and intensity of the laser beam – which means there are fewer mistakes due to human miscalculation.
The only drawback is that laser cutters that reduce and eliminate damaged edges are expensive to purchase and maintain.
It is often a catch-22 for small businesses because the less expensive the laser cutting machine the more likely there will be issues with the cutting and fabrication process. In fact, most small and medium-sized businesses simply can’t afford the facilities, technicians, and laser cutting machines required for a consistently error-free process.
However, the solution to this problem is simple. Outsourcing your laser cutting (Philadelphia area and beyond) is a budget-friendly way to ensure that every production of parts and products runs smoothly from start to finish.
How to Prepare Materials to Prevent Burnt Edges
When it comes to laser cutting, there are also a few steps before the fabrication process begins that will help ensure better results.
- Be thoughtful about your material selection. Thicker materials can be susceptible to imperfections when it comes to laser-cut edges
- Ensure your material is clean and stored in a debris-free area before fabrication. Dust, moisture, and debris can cause issues with the cutting.
- Check and test your laser cutter settings. Adjust speed and power according to the material being cut. For example, thicker materials will likely require more power for error-free fabrication.
- Make sure your material is secure during the cutting process. Material that moves around will lead to multiple issues.
How to Ensure Quality Edges During the Cutting Process
- Do a few test cuts first to ensure the power, speed, and other settings are producing the desired results.
- Use an assist gas to blow away any smoke and debris, which keeps the cutting surface cool and prevents heat build-up and burnt edges.
- Consider using protective films on sensitive materials to prevent burnt edges and other imperfections.
- Rely on cutting-edge laser technologies, like computer numerical control, working with C02 or fiber laser cutting machines for the best results from start to finish, regardless of how many units need to be cut or otherwise fabricated.
How to Mitigate Issues with Edge Quality After the Cutting Process
Some post-production steps may help alleviate issues with edge quality after the cutting process is complete. These options include the following:
- Deburring – You can use mechanical or chemical deburring methods or solutions to reduce rough edges and burrs after the cutting process.
- Sanding – Some materials like wood and certain types of metals can also be sanded after the cutting process to smooth rough edges and/or reduce the appearance of burnt edges.
- Cleaners – Try denatured alcohol, pumice soap, or a damp magic eraser to mitigate burn marks or burnt edges, depending on the material you are working with.
- Chemical solutions – Some chemical cleaning solutions can also be used to remove or reduce burn marks for burnt edges on metal. However, check the compatibility with your raw metal material first.
- Powder coating – Powder coating can also be applied to laser cut parts and products to create a durable and potentially colorful protective layer over the metal material and hide any imperfections in the metal itself.
Achieve Superior Precision with High-Quality Laser Cut Edges with Steelway Laser Cutting
When using subpar laser cutting machines or when experimenting with laser cutters without an extensive background of knowledge, mistakes are likely to occur. Burnt edges, rough edges, or miscalculations are all common occurrences. However, there are techniques you can employ before, during, and after the fabrication process to reduce any errors.
Access to the most advanced technology and expertise is the only way to eliminate issues with laser cut edge quality altogether.
This is where Steelway Laser Cutting can provide the best solution for manufacturing companies that need exceptional results within their budget.
Reach out to our team of laser cutting experts today.
Let’s work together to find a better solution for ensuring quality parts and products for every laser cutting project.
Send us the details of your next project for a detailed quote.