Imagine what you could accomplish if you had access to custom laser cutting to fabricate your products, your artistic endeavors, and any new ventures you’d like to pursue. Relying on custom laser cutting services has become the norm for businesses across all industries. That is because it’s a reliable and budget-friendly way to elevate any manufacturing project or mass-production needs.
With an established and client-focused metal cutting service provider, you can launch new products with the most intricate designs and specifications imaginable, limiting every new visionary idea to your imagination.
So, if you want to take your business to a new level of success and initiative, read on to uncover how custom laser cutting can help you revolutionize your operations.
What is Custom Laser Cutting?
In its simplest terms, custom laser cutting is the process of creating multiple parts or products from sheet metal or other materials from an original and detailed design. Using the precision and power of a laser beam, intricate cuts, marks, and engravings are created with little to no waste and no deviation from the original specifications.
Advantages of Laser Cutting Over Traditional Methods
There are many advantages to using custom laser cutting over more traditional cutting methods. In addition, virtually all these benefits are linked to the advanced technology that powers the process.
Top custom laser cutting service providers like Steelway Laser Cutting rely on computer aided design (CAD) software to spell out the instructions for the design that needs to be created, as well as computer numerical control (CNC) metal cutting to guide the laser beam once the cutting and/or fabrication process begins.
These factors alone mean that the cutting process is more precise and much faster than other cutting methods. Thanks to the technology guiding the way, multiple parts and products can be effortlessly created in one production run with no human errors.
The Custom Laser Cutting Process
The laser cutting process can vary greatly depending on various factors. Such as the design, the raw materials, and the laser cutting machines that are being used.
However, generally, the procedure is as follows:
- A design is created with all specifications for the project. This can be provided by the client or created by the custom laser cutting services provider with the client’s input and approval. Often, a test run will be initiated to ensure the end product matches expectations
- The design specifications are fed to the CNC laser cutting machine, while the sheet metal or raw material is stabilized for the ensuing cutting process.
- Using the design specifications and computer numerical control, the head of the laser beam is directed onto the workpiece, and the cutting process ensues. The heat of the laser beam is so intense that the material vaporizes. It doesn’t leave behind any waste. However, it sometimes does, depending on the laser cutter and the properties of the raw material, an air assist gas is used to blog away any molten material.
- The process repeats again and again, as many times as needed, for the entire production run. While no human involvement is necessary to guide or direct the laser beam, highly trained technicians are on hand to ensure the process runs smoothly from start to finish
- The cut parts or products are complete or can undergo a finishing process if desired, such as adding a powder coating to make products more colorful and durable.
Custom Laser Cutting Services for Fabricating Various Materials
Furthermore, the materials that can be fabricated with the assistance of custom laser cutting services are varied. Depending on the technology and expertise of the laser cutting service provider, the list is nevertheless long.
Examples of materials that can work with custom laser cutting include the following.
- Metals of all kinds, including thicker and tougher metals like copper and brass, as well as more delicate or highly reflective metals like aluminum
- Wood
- Plastics and acrylics
- Glass
- Leather
- Foam
- PVC
- Rubber, cork, and other distinctive materials
Arguably, custom laser cutting services are most used by manufacturers who require metal parts and products. This is why you’ll find custom laser cutting a prominent service in the construction industry, automobile manufacturing industry, appliance and houseware industry, and electronics industry.
However, virtually any new artistic or creative venture can benefit from custom laser cutting services, regardless of the intricacy of the design.
A consultation with an expert like Steelway Laser Cutting is the first step to understanding any limitations or lack thereof.
Benefits of Custom Laser Cutting Services
A handful of the immediate benefits of enlisting custom laser cutting services for your manufacturing needs include the following.
- Precision and accuracy to ensure that every part or product is up to standards and matches the original design
- Scalability from prototyping to full-scale production of 1,000 units or more
- High levels of detail allow for more material usage, enhancing material efficiency and sustainability
- Creativity in design brings even the most intricate designs to life
- Cost savings, as the process is efficient when it comes to waste and the raw material resources required
- Faster production because many parts or products can be created in a concise timeframe, even if shipping is involved
Providing Custom Laser Cutting Services near Philadelphia
Multiple organizations, from small businesses to major manufacturers, are surprised to learn just how cost-effective and efficient custom laser cutting services can be. The process is renowned for being fast and budget friendly. Additionally, there are no unexpected expenses due to human error, mismatched parts or products, or wasted raw materials.
However, one of the best aspects of custom laser cutting services is the freedom it gives businesses that want to expand their ideas and designs.
Many organizations are limited to the types of metal or other material cutting they can conduct in-house. However, when custom laser cutting services are involved, there is virtually no limit on the new designs that can come to fruition.
Reach out to Steelway Laser Cutting today to learn more. Together, we can discuss more about what you can do when you have an expert in custom laser cutting services leading the way. Simply put, enlisting custom laser cutting services for your production operations can help grow and evolve your business, one project at a time.