Sheet metal cutting is a critical step in the manufacturing process, and different cutting methods are suitable for different materials and application scenarios. In this article, we will introduce the three main sheet metal cutting technologies: laser cutting, waterjet cutting and plasma cutting, and discuss their advantages, disadvantages and scope of application.
Laser cutting
Laser cutting uses a high power density laser beam to irradiate the workpiece, causing the material to be cut to melt, vaporise or ablate rapidly, and blowing away the melted material with the help of high-pressure gas, so as to achieve the purpose of cutting.
Advantages
- High precision: laser cutting has extremely high cutting precision and detailed edge quality, suitable for precision processing.
- Fast speed: for cutting thin plates, laser cutting is very fast and highly productive. Good flexibility: it can cut complex contours and patterns, and is suitable for workpieces of various shapes.
- High material adaptability: it can cut a variety of materials, including metal, plastic, wood, ceramics, etc.
Disadvantages
- High cost: high equipment and maintenance costs, large initial investment.
- Limited capacity for thick plates: cutting efficiency and quality will be reduced for metal plates with a thickness of more than 20mm.
- Heat-affected zone: the cutting process creates a heat-affected zone, which may lead to deformation or hardening of the material.
Application
- Materials: stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminium alloy, titanium alloy, plastic, wood, etc.
- Applications: precision parts processing, electronic equipment shell manufacturing, billboard production, metal furniture manufacturing, etc.
Waterjet Cutting
Waterjet cutting uses a high-pressure stream of water, which is sprayed through a tiny nozzle at a very high speed, to cut the material. Sometimes abrasives are added (waterjet cutting) to enhance the cutting ability.
Advantages
- No thermal effects: No heat is generated during the cutting process, so it does not cause deformation or hardening of the material.
- High precision: High cutting precision allows cutting of complex shapes. Wide material adaptability: almost any material can be cut, including metal, glass, ceramics, stone, composite materials, etc.
- Environmental protection: it does not produce harmful gases and fumes, and meets the requirements of environmental protection.
Disadvantages
- Slower speed: compared with laser cutting and plasma cutting, waterjet cutting speed is slower.
- High cost: high cost of equipment, especially waterjet cutting requires a lot of abrasives. Post-treatment requirements: The surface may require additional treatment after cutting to achieve the required finish.
Application
- Materials: metal, glass, ceramics, stone, composites, etc.
- Applications: aerospace parts processing, stone processing, glass cutting, precision instrument manufacturing, etc.
Plasma cutting
Plasma cutting achieves the purpose of cutting by ionising the gas (e.g. compressed air) into plasma at high temperature and using the high temperature of the plasma arc to melt and blow away the material at high speed.
Advantages
- Fast speed: very fast cutting speed for thick plates, suitable for mass production.
- High capacity for thick plates: can effectively cut thicker metal plates (over 50mm).
- Low cost: relatively low equipment and running costs, easy to operate.
Disadvantages
- Lower precision: cutting precision and edge quality are slightly worse than laser cutting and waterjet cutting.
- Heat-affected zone: the cutting process creates a large heat-affected zone, which may lead to material deformation.
- Limited material adaptability: mainly applicable to conductive metal materials, unable to cut non-metallic materials.
Application
- Materials: Carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper and other conductive metals.
- Applications: heavy machinery manufacturing, steel structure engineering, shipbuilding, automotive manufacturing, etc.
Summary
Choosing the right sheet metal cutting technology needs to be weighed against the specific application requirements and material properties:
- Laser cutting is suitable for applications requiring high precision and detailed edge quality for thinner metallic and non-metallic materials.
- Waterjet cutting is suitable for a wide range of materials, especially those that are heat-sensitive and prone to deformation, and for processing needs that require high precision and no thermal effects.
- Plasma cutting is suitable for cutting thick metal sheets and applications requiring high productivity, and is suitable for conductive metallic materials.
By choosing the right cutting technology, it is possible to increase productivity, reduce costs and ensure that the quality of the product meets the design requirements.
