Laser cutting works well on both thin and thick sheet metal, but the result is influenced by several factors. The material, sheet thickness and the design of the component play a major role in determining how stable the cut is and how the component performs later in the production process.
How the material reacts during cutting is influenced, amongst other things, by its thickness, the cutting speed and the settings used in the process.
When laser-cutting thin sheet metal, the process is often quick, but the material also reacts more quickly to heat.
This is particularly noticeable in details featuring small holes, narrow sections or numerous cut-outs, where even minor changes in speed or power can affect how well the detail retains its shape after cutting.
When the settings are correct, the cuts are smooth and the details are easier to work with in the next stage of sheet metal working.
As the sheet metal becomes thicker, the cutting conditions change significantly.
More power is required to machine the material, and the process is generally slower than with thinner sheet metal. At the same time, it is more noticeable in thicker sheet metal if the cut is not stable throughout the entire cut. This can, for example, affect how even the edges turn out or how consistently the component maintains the same quality throughout the material.
Different materials react differently in laser cutting, even at the same thickness.
Steel is often relatively stable to work with, whilst aluminium, for example, conducts heat more quickly. Copper and brass, in turn, place greater demands on the process, as these materials reflect the laser beam more than other metals.
This means that the same settings do not always work equally well across different materials and dimensions.
At Linde Maskiner, our work includes:
It is not just the material and thickness that affect the result. The design of the detail is also of great importance.
Small holes, narrow sections and more complex shapes can place greater demands on the cutting process, particularly when working with thicker materials. In some cases, minor changes to the drawing can make it easier to achieve a consistent result throughout both the cutting and sheet metal working processes.
This often only becomes apparent later on in the production process, when the parts need to be further processed or fitted together with other components.
Laser cutting is often the first step in a larger process within sheet metal working.
If the part is to be bent at a later stage, welded or are assembled, fit and precision are crucial right from the very first stage. A consistent result in the laser cutting process makes it easier to achieve a smooth workflow further down the production line.
How a component performs later in the production process is often influenced by how consistent the result is right from the laser-cutting stage.
The quality of the result in laser cutting is rarely determined by the material alone. Sheet thickness, choice of material and the design of the part often affect the stability of the cut and how the part performs later in production.
When these components work together, it becomes easier to achieve consistent cuts and a reliable result throughout the entire process.
At Linde Maskiner, we carry out laser cutting on a wide range of materials and thicknesses, from thin sheet metal to thicker sections.
Whether it’s small batches or larger volumes, we tailor our production to your drawings and requirements. Would you like to find out more, or do you need help with laser cutting? Get in touch with us today, and we’ll help you with that.
Phone: +46 581 883 00
Email: info@lindemaskiner.se
Invoices: faktura@lindemaskiner.se