Laser Cutting Services for the Twin Cities Area
IMS has experience in laser cutting for pretty much every application you can imagine, including:
- Industrial furniture
- Fixtures
- Displays
- Medical trays
- Tanks
- Point-of-sale brackets
- Air filtration housings
- Electronic enclosures
- Railings
- Enclosures
- Brackets
- Automotive aftermarket suspension components
- Electrical panels
- Guard rails
- Safety guarding
- Solar panel brackets
What is Laser Cutting?
Metal laser cutting involves the use of a high-powered laser beam to cut through various types of metal sheets or plates.
How Does Laser Cutting Work?
The process begins with the generation of a high-intensity laser beam. This laser beam is typically produced by exciting a gain medium, such as a CO2 or fiber-optic laser, using electrical discharge or diode pumping.
The laser beam is then directed through a series of mirrors and lenses to concentrate its energy into a small, intense point. This focused beam becomes the cutting tool.
When the laser beam contacts the material’s surface, it heats the material to its vaporization or melting point, depending on the specific application and material type.
The movement of the laser beam or the material (or both) is carefully controlled by computer numerical control (CNC) systems to follow the desired cutting path.
The result is a clean and precise cut through the material, with minimal heat-affected zones or distortion. The fine control afforded by laser cutting allows for intricate and complex designs to be cut with ease.
Industries that Use Laser Cutting
Laser cutting has become a fundamental technology in various industries, owing to its ability to cut a wide range of materials and its precision. Some of the key industries that rely on laser cutting include:
Manufacturing: Laser cutting is used in manufacturing for the precise shaping and cutting of materials like metals, plastics, and composites. It is particularly valuable in the production of automotive parts, electronics, and consumer goods.
Aerospace: Laser cutting is indispensable in the aerospace industry for fabricating intricate components such as aircraft panels, brackets, and engine parts. Its ability to cut lightweight but strong materials like aluminum and titanium makes it indispensable.
Medical: Laser cutting is vital in the production of medical devices and instruments. It allows for the creation of custom-made parts with exceptional precision, often for applications such as implants, surgical instruments, and diagnostic equipment.
Textiles and Apparel: The fashion industry uses laser cutting for precise and intricate fabric cutting. This technology enables designers to create unique patterns and reduce waste by minimizing fabric remnants.
Architecture and Construction: In the field of architectural models and construction, laser cutting is used to produce detailed scale models and precise components, like metal facades and ornamental elements.
Benefits of Laser Cutting
The adoption of laser-cutting technology has brought about numerous benefits across various industries:
- Precision: Laser-cutting offers unrivaled precision, making it suitable for cutting intricate and complex designs with minimal wastage.
- Speed: The process is incredibly fast, making it ideal for high-volume production.
- Versatility: Laser cutting can be applied to a wide range of materials, including metals, plastics, ceramics, and organic materials, making it highly versatile.
- Minimal Material Waste: The precise cutting minimizes material waste, reducing overall production costs and environmental impact.
- No Tool Wear: Unlike traditional cutting methods, laser cutting does not involve physical tools that wear down over time, reducing maintenance costs.
- Automation: Laser cutting can be easily integrated into automated production lines, further increasing efficiency, and reducing labor costs.
Minneapolis, Experience the IMS Difference
When you are searching for laser cutting services near me in the Twin Cities, look no further than Integrated Manufacturing Solutions (IMS). IMS can laser cut nearly all metal types, including many varieties of aluminum, cold and hot rolled steel sheets, stainless steel, coated metals (galvanized, aluminized, and pre-painted), copper, brass, and even titanium.
Adding Value to IMS’s Laser Cutting Services
State-of-the-Art CNC Technology
Our Computer Numeric Control (CNC) laser cutting metal system can load and unload material from an adjoining tower automatically. This capability allows IMS to conduct efficient, operator-free, laser cutting of materials 24/ reliably, precisely, with a quick turnaround.
We Can Cut a Wide Range of Materials
Taking pride in its next-generation technology, IMS features two brand-new CNC solid-state lasers that will cut 24 gauge to 1-inch plate, with cut speeds exceeding 2000 inches per minute.
Cost Efficiency
IMS advanced nesting software allows us to laser cut dissimilar parts on the same metal sheet, thus minimizing costs, and reducing waste.
Precision Cutting
Our lasers cut very cleanly and usually require no deburring. We offer tumbling if an extra softened edge is required, as well as surface sanding and straight lining for a precision finished product.
It’s safe to say that our laser cutting technology is second to none in the Twin Cities, MN area. Our engineering and fabricating teams at IMS are skilled in handling all aspects of the sheet metal fabrication process, including the following:
From concept to completed product, IMS can handle all your laser cutting and metal fabrication needs.
Ready for a Free Quote?
We proudly serve the Twin Cities and surrounding areas. It only takes a minute! Select the service you’d like, upload your designs, and a member of our team will respond with a free quote as soon as possible. If you don’t have design mockups, or need some help figuring out a design, we’d love to help! Simply give us a call and a member of our team would be happy to answer any questions you have.
Lead Time
3 days
Parts Completed
22,000
Manufacturing Footprint
60,000 sq ft.
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