Sheet metal fabrication plays a crucial role in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, electronics, and architecture. Among the many techniques used in sheet metal fabrication, laser cutting has emerged as a precise and efficient method for shaping and forming metal sheets, offering numerous advantages, including environmental sustainability.
How Laser Cutting Works in Sheet Metal Fabrication
The primary objective of laser cutting is to accurately cut the metal sheet into specific shapes or patterns. This process relies on advanced technology and physics to achieve results. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how laser cutting works in sheet metal fabrication:
- Laser Source: The process begins with a high-powered laser source. This source can be carbon dioxide or a fiber laser. The choice of laser source depends on the type of material. CO2 lasers are typically better suited for non-metallic materials, while fiber lasers excel in cutting metals.
- Focusing Optics: The laser beam is directed through a series of focusing optics, including lenses and mirrors. These optics concentrate the laser beam into a tight, precise point, ensuring maximum energy density.
- Material Placement: The sheet metal is positioned on a worktable. This table can be stationary or equipped with CNC systems for automated movements. The CNC system guides the laser’s direction according to the design specifications.
- Laser Cutting Process: When the laser beam is focused and directed to the metal sheet, it heats the material rapidly and causes it to melt or vaporize. The high-energy laser beam essentially “burns” through the metal along the predetermined cutting path, resulting in a clean and accurate cut.
- Gas Assist: In many cases, a gas, such as oxygen or nitrogen, is used to assist in the cutting process. The choice of gas depends on the type of metal. The gas helps to blow away molten metal and debris, leaving a clean edge.
- Cooling and Solidification: As the laser beam moves along the cutting path, the material quickly cools and solidifies, leaving behind a precisely cut piece of sheet metal.
- Quality Control: Quality control measures ensure the cut meets the specified dimensions and tolerances. Laser cutting is highly accurate and produces minimal heat-affected zones, making it an ideal choice for intricate or complex designs.
- Automation and Repetition: Laser cutting machines can be programmed for high levels of automation and repetition. Automation allows for efficient mass production and consistent results.
Integrated Manufacturing Solutions (IMS) expert team of laser cutting professionals has been serving Minnesota and the Twin Cities for 18 years. We know Midwest producers, and they know us.
Laser Cutting Methods
Among the various laser cutting systems available, the three most used are CO2, solid-state, and fiber lasers.
CO2 lasers are one of the earliest laser-cutting technologies. They use a high-voltage electric discharge to excite a mixture of gasses in a sealed tube, which produces a laser beam. This type of laser is particularly well-suited for cutting non-metallic materials, such as wood, acrylic, plastic, and rubber.
While C02 lasers are versatile and offer precision, they require significant electricity and rely on assist gasses. The result can be increased emissions and energy consumption.
Solid-state lasers utilize solid crystal or glass rods as the active medium for generating laser beams. Common types include Nd: YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) and Nd: YVO4 (neodymium-doped yttrium orthovanadate) lasers. These lasers are more versatile than CO2 lasers and capable of cutting both metal and non-metal materials thanks to their shorter wavelength.
Solid-state lasers are well-suited for high-precision applications and efficient metal cutting. However, their reliance on crystal or glass rods can leave a negative environmental impact, as these substances do not readily decompose.
Fiber lasers are a newer technology, that uses optical fibers to deliver the laser beam. They have gained popularity in manufacturing due to their high energy efficiency, low maintenance requirements, and excellent cutting capabilities for both metal and non-metal materials. Fiber lasers are the choice for energy efficiency, low maintenance, and rapid metal cutting.
Fiber lasers require less power and less assist gas, resulting in lower energy consumption and reduced emissions and waste products.
Integrated Manufacturing Solutions (IMS) has the expertise and knowledge to deliver high-quality parts and products while reducing the environmental impact of our laser-cutting process.
Role of Laser Cutting in Environmental Sustainability
Laser cutting is an environmentally friendly manufacturing process, with reduced waste and energy consumption compared to traditional cutting methods. Due to the following:
Reduced Material Waste
Traditional cutting methods like shearing and punching can result in a significant amount of scrap material. Laser cutting is exact, resulting in minimal waste.
Energy Efficiency
Laser cutting is a highly energy-efficient process. The energy required to power a laser cutting machine is significantly lower than that needed for traditional mechanical cutting methods.
Reduced Emissions
Traditional methods of cutting often produce harmful fumes and particles. Laser cutting is a clean process and does use cutting fluids or other chemicals.
Minimal Post-Processing
Laser cutting provides exceptional accuracy, allowing for intricate and complex designs. Laser cutting produces clean, burr-free edges, reducing the need for secondary finishing processes.
If you are searching for laser cutting services near me in Minnesota, Integrated Manufacturing Solutions (IMS) state-of-the-art laser cutting services can cut nearly any type of metal.
IMS Can Laser Cut Nearly All Types of Metal
Integrated Manufacturing Solutions (IMS) uses two high-powered CNC fiber lasers with cut speeds exceeding 2000 inches per minute. IMS’ laser cutting system can automatically load and unload from an adjoining tower. We specialize in laser cutting metal, including the following:
- Aluminum up to 3/8”
- Aluminized Steel
- Galvanized Steel
- Stainless Steel up to 5/8”
- Steel Plate up to 1”
Our advanced nesting software lets us laser-cut dissimilar parts on the same metal sheet, thus minimizing costs and reducing waste.
IMS laser cutting service is precise, reliable, and provides quick turnaround. Custom laser cutting allows for creating one-off designs without incurring high setup costs.
IMS Provides All-In-One Metal Fabrication Solutions
Integrated Manufacturing Solutions (IMS) is a leading Midwest precision sheet metal fabrication business that helps companies of all sizes improve overall costs by providing innovative solutions and flexibility that match their business needs. Our skilled team of engineers offers all-in-one solutions for those needing complete Metal Fabrication services, including:
OEMs partner with IMS for five reasons
- Added value. IMS’ design and metal fabrication solutions involve the innovative use of materials and methods to provide higher quality at a lower cost. The result is a higher-quality product that meets customers’ needs and offers more value than expected.
- Capability to handle large and small projects.
- One-on-one customer service. IMS combines cutting-edge technology and services with one-on-one attention to deliver high-quality services and a finished product that exceeds your expectations.
- Saving time and money. Many of our solutions, such as laser cutting, can increase production efficiency by eliminating the need for several time-consuming and costly fabrication procedures.
- Quick turnaround and consistent on-time results.
At Integrated Manufacturing Solutions, we go above and beyond to provide you with what you want when you want it. We proudly serve the Twin Cities and surrounding Minnesota areas.
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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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