Laser cutting and its capabilities
Laser cutting Toronto has the capability to cut up to5/8” thickness of aluminum, up to 1” thickness of carbon and alloy steels and up to ¾”thickness of stainless steel. Laser cutting is also very flexible because it can do both small and longer runs with minimal setup time. Laser technology also delivers a high level of precision on each cut and reduces the need for secondary operations like deburring. Edge quality of laser cutting is far superior compared to other cutting methods. Standard cutting tolerance achieved through laser cutting is +/- .002” which means accurate and precise parts. Since jobs can be programmed, intricate cuts to achieve slots, holes, angles or detailed patterns can be repeated over and over again. There is very little chemical damage on the material because laser technology minimizes heat affected zones.
Laser cutting vs. plasma cutting
Plasma cutters are relatively cheaper than laser cutting Toronto but they are only meant for steel. Laser cutting that makes use of light can be used of a wide range of materials. Laser cutting has higher processing tolerance but plasma has a smaller kerf width. Plasma cutting was developed because there are certain metals that cannot be cut using flame like copper, stainless steel and aluminum. Plasma cutting makes use of gas like nitrogen, argon and hydrogen with air and oxygen so that a high energy arc can be produced to cut through metal. This feat is impossible for other cutting methods aside from laser cutting. A nice finish can also be achieved through plasma cutting because the concentrated gas helps remove the molten metal at the bottom of the cut. The heat that is generated by the plasma cutter vaporizes the material in the kerf.
Laser cutting vs. water jet cutting
If laser cutting in Toronto makes use of a beam of light, water jet cutting as its name implies makes use of a jet of highly pressurized water of up to 750,000 psi. In order to improve its accuracy, the water jet is usually infused with garnet which results in processing tolerance of up to 0.008”. Water jet technology has its advantages because it can cut metal up to 13” thick. No heat is involved during the cutting process that can compromise material strength. However, if compared to laser cutting Toronto, water jet cutting is drastically slower. Between laser cutting and water jet cutting, the choice will depend on the thickness of the material being cut, the degree of tolerance that is required, repeatability and the need for secondary operations.