There are many different ways to cut, shape, and form metals and other materials. If you’re considering prototype or machine shop services, it’s important to find a facility with the right equipment. The right facility can help you keep costs low and while fabricating a high-quality product. Let’s compare some of the different fabrication cutting services, including laser cutting, water jet cutting, and CNC machining.
Fabrication Cutting Services
Different machines can cut and shape different materials, and create different cuts. Some machines work better for certain materials, and some machines work better for certain shapes or designs. Though there are dozens of different types of metal fabrication and manufacturing machines, we’ll take a closer look at laser cutting, waterjet cutting, and CNC machining in this blog post.
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Laser Cutting
A laser cutter uses a highly focused beam of energy to make cuts in a wide variety of different materials. There are many different types of laser cutting machines, from small, at-home machines for hobby projects and small-scale production, to huge, high-powered machines for fabricating aerospace and mining equipment.
Laser cutting machines are highly versatile. These machines can cut and engrave many different types of metal, plastic, foam, wood, fabric, and more. With tight tolerances and precise operation, the right laser cutter can make detailed engravings as well as broad cuts. Laser cutting is also economical. The process is relatively safe and simple, and the machines are relatively easy to operate. Laser cutting machines are often aided by computer programs for exceptional precision.
Though this fabrication cutting service is highly versatile, it does have some limitations. Laser cutting generally doesn’t work well when it comes to completely cutting very thick materials. A CO2 laser cutter can also encounter problems with reflective services, like brass, copper, and polished steel. However, a fiber laser cutter can generally work with these materials more easily.
Waterjet Cutting
Waterjet cutting uses a highly concentrated stream of water and abrasive materials to cut through metals, plastics, and even stone. Though it doesn’t seem like water would be able to cut through stone or metal, a waterjet cutting machine creates a very unique, super-pressurized stream of water and abrasive substances. This creates such intense friction and force that the machine can cut thick, tough materials.
Like a laser cutting machine, a waterjet cutting machine is also capable of performing highly accurate, highly-focused cuts. Though a laser cutting is a bit more accurate, a waterjet cutting machine is better suited for thicker, tougher materials that a laser cutter can’t cut through. Like a laser cutter, a waterjet cutter can also work with computer programs to ensure a highly-accurate performance.
CNC Machining
There are many different types of CNC machines. CNC stands for computer numerical control, which means the machines are controlled by a computer system. This name can be a bit confusing, since the previously mentioned fabrication machines can also be aided by computer controls as well. However, CNC machines usually refer to particular systems, like CNC lathes or CNC milling machines, which can make holes, pockets, planes, grooves, and edges in metals, plastics, wood, and other types of materials. These are often used for cutting and shaping conical or cylindrical surfaces, like screws, shafts, or knobs.
CNC machines can create numerous products with a high level of accuracy in a short time frame. These machines are very economical, and are ideal for creating prototype components or first runs.
Whether you are working on a prototype, looking for manufacturing services for a particular machine, or you want to produce the first run of your products, it’s essential to find a facility with the right machinery. APEC is equipped with all of these fabrication machines and many more. To learn more, download our Fabrication Guide or get in touch with us today.
