Archive: Apr 2024

6 Industries That Use Laser Cutting

Due to its precision, efficiency, and versatility, laser cutting is a widely used fabrication technique. 5-axis laser cutting, in particular, is capable of creating highly complex designs, with no finishing required. Since it is compatible with many types of metal and can adhere to tight tolerance requirements, it’s a popular choice throughout many industries. 

At Metal Craft Spinning and Stamping, our laser cutting services meet the needs of highly diverse applications. Below, you can learn about the top six industries that rely on this subtractive manufacturing technique to craft precise, intricate, and cost-effective components. 

Furniture 

The furniture industry relies on laser cutting to create durable yet attractive products. Many furniture items are crafted from metal, particularly those designed for outdoor use. Mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum are just a few common materials used in furniture making, and they are all suitable for laser cutting processes.

When fabricating metal furniture, high-precision lasers not only cut the product’s legs and surfaces but also add intricate designs for visual appeal. Virtually any decorative pattern or image created in a CAD file can be accurately recreated in metal. Some of the most common laser-cut metal furniture items include:

• Bistro tables
• Picnic tables
• Patio end tables
• Benches
• Bar stools
• Chairs

In addition to these items, many metal outdoor patio items are laser cut, such as decorative fire pits, gardening planter boxes, fencing, and privacy screens. 

HVAC

Laser cutting’s unparalleled precision is vital for creating the intricate parts that HVAC systems require. Both residential and large commercial HVAC systems must be customized to the spaces where they will be installed. To fit perfectly, each component must be accurately crafted. Laser cutting is ideally suited to these demands. In fact, since the process is so accurate, there are significantly fewer waste materials associated with production, reducing cost.

While traditional cutting techniques are time-consuming, laser cutting is fast and efficient yet does not sacrifice quality. The process is also easily scalable to meet fluctuating levels of demand without delays. Decorative air vent grilles, air ducts, ventilation ducts, stainless steel hoods, kitchen smoke exhaust systems, and fan installation components are just a few common laser-cut HVAC items. 

Injection Molding 

Injection moulding machines rely on a variety of metal fittings to perform plastic injection moulding processes. While these components can be created using laser cutting techniques, CO2 or ultraviolet lasers are also used during the injection molding process itself. After a component leaves the mould, a laser equipped with machine vision can cleanly trim off gates and excess flashing that occur as a result of the injection moulding process. The extreme accuracy of the laser cutter ensures there is no damage to the moulded component itself.  

Commercial Lighting

Laser cutting is a common choice for creating both functional and artistic commercial lighting components. The types of metal frequently used in this industry, such as brass, copper, aluminum, and stainless steel, are all suitable for the laser cutting process. Unlike other fabrication methods, laser-cut components feature precise edges with no mold processing characteristics. Since there is no need to perform further finishing techniques, production is fast and efficient. 

Laser cutting not only produces the functional aspects of commercial lighting fixtures but decorative components as well. Using this process, artistic metal lamp shades can be created in styles ranging from simple to highly intricate. 

Automotive

Automotive parts must adhere to demanding precision, accuracy, and tolerance requirements. Many of these parts are small and intricate or feature complex designs that can be challenging to recreate using traditional stamping and die-cutting methods. This industry, in particular, requires minimal deviation among parts while still achieving high production rates to keep up with the rapid pace of manufacturing. Laser cutting is ideally suited to these requirements.

This highly adaptable process is used to create many types of automotive components while ensuring they adhere to rigorous industry safety standards. Some of the most common laser-cut automotive parts include sheet metal body panels, exhaust and brake systems components, and engine parts.

Electrical 

The electrical industry uses a large number of small and delicate components that must be manufactured precisely. Laser cutting is a popular fabrication method since its accuracy guarantees that precise measurements will be adhered to. This fabrication method is also a popular choice since the delicate parts it creates feature clean, smooth edges that do not require further finishing.  Components like heat sinks, connectors, enclosures, and circuit boards are all created using this method. 

In addition to cutting metal parts out of sheets of metal, laser beams are also used to etch important information onto parts. Many small electronic components are identified and tracked by these laser engravings. Laser welding, which is a similar process, is also a widely used technique in the electrical industry. It neatly joins two pieces of metal without the need to apply heat or use filler materials. 

5-Axis Laser Cutting Services From Metal Craft Spinning and Stamping

With its exceptional precision and accuracy, laser cutting is a vital tool throughout many industries. In applications that require large quantities of identical parts, laser cutting excels, creating finished components at a fast pace with no sacrifice in quality. When parts that are intricate or feature complex geometries are required, 5-axis laser cutting is the ideal solution. 

Traditional laser cutting equipment works along x-, y-, and z-axes and requires the part to be continually repositioned. This creates room for errors and diminishes repeatability. However, with 5-axis laser cutting, equipment operators can simply tilt the table to work on three-dimensional parts. A wide range of thick and thin metal materials can be cut effortlessly, creating three-dimensional components with curved surfaces, tight angles, and highly intricate designs. 

At Metal Craft Spinning and Stamping, our laser cutting services meet the needs of many industries, creating diverse components with minimal lead times. As a fourth-generation family-owned company, we’ve been committed to quality for over 60 years. Whether you need laser cutting, metal spinning, or metal stamping, we have the expertise needed to make your project a success. To learn more about our capabilities, contact our team or request a quote today.