When it comes to metal fabrication, the choice of the proper cutting technology is like finding your way through a maze. You have your project in mind, your materials ready to go, and your deadline approaching. The choice, however, is narrowed down to two of the heavyweights of the industry: plasma cutting and laser cutting.
The choice of the proper technology is crucial to the Australian business world and the hobbyist alike. The proper choice of the technology will end up saving you money, ensuring the quality of your end product, and keeping your project on schedule. The following is a breakdown of the mechanics, pros, and cons of each technology to help you make the proper choice for your next fabrication project!
Understanding Plasma Cutting
Plasma cutting is a thermal cutting technology used to cut through electrically conductive materials with the aid of a high-speed stream of hot plasma. It achieves this by passing an electric arc through gas passing through a constricted opening. The high temperature of the gas is then sufficient to reach the fourth state of matter, known as plasma. The high temperatures then melt the metal, while the high velocity of the gas blows the molten metal away, resulting in a cut.
This process is known for its incredible cutting ability and speed, especially with thicker materials. The cutting process works best with steel, stainless steel, and aluminium materials. If you want to cut heavy-duty plates or structural steel, then this is the process to consider. The professional-grade plasma cutting systems used in this process are known for their ruggedness.
One of the advantages that is associated with this process is that it is cost-effective. The cost is lower compared to that of a laser cutting machine. The second advantage is that it is fast. The plasma cutting torch is known for its ability to cut medium-to-thick materials with incredible cutting speeds.
However, this process is also associated with some disadvantages. The first disadvantage is that its precision is relatively lower. The second disadvantage is that the width of the cut material, also known as the kerf, is relatively higher. There is also a possibility that a larger heat-affected zone is produced, especially with thinner materials.
The Precision of Laser Cutting
Laser cutting is a different process from plasma cutting. The process involves the use of a beam of light, especially a high-power beam. The beam is used for cutting, burning, and melting materials. The beam is guided by a computer numerical control system.
The cutting process is known to produce a high-quality finish with extreme precision. The process works best with intricate designs and tolerances. The process is also known to work exceptionally with all materials, especially with carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminium, and non-metal materials.
The largest advantage of using a laser cutting machine is that it is very precise, as it is capable of cutting a very narrow kerf and heat affected zone, therefore allowing for a perfect fit that does not require any further processing, saving time in the end. The only con of using a laser cutting machine is that it is very expensive. It has an incredibly high cutting speed, especially on thin sheet metal, but it is much slower with thicker materials, making it less efficient compared to the plasma cutting machine.
Making the Final Cut
The choice of one of these two cutting methods, plasma cutting and laser cutting, is based on individual needs and requirements that you may have for a particular project that you are working on. If you are working on a project that needs cutting of thick conductive metals as quickly and cost-effectively as possible, but does not require a high level of precision, then the cutting method that is best for you is plasma cutting.
However, if you are working on a project that needs a high level of precision and detail, or if you are working with thinner materials, for which the cut surface is of the utmost importance, then it would definitely be worth it to invest in a laser cutting machine, as it is capable of a level of precision and detail that is not possible with a plasma cutting machine!