Laser cutting has developed considerably from early crude manifestations into the vastly more capable and economical offering manufacturers enjoy today. Yet some companies remain unaware of present-day laser cutting realities or are skeptical such extreme precision could meet their expectations. Nothing substitutes for seeing the latest systems’ startling effectiveness for yourself via live demonstration. Read on how to experience efficient laser cutting solutions in Melbourne for what to expect if you arrange an exploratory laser cutting trial.
Arriving at the Laser Cutting Facility
I still remember my initial laser cutting demo at a supplier’s production workshop back around 2008. Approaching their facility, I wasn’t fully prepared for the immense high-tech machine I encountered or the ear-protection headgear required when it operates.
The cutting laser itself is visually unimpressive to watch in action unlike dramatic sci-fi movie rayguns. But don’t let its mundane blocked-off appearance fool you. The power inside that thing as it seamlessly carved out intricate widget prototypes nearly nonstop for hours left me shaking my head in awe!
Observing Laser Cutting of Your Parts
The company should start by having you submit digital files for sample parts you typically manufacture so the laser can demonstrate cutting your actual or comparable designs. The more complex the better!
When I sent some CAD files the week prior containing tricky curved slits and square apertures down to 0.5 mm in silicone grommets my shop produces, their applications engineer just chuckled confidently. But I figured there was no way laser technology could match ourprecision stamping presses. I was in for a big surprise…
As their laser methodically executed every narrow slit and tiny hole in my samples with spot-on accuracy at lightning speed, I practically picked my jaw up off the floor! And clean edges without burred corners or hardened remnants surpassed our in-house post-treatment needed for equivalent results.
Seeing the speed, quality and capabilities achievable firsthand converted this former laser cutting skeptic instantly. It was almost like witnessing teleportation become real right before my eyes!
Analyzing Results and Options
Laser cutting personnel will usually discuss your sample job afterward to highlight benefits over current processes and point out design refinements feasible too. Since lasers slice from digital files instead of hard tooling, all sorts of customization or productivity enhancements may now make economic sense.
We determined our bottleneck stamping presses could actually be bypassed if we redesigned certain parts to take advantage of laser cutting’s flexibility. Savings on tooling changes and scrap would provide under a 2 year payback on acquiring a laser machine, not to mention opening new customer design options.
Assembling suppliers, outsourcing arrangements or even buying your own system are possibilities they’ll outline. Laser veterans can also suggest alternative materials better optimized for laser processing. There’s no obligation to purchase anything immediately – investigating possibilities is the goal.
Don’t Be Left Behind the Curve!
If you still cling to outdated notions of laser cutting as a fringe process too slow or inaccurate for mainline manufacturing needs, then scheduling an exploratory trial will crack open your eyes. As lasers continue progressing while costs keep dropping, more industries are being transformed.
I realized that day my prior laser cutting doubts were rooted in ignorance of its meteoric technical advancements. And I didn’t want our production capacities lagging based on faulty assumptions while savvier competitors pressed their advantage.
My advice is don’t timidly watch from the sidelines and risk having laser-based rivals surgically carve away your customer base. Get up close to laser cutting yourself! Its practical benefits and nearly magical capabilities speak for themselves. Just observing lasers rapidly producing phenomenal results using your own parts templates will undoubtedly revise any misconceptions about laser limitations.