When selecting metal cutting services, one has several good options to select from. But there are significant differences between these options, and the informed buyer can save a lot of money with a good choice.
Laser Cutting:
Laser cutting involves light relocating a straight line towards the task piece, removing metal by vaporization. Laser cutters usually have tolerances down to .0005 inches. They're potentially the most precise and may have the tiniest kerf (or cutting width). Also, they are the fastest at cutting thin material (16 gauge or thinner). Better laser cutters can cut mild steel as thick as 1.25 inches. The way to obtain the laser involves laser gasses and electricity.
CNC Cutting Monmouth Cutting:
Waterjet cutting involves abrasives and high pressure water at 35-75,000 PSI aimed towards the workpiece leading to precise abrasion cutting. Steel parts is often as thick as 6 inches and stay within tolerances of +/- .003 of an inch. Materials can range from metal to ceramic tiles and virtually anything between. It is undoubtedly the slowest method of the cutting services discussed in this article. The supply of the waterjet includes water and moderately expensive tiny rocks called garnet.
Plasma Cutting:
Plasma cutting involves temperature plasma and an electric arc seeking ground. In this case, it seeks ground through the workpiece--and along the way removes metal by melting the material and blowing it away from the work area. Plasma cutting has undoubtedly the fastest speeds when cutting thick metal. Plasma cutting requires electricity and certain gasses to function.
Which Cutting Method IS MOST EFFECTIVE?
The best cutting method largely depends on the capabilities required. If a job involves a piece of metal 1" thick or less and requiring moderate to strict tolerances, nothing beats a laser cutter. If a workpiece is made of an exotic material which has low tolerance to heat (called a "Heat Affected Zone"), a waterjet is likely your very best bet. If the material is metallic and intensely thick (say, 1.5 inches or even more) and speed is crucical, then plasma cutting would be the best.