Laser cutting and laser cutting | Manufacturing process and other cutting methods

Laser cutting is the most efficient thermal cutting process for metallic materials for the production of laser cuts and laser parts. The high-energy and pulsed radiation of high-power lasers is used in the manufacturing process. Depending on the material in question, the surface is melted, burned or vaporized by the energy of the laser during laser cutting. The dissolved material is then blown out of the kerf by a strong jet of a low-reaction gas. The particular advantage of the manufacturing process is that the cut edge of the blanks is precise and clean during laser cutting, eliminating the need for post-treatment for subsequent painting or coating.

Depending on the state of aggregation – melting, burning or evaporating – a general distinction can be made between laser fusion cutting, laser flame cutting and laser sublimation cutting. The latter is suitable for cutting inorganic as well as organic materials. Modern laser cutting systems enable flawless laser cuts and laser parts for prototypes, small and large series.

Table of Contents

Advantages and disadvantages of laser cutting at a glance:

Advantages:

Particularly economical manufacturing process, even for very small quantities
High cutting quality, Edges do not have to be reworked or hardly need to be reworked
Suitable for almost all materials
Cutting and engraving possible in one work step
Ideally suited for minimal processing thicknesses and filigree laser parts

Disadvantage:

High requirements and investment costs in terms of occupational safety
The maximum cutting depth is less with laser cutting than with other cutting processes

Other metal cutting processes

In addition to laser cutting, other cutting processes are also used to separate metallic materials.

Plasma cutting

This is used to liquefy the surface of a workpiece Plasma cutting the high energy of plasmas. These are electrically conductive gases with ions and electrons as free charge carriers. An arc generated by high voltage ionizes the gas path between the plasma cutter and the workpiece. By jumping over the current to the workpiece, the main arc is created as the final cutting arc. The melt is blown out of the kerf by the flow of plasma gas.

Advantages:

High cutting speed and economy

Disadvantage:

Only suitable for electrically conductive materials

Water jet cutting

The third abrasive separation process is that Water jet cutting . Pure water is used when processing soft materials such as plastic or paper. In the case of harder materials such as ceramics, glass, stone or steel, on the other hand, a powdery abrasive is added to the water – often a sharp-edged olivine or garnet sand. The water pressure during the process is between 600 and 6,000 bar. The following applies: the higher the pressure, the greater the cutting depth.

Advantage:

Also suitable for difficult-to-work and temperature-sensitive materials

Disadvantage:

Growing grooves in the kerf at high cutting speeds

Laser cutting at Gutekunst

Gutekunst Formfedern GmbH has been manufacturing individual laser cuts and laser parts from steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, bronze alloys, electrical steel and many other metals since 1990. Whether sample parts, small quantities or even series parts – Gutekunst Formfedern processes any desired shape and number of items quickly, precisely and with complete freedom from contours individually according to specific dimensional specifications using drawings, sketches, CAD data or samples.

Gutekunst Formfedern offers laser cuts, laser parts and sheet metal parts with the following properties:

Material thicknesses from 0.1 to 3.0 millimeters
Panel sizes of 300 X 2,500 and 1,200 X 2,500 millimeters
From the materials:
- Normal steel and spring steel according to EN 10270-1
- C100S (1.1231) and C75S QT (1.1248)
- Stainless steel after X10 CrNi 18-8 (1.4310), X7 CrNiAl 17-7 (1.4568) and X5 CrNiMo 17-12-2 (1.4401)
- Tin bronze CuSn 6 (2.1020)
- Copper beryllium CuBe 2 (2.1247)
- Electrical steel sheets according to EN 10106
- aluminum AlMg3 and Al99
With laser marking
Additional folds and shaping
Final surface treatment
In large series, small quantities or as prototypes

Order laser cuts and laser parts by express delivery

Would you like to request a quote for laser cuts and laser parts or order directly from Gutekunst? Simply send your CAD data, a sample, a sketch or drawing of the desired laser part as well as the required number of pieces and surface treatment by post, by email to laserteile@gutekunst-formfedern.de or the following inquiry button. After receiving your request, you will receive your individual offer within 24 hours. Do you have any questions about laser parts, laser cuts or sheet metal parts? Then contact our technical department directly.