Laser cutting – sheet metal cutting service
Laser cutting involves using a focused laser beam to heat materials in a localised area, cutting the metal by burning it to the desired shape.
The main advantage of this cutting process is the fine level of cutting detail that can be achieved thanks to fibre laser cutters.
Yorkshire Laser is one of the UK’s leading sheet metal laser cutting companies, accredited to ISO9001 and ISO14001 standards. Our reputation is built on reliably supplying your laser cutting solutions on time, and within budget.
What is laser cutting?
Laser cutting is a metal cutting method that uses an intensely focused laser beam that is equally capable of cutting other thick materials such as acrylics and wood.
Variants of the CO2 laser used to cut metals include fast axial flow, slow axial flow, and transverse flow, which uses a simple blower to circulate the gas mix that powers the laser at a lower velocity.
The benefits of sheet metal laser cutting
The benefits of using a sheet metal laser cutting service include:
- High-speed laser cutting capabilities in mild steel, stainless steel, galvanised and Zintec
- A superior edge finish on laser cut metal compared to punching or shearing
- Advancements in laser technology mean that there is no need to de-burr or finish even when cutting thick materials
- Fast turnaround – no need to exchange tools for each separate cut made with fibre lasers
- The computer numerical control laser head allows for higher levels of positioning accuracy compared to other thermal methods such as plasma cutting which are commonly used in the metal cutting industry
- Cutting speed can be adapted depending on material thickness
- Laser processing allows for the ability to create intricate detail, etching or marking – you can be artistic!
- Transverse flow lasers have the ability to create complex shapes affordably through industrial cutting
- Tolerances of +/- 0.1mm are achievable in varied material thickness
- Our laser generator means localised heat distortion on the surface of the material is reduced
- Achieve a polished edge on stainless steel using a nitrogen assist gas
- Compared to mechanical slitting processes, a laser allows items to be produced faster by eliminating the need for post-processing on the cutting edge
- Laser cutting works on highly reflective materials such as copper and other non ferrous materials
- Work from detailed drawings and cut complex, intricate shapes with precision
How does laser cutting work?
The pulsed laser beam is a column of high-intensity light, generated from electrically stimulated gas mixtures mostly comprising of carbon dioxide, that is directed through computer numerical controls toward the material. The process involves using a motion control system to follow a CNC or G-code of the pattern that is to be cut onto the material.
High-power laser radiation is generated at the power source and carried to the cutting head, where the laser power is amplified and concentrated into a narrow straight line.
The laser is then mounted on a gantry system where designs can be reproduced with great accuracy, even when there is a large number of curves and angles involved.
Generally, when laser cutting metals with fibre lasers, the maximum thickness of the metal sheet that can be cut is around 20–25 mm for mild steels.
Cost and quality compared to other methods
While plasma cutting and water cutting are viewed as more cost-effective methods than CNC laser cutting, they do not provide the excellent edge quality, attention to detail and ability to custom cut most materials that come with a high-velocity laser cutting machine.
High precision laser profiling allows for more intricate cutting, plus the fabrication process is quicker and results in less waste heat and reduced contamination.
An experienced laser cutting company
With 15 years of expertise, we know our stuff when it comes to the laser cutting process. We also know you don’t stay at the top of the laser-cut steel league without investing in your team, your technology and your business.
Our state of the art laser cutting machines can cut, kiss cut and engrave and can be combined with a variety of thin materials. And there’s no minimum order quantity.
Yorkshire Laser’s team of expert designers can work on complete projects from start to finish, or we can offer a subcontract service to other sheet metal fabrication companies searching for the accuracy and quality our machines offer.
We’re proud of the steel fabrication and laser cutting technology we have invested in – it helps us stay ahead of the game.
- Bystronic Byspeed is particularly suited to processing and finishing sheet material where it can achieve acceleration to 2g.
- Bystronic Bystar 4.4kw resonator enables us to process large sheet metals up to 4 metres by 2 metres in size.
Precision sheet metal work through the use of a laser beam
If that wasn’t enough, Yorkshire Laser and Fabrication has Material Resource Planning (MRP) software.
MRP helps us deliver a reliable and cost-effective laser cutter service by:
- Accurately planning the order to process jobs on time
- Giving us a live overview of what’s happening with every customer’s job, day and night
- Giving us the ability to accurately quote lead times at the point of order
- Giving us full traceability of all parts manufactured
- Ensuring that repeat order parts are right each and every time
- Reduce costs to deliver a better service to you
Materials suitable for our laser cutting machines
- Mild steel laser cutting
- Laser cutting on all stainless steel grades
- Carbon steel laser cutting
- Aluminium laser cutting
- Galvanised steel, Zintec laser cutting
With more than 17 years of laser cutting experience, our expert laser cutting services team has the knowledge needed to ensure we not only fulfill but surpass your sheet metal profiling expectations.
