When selecting https://djhillengineering.uk/best-cnc-cutting-mid-glamorgan/ cutting services, you have several good options to choose from. But you can find significant differences between these options, and the informed buyer can save a bundle with the right choice.
Laser Cutting:
Laser cutting involves light moving in a straight line towards the work piece, removing metal by vaporization. Laser cutters usually have tolerances right down to .0005 inches. They are potentially probably the most precise and will have the smallest kerf (or cutting width). Also, they are the fastest at cutting thin material (16 gauge or thinner). More powerful laser cutters can cut mild steel as thick as 1.25 inches. The supply of the laser involves laser gasses and electricity.
Waterjet Cutting:
Waterjet cutting involves abrasives and ruthless water at 35-75,000 PSI aimed towards the workpiece leading to precise abrasion cutting. Steel parts can be as thick as 6 inches and stay within tolerances of +/- .003 of an inch. Materials can range between metal to ceramic tiles and virtually anything between. It is undoubtedly the slowest method of the cutting services discussed in this post. The way to obtain the waterjet includes water and moderately expensive tiny rocks called garnet.
Plasma Cutting:
Plasma cutting involves high temperature plasma and a power arc seeking ground. In this case, it seeks ground through the workpiece--and in the process 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 very best cutting method largely depends on the capabilities required. In case a job involves a bit of metal 1" thick or less and requiring moderate to strict tolerances, nothing beats a laser cutter. In case a workpiece is made from 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 extremely thick (say, 1.5 inches or even more) and speed is crucical, then plasma cutting will be the best.