Laser cutting and punching are two sheet metal forming and cutting techniques. But which one is the best fit for your custom project at JHW? Well, let’s dig deeper in a comparison of a laser cutting and a punching process and find out pro’s and con’s, so you can make the right choice.
Laser Cutting and Punching: What's the Difference?
High powered lasers are used to cut sheet metal with unprecedented accuracy. It is also a multipurpose technique and can be used to cut through different materials such as steel, aluminum, and copper. Punching In comparison, punching is a process that involves a machine that punches holes and shapes into the metal using a sharp tool.
Selecting The Appropriate Process For Your Sheet Metal Project
Laser Cutting or Punching: Which is Best for My JHW Custom Sheet Metal Project? If you are trying to decide between laser cutting and punching for your custom sheet metal project at JHW, there are a few things to take into account. So I would say laser cutting is much better suited for complex designs and shapes that need to be precise. Meanwhile, punching is best for projects that have a large number of parts that are identical.
Pro’s And Con’s Of Laser Cutting When using custom metal work services there are many different potential processes that may be available to you.
Laser cutting is very precise and accurate. It is very easy to cut and leaves no sharp edges and no burrs. But laser cutting is not always cheaper than punching, especially in high volumes. Also, laser cutting may not be applicable to every type of material, for example reflective metals (copper, brass).
Punching- The Benefits for Precision Sheet Metal Prototyping
Punching is a fast and economical solution for production of precision parts. It is perfect for prototypes and low- to mid-volume production orders. Punch ratings Other than hole and shape cutting, punching machines can also do bending and forming. Punching is however not ideal for intricate designs which need to be cut.
Laser Cutting vs. Punching
In summary, the two kinds of processing methods have their own merits and demerits. In selecting the best method for your custom sheet metal job at JHW, things to consider include the complexity of the design, the number of parts required, and the material. Laser cuts are ideal for parts that need high level precision and detailed designs, punching however, is more cost-effective for production runs with simple shapes.
Ultimately, your decision of laser cutting vs. punching will come down to your specific project needs, and of course, your budget. No matter how you decide to go, you can trust JHW to provide the knowledge, resources, and services required to make your custom sheet metal product the way you want it.