The modern metal fabrication process is composed of a variety of techniques that promise quality returns; laser cutting stands out as one of the most interesting, as it’s adaptable, precise, and efficient, which make it quite compelling whether you are seeking help on a simple or complex fabrication project.

Keep the following quick tips in mind when you begin to plan your next laser cutting project:

Consider Material Thickness and Type During the Design Process

When you begin the design process for your next project, consider your options in regards to the type of material and required thickness. As you know, different materials burn at different rates, and the thinner the material is, the faster the laser will cut through it. After all, you are paying for the time  the laser spends running. Ultimately, choosing the proper material type or working to find the optimal material thickness for your part can help to cut laser cutting costs considerably. This isn’t always easy, though, depending on the complexity of your project, so if you have questions about material type or thickness in consideration for an upcoming project, feel free to contact us.

Simplicity is Your Friend

Keeping design elements simple is an often overlooked aspect of project planning, yet it’s valuable to strive for designs that will minimize laser-cutting time. It’s not always easy to design a project in its simplest form, but remember: the less time it takes to cut, the less it will cost. You end up paying for every movement a laser cutting makes. Whether a technician is cutting, engraving or traveling between cuts, it adds up. To help your design details stay simple, remember that tracing small detailed shapes with the laser cutting machine will eat up more time than tracing larger ones and straight lines take up less time to cut than circles.

Remember, Laser Cutting Is Just One Piece of Metal Fabrication

While it’s beneficial to find a metal fabrication company that can build the main part of an enclosure or a custom part, it’s much better when you find a company that can also perform the powder coating, spot welding, and other techniques that transform your planned component into a seamless finished project. Some may argue, why can’t I contract out different parts of the job to as many low bidders as necessary? The answer is simple: no matter how cheap these services are, the added logistics of working with multiple companies immensely burden the project, often leading to increased overhead and potential costly mistakes.

Laser cutting and fabricating technologies have been around for a long time, so it’s preferable to find a qualified vendor that can offer a wide variety of complementary services.

It's Critical to Find the Appropriate Fabrication & Laser Cutting Partner

As you can imagine, success in any fabrication project is entirely dependent on absolute accuracy; finding a company with skilled workers who can perform precision laser cutting for your parts and comments is crucial to ensure high quality products.

Does the company have on-site testing capabilities? Detailed inspections are necessary to guarantee the accuracy of laser cutting processes and fabrication procedures. Look for a company that can conduct these tests on-site and offer quick feedback on the precision achieved for your components— this is helpful for evaluating the quality of their services.

Is the company accessible and easy to work with? Does the prospective fabrication and laser cutting partner offer the ability for you to scan and transmit drawings electronically? This can help to greatly speed up the production process while improving overall productivity. Keep in mind: companies that can receive a wide variety of electronic formats are quite helpful in providing added flexibility and improved speed for last minute changes and adjustments to necessary parts and components for your company.

Has the company proven to be a reliable presence in the industry? Search for a company with a stellar track record of quality and on-time delivery. Ultimately, hiring an experienced laser cutting firm with a reputation for dependability can help you to manage supply chains more effectively. Scour through company reviews and look through a gallery of their recent projects— if the company is proud of their work, they should be showing it off!

CAMM Metals | Laser Cutting Services in Connecticut

CAMM Metals is proud to offer laser cutting services for your next fabrication product. We can fabricate any order, whether it includes prototypes, components, or final assemblies. We adhere to the belief that high quality results can only be achieved through the use of high quality equipment. Our technicians operate the Prima Power PLATINO® Fiber 2D laser cutting machine, offering the fastest cutting speeds on the market! Laser cutting offers the ability to cut through a wide variety of materials and thicknesses at high speeds, producing extremely precise and accurate cuts.