We have an 3Kw Fiber laser with a 3000 x 1500 bed, and use this to cut mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium and copper components for our own parts and assemblies, and components for the use of our customers. We also have a 12Kw Fiber laser with a 4000 x 2000 bed, this cuts all the same materials as our 3Kw but allows us to cut larger parts and from thicker materials up to 50mm stainless plate. We have two Fiber Tube lasers these are capible of cutting from 12mm up to 350mm dia pipe, we do have the ability to cut larger tube if needed but machines are better suited to this size. Multiform also owns our own Nitrogen generator this helps us be competitive in the marked.
Most of what we cut goes on for further processing, such as bending, welding, electropolishing and galvanising. What will help to reduce the cost of my laser-cut components?
Here are few ideas that will help to produce a more economic component.
1. Reduce the number of pierces. Each pierce takes time, and therefore costs money. A couple of ideas for reducing the number of pierces are:• Linking holes, so they are similar to a figure 8. • Slotting the holes to the outside edge, so the hole is cut as part of the perimeter.
These ideas are not always practical, but in some cases will work well.
2. Can a thinner section material be used? If the design is changed, would a thinner material still be strong enough? Or is it possible already 'over-engineered', and a thinner section perfectly viable?
Needless to say, material does cost, and the more there is. . .
3. If there is further processing, will a design change make this easier or more foolproof, thus reducing costs down the line?
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