Choosing the right cutting machine

Cutting machines consist of a working table and a frame supporting the cutting head. They are used to cut plates, sheets, sections or panels of materials. Depending on the material to be cut and the production parameters, you can choose between several cutting technologies such as laser cutting, water-jet cutting, plasma cutting, etc.Get more news about Knife Cutting Machine,you can vist our website!

How to choose a cutting machine?
In order to choose the right cutting machine for your requirements, you must first of all base your choice on the main characteristics of the material(s) to be cut. To give just a few examples, metal cutting machines, plastic cutting machines, fabric cutting machines and wood cutting machines do not all use the same technology.

You will also need to choose a machine calibrated in relation to the thickness to be cut and with a work table with dimensions adapted to the parts to be cut. Lastly, you must choose the cutting technology based on the precision you will need, the quality of the cut and the desired productivity.
What are the main types of cutting technology?
To cut metals, you can choose between laser cutting, plasma cutting, electrical discharge machining and oxyacetylene cutting. For rigid materials, metallic or otherwise, you can turn to water-jet cutting which allows you to cut thick materials. If you need to cut softer materials such as fabric, leather, soft plastic, paper or cardboard, you might be interested in knife cutting.
When should you choose a laser cutting machine?
Laser cutting allows you to cut different materials without having to change tools, simply by setting the laser parameters. It is a very precise process, with a very small notch width allowing for complex contours. Depending on the material to be cut, the cutting speed can be very fast. Laser cutting machines are fully automated and require very little human intervention, which greatly limits the risk of accidents.

The main limitation of laser cutting is its shallow cutting depth of around 25 millimeters. As a result, the main applications of laser cutting are the manufacture of sheet metal (especially for the automotive industry) and frames (for electrical cabinets, computers, etc.). For workpieces thicker than 25 mm, plasma cutting is the most suitable method. The area heated by the laser beam is not very large, but since it is subject to a strong temperature increase, it can become highly deformed.

Laser cutting produces gaseous emissions, so it is important to ensure that the room in which the machine is located is well ventilated.
When should you choose a plasma cutting machine?

Voortman plasma cutting machine

Plasma cutting machines are only used for ferrous (steel, stainless steel, etc.) and non-ferrous metals (brass, copper, aluminium, etc.) with a maximum thickness of 160 mm.

Plasma cutting is faster than laser cutting for medium or thick plates, and is faster than oxyacetylene cutting for thin or medium plates. In general, plasma cutting is suitable for cutting plates of thick metal.

The principle of plasma cutting is relatively close to that of TIG welding: it involves creating an electric arc that ionizes a gas projected through a nozzle between the electrode and the workpiece to be cut. For plasma cutting air, argon, nitrogen, oxygen or hydrogen are generally used. Regardless of the gas used, you will have to replace the nozzle and electrode regularly.

 

Portable plasma cutting machines are available for spot applications. Because of the heat generated and the fumes from the vaporized metal, plasma cutting can only be carried out in very well ventilated areas or outdoors.