Lean manufacturing is the process of cutting back on certain materials or speeding up certain processes to lower the overall cost of manufacturing. There can be key benefits to this approach to manufacturing, but it's important to move forward with a balanced view of lowering costs without compromising quality. This blog looks at that concept, but it also delves into other information related to the manufacturing and industrial fields. Ultimately, this blog is designed to help manufacturing professionals as well as B2B clients who purchase products or outsource processes to this field. If you have questions, I hope that you find the answers you need here.
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New to the world of steel fabrication? Steel fabrication refers to a range of processes that metal fabrication shops use to convert steel raw material into semi-finished components for final assembly. One of the most commonly used processes used in the fabrication of steel is cutting. Cutting involves splitting steel workpieces into smaller sizes or sections before they can be turned into the desired shapes. While many different cutting techniques are available for accomplishing this, some are more popular than others.
Keep reading to familiarise yourself with these 2 common methods used to cut through steel these days.
1. Laser cutting
As the name suggests, this cutting technique involves using laser power to cut steel. It is revered for its high level of precision and accuracy when cutting through steel workpieces. This not only improves the quality of the final parts or products but also reduces the need for rework due to burred edges.
Laser cutting also provides high cutting speeds, which is essential for high-volume production applications. On the downside, it uses a lot of energy and is inherently dangerous if not used properly. Some common dangers associated with the lasers include skin burns, eye damage, and inhalation of toxic metal fumes. The good news is that laser cutting can be carried out safely as long as the appropriate safety measures and protocols are adhered to.
2. Abrasive waterjet cutting
Here, a powerful jet stream of water mixed with abrasives is used to cut through steel. While pure water only can be used in other cutting applications, steel is a hardened material that requires more cutting power to cut quickly and efficiently. The abrasives added to the water help to provide this additional cutting power.
One of the most notable advantages of abrasive waterjet cutting is that it is a heat-free process. This helps to prevent thermal distortion of workpieces, which can result in potentially expensive rework. The secret to achieving high-quality cuts while using waterjet cutting machines is to keep the spray coherent with the line that you want to cut in the workpiece.
Speed is the biggest drawback of the waterjet cutting equipment. When compared to traditional cutters, these cutting machines can take longer to get the job done. This can slow down production operations.
While laser and waterjet cutting machines are popular choices for steel fabrication projects, many other cutting techniques can be used to great effect. For more information about your steel cutting options, consult a reputable steel fabricator near you.
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