Laser Cutting in Sheridan, Wyoming

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Laser-cutting technology has improved contract manufacturing and the welding trade by providing a highly efficient, precise, and accurate means to cut many material types and thicknesses. It uses a concentrated laser beam to melt and vaporize the base material, and assist gas to evacuate the kerf. A laser machine’s precise and high-speed cutting, along with advanced motion control and efficient material handling features, results in a highly efficient machine. With our Trumpf 2030 4K Fiber laser, we are on the cutting edge of laser technology. This machine is a workhorse, and with it, we produce parts for in-house welding and parts that ship straight to our customers.

Here at Wyoming Welding & Machine, we created this white paper to laser cutting to help you understand the various types of materials, considerations, parameters, and design constraints when considering laser cutting as an option for your project. We want to provide you with clear, detailed insights that support your production or project goals.

Advantage of a laser over other cutting methods

A laser is much faster than any other cutting method. With our Trumpf fiber laser, we sometimes cut at speeds over 1,000 IPM depending on thickness. This is much faster (10 times faster, or even higher) than other cutting options like plasma or water jet. The edge quality of laser-cut parts is second to none. Depending on the assist gas used, the cut edges have no oxidation. Parts that come off a laser with no oxidation are ready to weld, paint, or move to the next step with no 2nd process needed to prepare the edge. If assist gas is used to create oxidation, it is minimal and can be welded through without any edge prep needed. The edges are also square cut, with no bevel or taper on the edge. This means edges do not have to be ground square, as they do when cut with plasma. Laser-cut parts with square edges look better and can be used as a finished edge on a finished product without any post-cutting processing. When properly cut with a laser, there is no slag on the bottom side of the cut. Because of this, laser-cut parts do not require grinding, scraping, or chipping on the bottom side. Not having to remove post-cutting slag means parts don’t have grinding, scraping, scratching, or other undesirable marks on them, meaning they don’t need any post-op finishing. These aspects have led to laser cutting being the most efficient, fastest, and highest quality high-speed cutting method in the contract manufacturing, welding, and metal fabrication industry.

Material for laser cutting

The following materials are the most commonly used in the industry. Laser cutting these materials produces quality cut edges and precise parts. Depending on the thickness, these materials can also be cut at very high speeds.

Mild Steel

Mild steel is one of the most accessible and versatile metals for laser cutting. Its robust combination of strength, workability, affordability, and weldability makes it a popular choice across the most common industries, such as automotive, construction, manufacturing, and industrial goods. Many other industries use mild steel in supporting roles, such as skids, frames, cabinets, or housings, that support their industry-specific components made from more specialized materials.

Considerations when planning to laser cut steel are:

Material thickness – keeping thicknesses as low as possible increases cut speed, decreases material costs, and results in a cheaper part
Grades – steel grade does not affect cut quality or speed, so you have the freedom to choose the material that best fits your requirements

There are many parameters and variables in laser cutting, but rest assured, we take care of them on our end, so you don’t have to. When you work with us, your result is a perfect part.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is corrosion—and rust-resistant, and it is stronger and more resistant to heat than mild steel. Stainless steel is a popular material for our chemical, marine, and oilfield customers. It also performs exceptionally well in laser-cutting applications. It is common in marine, offshore, energy, medical device manufacturing, chemical, and many other industries. Its high-performance nature and aesthetic appeal make it popular for many industries and for many reasons.

The attributes that make stainless steel a top laser-cutting material include:

Considerations when planning to laser cut stainless steel are:

Material thickness – keeping thicknesses as low as possible increases cut speed, decreases material costs, and results in a cheaper part.
Grades – the grade of stainless steel does not affect cut quality or speed, so you have the freedom to choose material that best fits your requirements

Laser-cutting stainless steel yields precise and clean edges without compromising integrity. The process accommodates various thicknesses, which maintains high accuracy and minimal heat distortion. Moreover, while stainless steel’s reflective properties can pose challenges, advanced laser cutting technology at Wyoming Welding & Machine mitigates these issues. We deliver consistent, high-quality results with no deformation or burr formation.

Aluminum

Aluminum is a unique metal with significant differences from steel, stainless steel, and titanium. Its high thermal conductivity and reflectivity allow the metal to quickly dissipate heat from the laser beam during laser cutting, which poses some challenges. With our expertise and precise Trumpf fiber laser, we cut aluminum flawlessly and deftly. The result is clean, smooth edges that require minimal or no post-processing. The same thickness and grade considerations apply.

When choosing aluminum, the formability of the part also has to be considered. If the laser-cut parts will be press-bent formed, the grade of aluminum needs to be 5052-H32. Stronger grades, such as 6061 or 7075, will crack during forming or cold working. Knowing the end-use and subsequent processing steps is important to pick the correct grade of aluminum during the design phase of a project.

According to a 2023 review article published in the Journal of Materials Research and Technology, aluminum alloys have become a preferred material in the aerospace industry due to the increasing demand for lightweight components. As a high-grade alloy that resists fracture or cracking failure under repetitive loading conditions, it is commonly used in sheet form to manufacture advanced components and complex geometries, including aircraft wings and fuselage.

Titanium

Titanium is a lustrous white metal with high market demand. It’s more expensive than steel and aluminum due to its rarity, production costs, and strict quality control standards. However, while it may be tempting to choose an affordable alternative, titanium’s impressive properties make it an indispensable material for several applications. The higher cost of this exotic metal is often a necessary trade-off for the following reasons:

Superior corrosion resistance to stainless steel
Highest strength-to-weight ratio
Low density
High melting point and heat resistance
High fatigue resistance
Low thermal expansion
Good heat transfer capabilities
Nonmagnetic
Biocompatibility (non-toxicity)

At Wyoming Welding & Machine, we are unique because we can laser-cut titanium. This capability is very rare, with only a handful of shops in the country able to do this. We have a proprietary process and highly skilled and experienced team members that allow us to laser-cut titanium. The alternative is water jet cutting titanium, which is much slower and costs a lot more.

Titanium is ideal for advanced applications across various high-technology industries, including aerospace, medical, chemical processing, and automotive.

In the aerospace industry, contract manufacturers use titanium for aircraft structures, engine components, and interior elements. Its high strength-to-weight ratio, resistance to corrosion, and high temperatures enhance aerospace parts’ performance and longevity.

In the chemical industry, many manufacturers prefer titanium for equipment and piping systems that handle corrosive substances. Its high resistance to chemicals, including acids and chlorides, ensures reliable performance and resilience in harsh environments, therefore reducing maintenance and replacement costs. We laser cut a lot of titanium sheets and plates that we turn into products for the chemical, marine, and nuclear industries.

Other Metals

Our custom laser-cut solutions accommodate copper, brass, and other metals. Contact us if what you have in mind for your project is not mentioned above. We offer limitless designs, tight tolerances, and repeatable processing.

Which Metal Is Best for Your Laser Cut Project?

Different metals respond distinctively to laser cutting. Each type requires the correct laser parameters and the correct settings to maximize effectiveness and minimize waste. Furthermore, different metals have unique applications and considerations when laser cutting them.

If you need assistance choosing the best metal for your needs, the Wyoming Welding & Machine team can help, as well as offer full-service laser cutting and fabrication. Get in touch with us for any inquiries, concerns, or to request a quote. As leading providers of contract manufacturing across the west, we guarantee the highest standards of excellence in every project.

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