Precision and efficiency are everything in today’s case the manufacturing and fabrication industry. One of the most effective techniques that have changed the landscape of metal fabricating is laser cutting. Especially when it comes to stainless steel. So is SS laser cutting really a thing? Can the lasers cut stainless steel effectively and cleanly? In this blog we will break down what SS laser cutting is, how and why it works and what to consider when using it on your next project.
What is SS Laser Cutting?
It refers to the approach of cutting stainless steel (SS) with powerful laser technology. It uses a focused beam of light to generate heat that can melt, burn or vaporize the material in a certain direction. The end result is a clean, accurate cut with minimal waste, less secondary processing and high repeatability. There are a variety of processes for laser cutting of stainless steel using different lasers (i.e., CO₂ laser or fiber laser) and they all have advantages.
For example, fiber lasers offer clearer advantages in terms of better efficiency, speed of cutting and cost to operate while compared to conventional CO₂ lasers, especially for thin to medium thickness stainless steel.
Why is Laser Cutting Ideal for Stainless Steel?
Here are a few reasons why laser cutting is such a great option for stainless steel:
- Accuracy and Clean Edges
- Less Material Waste
- Ability to Cut Varying Thicknesses
- Time and Cost Effective
What You Need to Know Before Choosing SS Laser Cutting
Before you decide on SS laser cutting, there are a few critical things to keep in mind:
1. Material Grade Counts
Various grades of stainless steel have differing tolerances to laser cutting. In this context, the 304 grade tends to be the most popular, as it is both a good cutting material and corrosion resistant.
2. Surface Finish
Depending on what laser parameters you use as well as the type of gas used, the profile of the cut edge will vary in terms of surface finish. Nitrogen is typically used when cutting stainless steel, because it gives us a clean cut with no oxidation on the cut edge.
3. Thickness Will Alter Cut Quality
As a metal, stainless steel laser cutting takes place, whether thick or thin, cut quality diminishes the thicker the material is cut. Similar to cutting thicker material will result in cut edge requiring multiple passes, or check the material setting for edge precision.
4. Gas Assistance is Important
Laser cutting of stainless steel commonly uses assist gases to get molten material out of the cut zone. The type of gas can contribute to cut speed, edge quality and oxidation.
5. Proper Equipment is Important
All laser cutting equipment are not created equal. When it comes to achieving consistent results with high quality, the key is using modern, calibrated machines with the right power and precision used for SS laser cutting.
Applications of SS Laser Cutting
SS laser cutting is a great method and versatile, so it is being used in variety of industries including:
- Architectural panels and decorative products
- Kitchen equipment & kitchen appliance manufacturing
- Medical instruments & surgical tool manufacturing
- Precision automotive parts fabrication
- Part manufacturing for industrial machinery
- Signage & promotional products
SS laser cutting gives amazing results, whether you’re creating complex parts or simply designing for aesthetics.
Conclusion
So, can you laser cut SS? Yes, In fact, SS laser cutting is still considered one of the most effective and accurate means of fabricating stainless steel in current times. Companies like Madaan Lasertech are leading examples of using SS laser cutting to cut high quality sheet metal components, parts for rice mills and more, using sheet metal machinery technology. With the intent of redefining standards in capable service and committing to being the leader in fabrication solutions, they utilize laser part cutting, press brake bending and metal coating as a practice suite to suit and adapt to the ever-changing industries.