Custom Steel Fabrication: Preparing Your Sheet Design for Laser Cutting

Posted on: 14 May 2020

Laser cutting is an ideal process to consider for your project if you are preparing for sheet steel fabrication. This approach is advantageous over alternatives because it allows for precise and cleaner cuts in comparison to rough mechanical cutting. Moreover, there is a lot of integration of this manufacturing process with computer technology. This means there is lower risk of errors due to human intervention in the interpretation of the design. However, you should keep in mind that the results of laser cutting will depend on the quality of your design. Therefore, use the outlined tips to prepare the best design for quality sheet steel fabrication.

Maximise on the Material

It is important to minimise material wastage when designing for custom fabrication. In simple terms, you should keep in mind that proper planning can help you minimise the sheet steel used. Consequently, the production costs will be reduced. This consideration is of particular importance when cutting multiple small parts. It would be beneficial to plan for these components to be laid out on a single sheet close to each other. This will allow for efficient material use. It will also increase the speed of manufacturing.

Plan for the Edges

When cutting sheet metal using a laser, you should think about the edges of your custom products. In general, the corners of the completed pieces or parts can be rounded or sharp. It is advisable to make a decision on the best option for your project during the design phase. Otherwise, you will need to spend more time and money for secondary refinement of these corners. If you are interested in a sleek and clean final product, sharp edges might be perfect for your needs. However, more often than not, slightly rounded corners are more advantageous. These have a softer appearance which blends with any environment. Moreover, there will be lower risk of injury and damage during handling.

Consult on Specifications

Finally, you should discuss the technical specifications with your laser cutting specialist before submitting your design. This is essential because each fabricator has rules that customers should understand for seamless cooperation. If you do not know the requirements, the cost of the project might increase, and the timeline might be extended. For instance, it is essential to know the preferred file format for submitting a digital design for laser cutting. This eliminates the need for conversion. Also, check on the guidelines for specifying the chosen tolerances for an accurate custom steel product. 

Contact a company that offers laser cutting services to learn more.

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