Making Good: Stages In Processing And Manufacturing

Choosing the right metal fabricator is the secret to carrying out your project successfully. This lies in the techniques they use to prepare your materials and put them in order for your project. Fabricators with the right technology and machines come with the added of reduced costs, short delivery times and overall efficiency that cannot be matched by their competitors. Turret punching and laser cutting are some of the modern techniques used in process manufacturing of metal fittings and fixtures. So what does each of these processes entail? What are the upsides and drawbacks when using them? The following discussion will help you understand what happens in each of the methods:

Turret Punching

Turret punching is done by shearing, which involves placing a metal sheet between a lower tool called the die and an upper tool referred to as the punch. The punch pushes through the material be being cut, producing punch openings. The material is pushed through the die and the processes is repeated if the fabricator wants to produce several similar cuts. All this time, the material is clamped and moved from one place to another using a computerised system. This guarantees precision.

The cost of running a mechanical turret machine is significantly low for both the electricity used up and tooling the process. To add on that, turret punching doesn't present workpiece challenges when it comes to the thickness of the material. The tools can be changed to attain the appropriate toughness and sharpness that will work on a particular material.

Laser Cutting

Laser cutting refers to the use of powerful laser beams to cut through steel plates and sheets. The beams are also used to vapourise steel and slit hard metals. Essentially, the technology relies on focusing an energised beam supplemented by cutting gas, and the vapourisation of the metal occurs in a confined area. Laser cutting is a very delicate process. Unlike turret punching, many factors play a role in the quality of the work done. Excellent quality of the beam, consistent power in the beam, purity of the cutting gas and polarisation are some of the significant factors contributing to the what will be achieved at the end of the fabrication process. One thing goes wrong, and the work might have to be redone. Moreover, laser beams use up too much power if you are working with thick materials, which translates to higher project costs in the end.

For more information or assistance, contact companies like Australian General Engineering.