Co2 cnc laser tables can cost between 12 20 hr to operate.
Water jet vs laser cutting cost.
This method of processing is mostly used for stainless steels or steel metals up to 5 8 thick.
Laser cutting for your custom metal project may be a perfect fit for our shop.
Plasma is the most limited.
The laser can be static or move across the material.
Here s why laser cutting is more affordable for your project no matter its size or shape.
Fiber cnc laser tables can operate between 10 18 hr.
When your job calls for metal custom laser cutting maximizes uptime while minimizing costs.
Depending on the pump capacity and cutting depth waterjet cutters cost between 20 40 hr to operate.
During the process a focused beam of light is used for the cut.
Waterjet cost factors operating costs.
Waterjet cutting is by far the most flexible of these 3 cutting processes because it can cut almost any material.
Laser cutting eliminates costly tooling charges and provides a quick turnaround.
The minimum size of the cutting slit is 0 006 0 15 mm for laser cutting and 0 02 0 5 mm for waterjet.
Waterjet is usually the most expensive to operate due to the need for consumable abrasives.
Waterjet is both slow and costly to run making it the least productive system to operate.
However there is one clear winner when you compare laser cutting vs.
Waterjet and laser are typically much more expensive to operate requiring specialist gases and other high cost consumables.
The cutting path of a laser is much thinner than a water jet which can be a benefit when cutting tight geometry on small parts or when components need to be nested close together.
A laser cutter is more accurate than a water jet in most instances with a cut tolerance as little as 002.
Such abrasives cost around 0 25 lb.
Laser is limited to metalics some plastics and fiberglass some fabric.
It can only cut conductive metals and is really only practical for mild steel stainless steel and aluminum.
Laser cutting is much more precise than waterjet cutting.
When cutting thin materials with laser very high cutting speeds can be achieved which can help to reduce the cost per part.
Laser cutters do well with materials that range between 0 12 and 0 4 in thickness and are commonly used to cut flat sheets of medium thickness.
Laser cutting involves the use of a laser to melt burn or vaporize material.
Because fixed tooling and fixturing are generally not required in either cutting process set up costs are minimal for both.