Expert Guides
Laser Cutting Cost Reduction Tips
Just like the sheets of metal you use, your laser-cutting costs can be trimmed to meet your needs perfectly. As a business, one of your main priorities is getting the best service at the right price. Laser cutting is well known for producing high and low volumes, a range of thicknesses and types of metal.
Laser Cutting Cost Reduction Tips
Design Thickness
Laser cutting is so versatile it is used on a large variety of materials, which is why it is the go-to option for many projects from construction to automotive.
One of the first methods you can use to reduce the cost of your laser cutting projects is to consider the design of the metals you want to use. The more simple designs that do not require a thick gauge material will improve the costs.
Design plays a crucial role in the manufacturing and production process of a product. By paying attention to the design, it is possible to identify areas where cost savings can be made without compromising the product's quality or functionality
Type of Metal
The most significant advantage of laser cutting is that it is used to cut almost any type of material. When reducing the cost of your laser cutting, one of the critical considerations is the type of metal you choose.
Typically metals like steel have several grades and many of the same properties. When this happens, you can compare the benefits of each type and reduce the cost by choosing the least expensive options.
When the project is still in the design phase, this is the ideal time to discuss all the options for metal. For example, if you want to use high-grade aluminium, you will see a high cost because the metal is also more costly. It’s important to consider whether there is a cheaper metal alternative which has the same properties as high-grade aluminium.
Maintenance of Machinery
One of the most vital things when reducing your laser cutting costs is working with a manufacturer who understands that regular machinery maintenance is important.
Regular laser-cutting machine maintenance means that the likelihood of breakdown or the need for replacement is lowered, which reduces the chances of downtime.
Well, maintained laser cutters will be faster and cleaner and help the project stay on track to meet deadlines.
Skipping on regular maintenance is not cost-cutting. Instead, a breakdown, extensive repair costs, or a complete replacement could be possible. This can cause lengthy delays with additional costs.
When machinery is working optimally, the quality can be seen in the cut.
Nesting
Nesting is the ultimate optimisation for laser cutting. Nesting means planning, laying out and cutting in specific ways to minimise waste.
Nesting configures the design and placement to use and wastes fewer materials, compacting more parts and maximising what is possible per sheet.
Also, nesting offers the opportunity to reduce machine costs too. When the pieces are together, the time travelled between parts is reduced and speeds up the cutting process.
An additional consideration when it comes to reducing the cost of laser cutting is the order quantities. It is essential to factor in the economy of scale. The higher the volume of orders you place, the better the final cost will be because the lasers won’t need to reset and, instead, can continue to operate until the project is complete.
We are based in Telford, and with easy access to transport links, we can deliver high-quality, bespoke and assembled products to you. Our expert team can make your next laser-cutting project cost-effective. With a bespoke laser cutting service available, our experienced and highly-knowledgeable team are happy to help. If you have an enquiry, fill out the contact form below.
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