 |
For cutting metals less than 1/16th” thick
BEAM Laser |
Shears |
Stamping |
Plasma |
Router |
EDM |
Water Jet |
|
Speed |
Med |
High |
High |
Med |
Med |
Low |
Low |
Flexibility |
High |
Low |
Low |
Low |
Low to Med |
Low |
Low |
Cut Quality |
High |
Med |
Med |
Low |
Med |
High |
Med |
Skill Required |
Low |
Low |
Low |
Med |
Med |
Med |
Med |
Level of Safety |
High |
Low |
Med |
Med |
Low |
High |
Low |
Material Waste |
Low |
Low |
Med |
Med |
Med |
Low |
Med |
Tooling/Fixturing |
None |
Med |
Heavy |
Light |
Med |
Med |
Med |
Ease of |
Easy |
Easy |
Med |
Easy |
Med |
Med |
Med |
Capital Costs |
Med |
Low |
Med |
Low |
Med |
High |
High |
Beam Dynamics machines offer much higher flexibility than shears—anything that can be drawn can be cut with a laser, where shears are generally only suitable for cutting straight lines. BEAM offers a variety of methods for producing high quality edges, whereas shears produce metal parts with sharp edges that can be hazardous and require post-processing. Shears will also dull over time, so parts need to be replaced. Lasers do not have any parts that can wear or dull, so these parts do not have to be replaced and accuracy is maintained throughout the entire cut.
Beam Dynamics laser machines offer their greatest benefits when compared to die cutting. With a laser machine, there are no dies to create, eliminating the cost and wait of die creation. Parts can be easily changed on the computer and can be instantly cut on the laser, allowing tremendous flexibility for small jobs and prototyping. BEAM machines require no fixturing, no alignment of parts for cutting, and complete ability to cut any part of any size or detail. A Beam Dynamics laser machine will not only allow you to expand the work you do, but also allow you to create your current parts more efficiently, with greater precision and less wastage from rejected parts.
Beam Dynamics laser machines offer greater speed, accuracy and edge quality when compared with plasma cutters. Due to the small kerf and high quality finished part, the BEAM machine is ideally suited for mechanical and medical parts. If you are looking to cut thicker metals where high precision is not an issue, than a plasma cutter may be the correct choice for you.
In comparison to using a router, Beam Dynamics offers a machine with great flexibility, lower operating costs and greater precision when it comes to metal cutting. BEAM machines can cut a wide variety of metals that are not advisable to cut with a router, including aluminum, stainless steel and spring steel. Because the laser is non-contact, the costs of cutting are dramatically reduced. There are no tools to purchase, no time spent changing or sharpening tools, and no need for dangerous fixtures. The laser has a .004" - .007" kerf, letting you cut intricate parts that are simply impossible with a router.
EDM offers clear advantages for cutting complex shapes out of thick metals. When comparing a Beam Dynamics laser to EDM, the most important factor is the thickness of the metal you will be cutting. BEAM machines can cut thinner metals very quickly but is not suited for cutting thicker metals.
In comparison to water jets, Beam Dynamics laser machines offer greater speed and precision at lower operating costs when cutting sheet metal. Lasers offer much greater speed and a thinner kerf, leading to greater detail on finished parts. While water jets are capable of cutting much thicker material, they also generally run extremely slowly even on thin sheets. Consumables (garnet), cleanup, and replacement nozzles also push up the operating costs of a water jet compared to a laser. The only consumables for metal cutting with a BEAM machine are electricity and the assist gas (nitrogen or oxygen).
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