 |
BEAM Laser |
Router |
Saws |
Knife Cutter |
Die Cutter |
Water Jet |
|
Speed |
High |
Med |
High |
High |
High |
Low |
Flexibility |
High |
Low |
Low |
Low |
Low |
Low |
Cut Quality* |
High |
Med |
Poor |
N/A |
N/A |
Poor |
Skill Required |
Low |
Med |
Low |
Med |
Med |
High |
Level of Safety |
High |
Low |
Low |
Med |
Med |
Low |
Material Waste |
Low |
High |
High |
Low |
Med |
Med |
Tooling/Fixturing |
None |
Heavy |
Med to Heavy |
Med |
Med to Heavy |
Med |
Ease of |
Easy |
Easy to Med |
Easy to Med |
Easy to Med |
Med |
Med |
Capital Costs |
High |
Med |
Low to Med |
Low to Med |
Med |
Med to High |
*Example: Acrylic
In comparison to using a router, Beam Dynamics offers a machine with great flexibility, lower operating costs and greater precision when it comes to plastic cutting. 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.
Beam Dynamics laser machines offer a wide range of benefits when compared to saws. You do not have to worry about material hold-down because of the powerful vacuum cutting bed. BEAM machines do not have any parts that can wear or dull, so they do not have to be replaced and accuracy is maintained throughout the entire cut. A laser is much more flexible, allowing you to perform all types of cuts on any applicable material with just one machine. A laser can also easily cut hard plastics with adhesive backs that gum-up saw blades. The laser also has a .004" - .007" kerf, letting you cut intricate parts that are simply impossible with a saw.
When compared to knife cutters, BEAM is much more flexible and precise. You do not have to worry about material hold-down because of the powerful vacuum cutting bed. BEAM machines do not have any parts that can wear or dull, so they do not have to be replaced and accuracy is maintained throughout the entire cut. A laser allows you to perform all types of cuts on any applicable material with just one machine. While a knife can only cut thin and pliable plastics, a laser can easily cut hard, thick plastics, even those with adhesive backs that gum-up knife cutters.
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.
In comparison to water jets, Beam Dynamics laser machines offer greater speed and precision at lower operating costs when cutting plastics. 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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