16January

Advantages of laser cutting compared to traditional cutting techniques

A modern solution for precise and efficient material processing

In modern manufacturing, choosing the right cutting technology is crucial for efficiency, quality and cost-effectiveness. Laser cutting, CNC milling and waterjet cutting are three established processes that each offer their own advantages. This article highlights the particular advantages of laser cutting compared to the traditional cutting techniques of CNC milling and waterjet cutting and shows why laser cutting has proven to be superior in many areas.

What is laser cutting?

Laser cutting is a non-contact process in which a focused laser beam is used to cut materials with high precision. The laser beam is strongly bundled by a focusing lens, which melts, vaporizes or burns material at the cutting point. Typical materials that are processed with laser cutters are metal, wood, acrylic, textiles and many more.

Precision and accuracy

One of the most outstanding advantages of laser cutting is its exceptional precision. The laser beam can cut fine details and complex geometries that are difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional techniques. This is particularly important in applications that require the highest accuracy, such as in electronics or medical technology. While CNC milling can also be precise, it is often less flexible when it comes to processing complex shapes. With waterjet cutting, certain materials can be slightly blurred, which is avoided with laser cutting.

Advantages in detail:

Tightest tolerances and finest details: Laser cutting enables cuts with very tight tolerances that hardly require any post-processing, even for high-precision applications.
Smoother cut edges without post-processing: The concentrated energy of the laser produces smooth cut edges that require no additional post-processing. This saves time and costs.
Less material deformation due to minimal heat influence: The low heat influence zone of the laser cutter minimizes the deformation of the material, which is particularly advantageous for thermally sensitive materials.

Speed and efficiency

Laser cutting offers a remarkable cutting speed that is often higher than traditional techniques. This leads to a significant increase in productivity and a reduction in processing times. While waterjet cutting is also precise, it is often slower, especially with thicker materials. CNC milling requires more time and careful programming for complex geometries and fine details.

Advantages in detail:

Faster processing times: The high speed of the laser reduces the time it takes to cut, which increases production efficiency.
Higher productivity and throughput: Companies can increase their production capacity with fast laser cutting and process more orders in less time.
Efficient use of materials thanks to narrow kerfs: The precision of the laser makes it possible to use materials more efficiently, as the narrow kerfs produce less waste.

Versatility and flexibility

Laser cutting can process a wide range of materials and material thicknesses, from metals and plastics to wood and composites. This versatility makes it an attractive choice for various industries. CNC milling and waterjet cutting are also versatile, but often limited by the type of tools and water consumption.

Advantages in detail:

Processing a wide range of materials: laser cutters can precisely cut materials such as steel, aluminum, plastic, wood and even some types of glass.
Flexible adjustment to different material thicknesses: The laser can easily cut through thin films to thick sheets by simply adjusting the settings.
Possibility to realize complicated and individual designs: Due to the high precision and flexibility of the laser, even the most complex designs and customer-specific requirements can be implemented.

Processing thick materials

While laser cutting is particularly efficient for thin and medium-thick materials, waterjet cutting can offer advantages for very thick materials. CNC milling, on the other hand, can also be effective with thick and hard materials, but often requires longer processing times. Laser cutting can also process thick materials with high precision, but its efficiency depends heavily on the power of the laser.

Advantages in detail:

Efficient processing of thin and medium-thickness materials: laser cutters are ideal for materials up to a certain thickness, where they can make full use of their precision and speed.
High precision even with thicker materials: Even with thicker materials, the laser can make precise cuts while maintaining the integrity of the material.
Minimal thermal stress on the material: The low thermal impact ensures that even thick materials are not excessively deformed or damaged.

Environmental and cost aspects

Laser cutting is often more energy efficient and produces less waste compared to traditional techniques. It does not require additional tools that wear out and need to be replaced, as is the case with CNC milling. Waterjet cutting consumes large amounts of water and abrasives, which can cause additional costs and environmental impact. However, the operating costs of a laser cutter can vary depending on the application and material.

Advantages in detail:

Lower operating costs: laser cutting systems require less maintenance and wearing parts compared to waterjet or CNC milling systems.
Less material waste: Thanks to the high precision of the laser, less waste is left over, which increases material efficiency and reduces costs.
No additional tool costs: As the laser beam is the cutting tool and does not wear out, there are no costs for replacement tools.
No chemical waste materials: Unlike processes using abrasive agents, no problematic waste materials are produced.
High automation options: Laser cutting can be excellently integrated into automated manufacturing processes, which further increases productivity.
Versatility: A laser can be used to process a wide variety of materials and geometries, which can eliminate the need to invest in multiple machines.

Laser cutting offers a number of advantages over traditional cutting techniques such as CNC milling and waterjet cutting, including greater precision, faster processing times, greater versatility and reduced environmental impact. These advantages make it a preferred method in many industrial applications and contribute to the efficiency and quality of manufacturing processes. Companies that invest in modern laser cutting technology can benefit significantly from these advantages and improve their competitiveness in an increasingly demanding market.