What Techniques Are Used to Cut Sheet Metal Parts?

‌Common technologies for cutting sheet metal parts include grinding wheel cutting, flame cutting, saw cutting, plasma cutting, laser cutting and water jet cutting‌. 

These technologies have their own advantages and disadvantages and are suitable for different application scenarios and material types.

Grinding wheel cutting‌: It uses high-speed rotating grinding wheels to cut steel. It is light and flexible, suitable for use in construction sites and interior decoration. It is mainly used to cut small diameter square tubes, round tubes, etc.

‌Flame cutting (gas cutting)‌: It uses the high temperature of gas and oxygen combustion to melt metal. It is suitable for cutting carbon steel, but not suitable for cutting stainless steel, copper and aluminum. The cutting surface is rough and has a heat-affected zone.

‌Saw cutting‌: Use a saw blade to cut a narrow groove into the workpiece for segmentation. It is suitable for cutting various metal materials. It is necessary to select a suitable saw blade and adjust the cutting speed according to the hardness of the material.

‌Plasma cutting‌: The high-temperature plasma arc is used to partially melt the metal and remove the molten metal to form an incision. It is suitable for cutting materials with a thickness of less than 100mm. It has a fast speed and a smooth cutting surface.

‌Laser cutting‌: uses a high-energy laser beam to heat, melt, and vaporize metal. It is suitable for efficient and precise cutting of thin steel plates. It has fast cutting speed and high precision, but the equipment cost is high.

‌Water jet cutting‌: uses high-pressure water jets to cut metal. It is suitable for cutting any material and complex curves. It generates less heat during the cutting process.

When choosing the right cutting technology, factors such as material type, thickness, precision requirements, and cost need to be considered. For example, laser cutting is a better choice for high-precision cutting of thin steel plates; while plasma cutting is more suitable for fast cutting of thick steel plates.