Laser Cutting vs. Waterjet Cutting: Where and When To Use Them
When it comes to manufacturing, the choice of cutting process is vital to ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and precision. While laser cutting and waterjet cutting are two prevalent techniques in the industry, that doesn’t make them effective for every application. In this article, we’ll explore how laser cutting and water cutting are used, as well as what applications they’re best suited for.
What Is Laser Cutting?
Laser cutting is a manufacturing process that cuts through different materials of varying thickness using a high-power laser beam. The concentrated beam vaporizes the material, leaving little waste and creating a clean cut. Most laser cutting machines use a CO₂ or fiber laser, often with assist gases like oxygen or nitrogen to improve cutting efficiency. At BSG Inc., our laser cutting machine utilizes both assist gases depending on the type of project.
What Is Waterjet Cutting?
Waterjet cutting is a cold cutting process that cuts through a variety of different materials with a high-pressure stream of water. This stream of water instantly erodes the material, creating a clean line. Some waterjet cutting machines introduce an abrasive (garnet), which mixes with the water to make the cutting process more powerful. Using an abrasive expands the amount of materials that can be cut through with a waterjet.
Advantages & Disadvantages Of Laser Cutting
Advantage: Precision and Accuracy
The laser beam produced in a laser cutting machine is extremely powerful, but also very small and concentrated. This allows the laser to make thin, clean cuts with tight tolerances. Laser cutting is reliable and dependable, making it the cutting process of choice in high-demand industries such as the automotive and medical industries. These industries require the best accuracy to ensure optimal safety and functionality.
At BSG Inc., we have decades of experience working with demanding industries, manufacturing various automotive components and medical devices. We deliver precise, accurate parts, using manufacturing methods that reflect your speed, quality, and budgetary needs. We’ve invested in innovative manufacturing technologies such as a laser cutting machine, plasma cutting machine, and 3D printer to ensure efficient and effective execution with every project we take on. Let us know about your project for a free, no-obligation quote!
Disadvantage: Gases and Fumes
Depending on the material being cut, the extremely high-temperature of the laser can generate gases and fumes that may be harmful to humans. This means the laser cutting process is at risk of being a safety hazard if manufacturers don’t take the necessary precautions.
Advantage: No Material Contamination
A material becomes contaminated when miniscule, unnecessary material fragments are found within the workpiece material. Any foreign substances within the material can affect its quality and functionality, making contamination a particular concern in the manufacturing process. Many cutting processes require a coolant or lubricant, which can contaminate the material. Laser cutting does not require any of these potential contaminants, ensuring there is no risk of contamination during the laser cutting process.
Disadvantage: Incompatible with Thick Metals
Laser cutting machines excel when working with thin sheet metal to create intricate designs or engravings. However, when it comes to metals that are thicker, laser cutting often falls short.
Fortunately, our in-house laser cutting machine is powerful enough to cut through tubes and pipes. This isn’t a common functionality for traditional laser cutting machines, making our innovative Amada laser cutter extremely versatile. Read our blog to learn more!
Advantage: High Material Versatility
Laser cutting machines are capable of cutting a wide variety of common manufacturing materials, including metals like aluminum, carbon, and steel, and non-metals like wood, plastic, and acrylics. This makes it perfect for projects requiring a diverse number of material types.
Laser Cutting Applications
Thanks to its material versatility and high power, laser cutting machines are suited for countless applications across various industries. In the construction industry, laser cutting services are commissioned to cut metal beams and columns used in modern infrastructure, as well as cutting railings, signage, and bridge components. In the oil and gas industry, companies depend on laser cutting services to cut brackets and mounts to support pumps, tank bases, and compressors. Even in the home renovation space, laser cutting can be used to create intricate designs on custom fencing, railings, gazebos, window frames, and much more.
Learn more about laser cutting’s metal fabrication applications.
Advantages & Disadvantages Of Water Jet Cutting
Advantage: No Heat-Affected Zone Risks
Although heat is vital for most metal cutting processes, thermal changes can lead to something we call a “heat-affected zone”. Heat-affected zones occur when a thermal cutting process has caused the material to change its properties. This can change the characteristics of the material in a way that is not ideal, making its reliability questionable. In addition, it causes thermal distortion and warping to the workpiece. However, waterjet cutting is a non-thermal cutting method, meaning the temperature of the material does not change and, therefore, cannot become heat-affected.
Disadvantage: Potential for Material Contamination
Waterjet cutting uses an abrasive to enhance the effectiveness of its cutting. This allows it to cut through thicker, more durable materials like metal. However, this abrasive also has the potential to contaminate the workpiece’s material if not properly managed. Material contamination can alter the material properties, affecting its reliability and dependability.
Advantage: Can Achieve 3D Cuts
Most waterjet cutting systems have the unique ability to cut three-dimensional parts with precise intricacy. The cutting heads can change angles and rotate around the workpiece with ease.
Disadvantage: Natural Speed
Although the addition of an abrasive in the waterjet cutting process can make cuts quicker and more effective, waterjet cutting generally operates slower than laser or plasma cutting. The water stream is simply not as powerful as a laser beam or plasma beam would be in making quick, precise cuts.