Metal fabrication refers to the entire range of manufacturing techniques that are used to turn metal material into useable components or finished products. Metal cutting is one of the vitally important metal fabrication techniques used in the manufacturing industry. It involves cutting metal workpieces into smaller sections or removing a layer of unwanted material from the workpieces to achieve a particular shape.

Metal cutting for manufacturing applications has come a long way. Modern metal cutting methods are designed to create the high volume of precise cuts that any modern metal fabrication shop requires to meet the needs of its customers.

Check out some of the new, cutting-edge metal cutting techniques that are increasingly gaining popularity as suitable alternatives to traditional cutting methods. 

Laser Cutting 

No doubt, laser cutting has really made its mark in the modern metal manufacturing world, and why not? This metal cutting method involves using a powerful laser beam to deliver accurate cuts.

Thanks to the incredible speed at which it delivers precise cuts, laser cutting makes it possible for metal fabricators to fulfill customer orders on time. Plus, the precision of laser cutters minimises material distortion, meaning less metal material gets wasted.  

Another reason metal fabrication companies love using the laser cutting technique is that laser cutters can cut just about any metal material with tight tolerance, which is necessary to ensure the production of high-performance parts or products.

Waterjet Cutting

For metal fabricators looking for a truly versatile cutting technique, waterjet cutting is the perfect solution. Unlike cutting methods that rely on the application of heat, waterjet cutting involves using streams of abrasive water ejected at high pressure to cut through a workpiece. The jets of water can be aimed in any direction, making this cold-cutting method ideal for cutting workpieces into intricate shapes.

Waterjet cutting eliminates the risk of material distortion, which may occur when workpieces are subjected to extreme heat. It is ideal for cutting metal materials, such as sheet metal, which may not be thick enough to withstand extreme heat.

Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM)

This cutting technique neither relies on the use of a high-powered laser beam nor a high-pressure stream of water to cut metal material. As its name suggests, it relies on electricity!

So how does electrical discharge cutting work? This metal cutting technique takes advantage of the fact that metal materials are good conductors of electricity. Here, a thin brass or copper wire is fed through the workpiece, with both the wire and workpiece immersed in a dielectric liquid.

Serving as an electrode, the wire discharges a high-frequency electrical spark to the electrically conductive workpiece, cutting it in the process.

New metal fabrication techniques are constantly emerging to meet the demands of the manufacturing industry better. Be on the lookout for these to ensure you don't miss out on the benefits and features they have to offer.

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