In an insightful piece titled “The rapid evolution of modern laser cutting technology” from The Fabricator, the remarkable advancement of laser cutting technology takes center stage.
One of the most striking aspects is the exceptional speed at which these modern machines operate. In stark contrast to CO2 laser cutting machines from just a decade ago, today’s fiber laser cutting machines render the older counterparts painfully slow.
However, speed is only a fraction of the story. Metal fabricators today are investing significantly in new laser cutting capabilities for reasons beyond velocity. Contemporary machines are equipped with automation that surpasses even the top-tier systems of a few years ago, eliminating the need for constant operator intervention.
As the manufacturing landscape adapts to achieving more with fewer resources, technology emerges as a pivotal ally in maintaining efficient production. This holds particularly true for laser cutting. The article highlights how cutting-edge laser technology is transforming modern metal fabrication:
Maximizing Material Utilization: Skyrocketing steel prices, such as the 219% increase observed from January 2020 to August 2021, underscore the importance of efficient material usage. Advanced nesting algorithms embedded in today’s laser cutting machine programming software address this challenge adeptly. Metal fabricators can transition from static nests to dynamic nesting, optimizing material utilization and reducing waste. Intelligent common-line cutting results in more intricate nesting arrangements, contributing to significant material savings.
Eliminating Manual Intervention: Contrasting the past, where laser operators were heavily engaged in manual tasks, today’s laser cutting technology has minimized the need for constant manual intervention. The objective is to empower operators to swiftly familiarize themselves with the equipment. The article highlights the shift from labor-intensive setups to more streamlined processes that enable faster adaptation.
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Photo and article with all rights reserved, courtesy of thefabricator.com
