Many advertisements for fiber laser tout its ability to cut brass copper and aluminum.
Laser cutting vs waterjet cost.
The accuracy and quality of the cut.
In thickness of 1 4 and less the laser would be the more cost effective option when cutting metals.
It s not possible to say which one is better as each can be more suitable for different materials and applications.
Choosing between laser and waterjet cutting is not as straightforward as it may seem.
Waterjet is usually considered to be the most expensive typically estimated at about 30 hour.
Waterjet cutting vs laser cutting.
Waterjet and laser are typically much more expensive to operate requiring specialist gases and other high cost consumables.
When cutting thin materials with laser very high cutting speeds can be achieved which can help to reduce the cost per part.
With the automatic dual pallet loading system and lights out capability we can ensure quick.
Combined with the speed and precision of cutting waterjet vs.
Laser cutters can cut thick materials but a waterjet machine can cut thicker objects the optimal thickness being 0 4 to 2 0 10 to 50 mm while for laser cutting it is 0 12 to 0 4 3 to 10 mm.
The bottom line the best method to use whether its plasma cutting vs.
Thick and brass less than 0 16 in.
Choosing between laser and waterjet cutting would therefore entirely depend on your specifications.
The cutting stream of a water jet is typically 030 040 in.
The cost of laser would be slightly higher typically estimated at around 20 hour.
The benefit of the laser cutter is its ability to cut thinner material at a far higher rate of speed than the water jet.
Say you have a project that adds up to 15 000 in total cuts.
Waterjet will depend on the quality of the outcome.
Waterjet is both slow and costly to run making it the least productive system to operate.
Waterjet cutting is much slower and much more costly per hour of use.
Laser cutting cost in terms of operation is not even close.
Because these materials are quite soft they are also good candidates for an abrasive waterjet.
Let s do some quick math.
Generally though laser will cut faster on aluminum less than 0 20 in.