Cutting services use a variety of cutting methods to fashion materials into predefined shapes or sizes. Services range from simple cut to length jobs to very complex shaping using high precision CNC controlled equipment and part nesting techniques to minimize material waste. Many service providers are able to handle both standard and exotic materials including metals, plastics and thermoplastics, rubber, glass, stone, marble, granite, composites, and foams. Common cutting services include band saw cutting, circular cold saw cutting services, electrical discharge machining (EDM), flame cutting, laser cutting, miter cutting, plasma cutting, tube and pipe cutting, and water jet cutting.
Band saw cutting uses a power saw that consists of an endless toothed steel belt, or band, continuously driven around the circumferences of two pulleys. Other forms of saw based cutting services include circular cold saw cutting in which a power saw consisting of a circular toothed cutting blade rotated at high speed is used, and miter saw cutting, to make beveled or angled cuts.
Electrical discharge machining (EDM) equipment is used to cut conductive materials using a thin electrode. The electrode is a thin wire (typically .004"-.012") that follows a programmed path. The wire does not physically contact the part. It is charged to a certain level and surrounded by de-ionized water. A spark is generated that jumps the gap and melts a small amount of material on the part.
Flame cutting equipment uses an oxygen gas flame to heat metals in preparation for cutting them.
Laser cutting is a CNC controlled, non-contact cutting tool process that allows quick, accurate cutting with a narrow kerf (cutting groove). Laser types include CO2 lasers and Nd:YAG lasers. Laser cutting is a very versatile operation that has short setup times, and can cut a wide range of materials of varying hardness and composition. Some of the advantages of laser cutting are high accuracy, cutting of unlimited and complex shapes, clean cutting that requires little or no finishing and generates a minimum amount of heat, and distortion-free cutting.
In plasma cutting, an area is melted with an arc, and then cut by a high-velocity, high-temperature ionized gas. This cutting style is also referred to as plasma-arc cutting.
Routing cutting services machines have a revolving, high-speed vertical spindle and cutter for milling out the surface or edges of wood, plastic, metal, and other materials.
Tube or pipe cutting is the process of cutting square, rectangular, or round tubing, pipe, and bar stock to the desired length and miter angle.
Water jets and water abrasive jets rely on highly pressurized water (20,000 - 60,000 psi) flowing through a nozzle or "jewel" approximately 0.010" in diameter. Advantages include almost no material heating during cutting, low side loads, and ability to achieve complex shapes and tight inside radii. Low fixturing costs and fast setup and programming times make this process very suitable for prototypes or short runs. It is most widely used for two-dimensional cutting services; three-dimensional machining is possible in specialty applications.
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MultiCam CNC Cutting Solutions
The MultiCam product line includes CNC Routers, Lasers, Plasma, Water Jet, and Knife cutting machines. MultiCam offers a full line of CNC tooling and ...
27-Dec-2005 Hits: 213 Rating: 0.00 Votes: 0
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