b'What WattageHow powerful of a fiber laser does a shop need? A companyproduce more parts per hour and part cost plummets as power should look at the thickness range that makes up 80% of shopgoes up. But this occurs only if a laser cutting machine is quick work. If work is really thin gauge, a 15-kW laser likely is notenough to maximize the power.needed. Operating costs probably will rise as the power level of a fiber Here are general rules for cutting common metals, such aslaser cutting machine goes up. Doubling the power generally steel, stainless steel or aluminum with nitrogen: increases laser operating costs by 20% to 30%. Its very Up to 9 gauge6-kW to 8-kW important for a fiber laser to operate at peak efficiency so part 6.35 mm (0.25") to 19.05 mm (0.75")8-kW to 10-kW cycle time can be decreased to offset higher operating costs. By Over 19.05 mm8-kW to 15-kW decreasing cycle time, a shop can reduce the impact of variable Keep in mind that a shop with a high-powered machine canand fixed costs and increase profitability. Yesenia DuranFiber on Fiber Laser cutting involves low risk,heat-affected zones.little waste and not much cleanup.Waterjet cutting involves more Butwithsomematerials,pro- risk,muchnoisepollutionand While waterjet cutting doesntduceddustandsmokecanbemore cleanup. Also, a cutting area require heat, it applies very highslightly toxic, so proper ventilationbecomes quite messy, with large forces to material. This might resultis essential. Noise pollution also isquantities of cutting waste caused in difficulties for small parts, whichlow with laser cutting, and a ma- by mixing water and abrasives.could become deformed or impos- chine doesnt need much cleaning,Heat-affected zone charring, de-sible to cut. though thermal stress can occur inlamination and epoxy recession It\'s easy to say your tooling solves problems .It\'s harder to prove it. We prove it every day.Stuck on a tough tooling challenge? Let us help.Heimatec isnt just a world leader in live tools, angle heads and multi-spindle drill heads; were your source for problem solving and tooling application expertise.With years of hands-on experience and the most innovative tooling, we are your TOTAL solution source. Platinum Tooling is now the exclusive importer of Heimatec products in North America.16 E. Piper Lane, Ste.128Prospect Heights, IL847-749-0633info@platinumtooling.comwww.platinumtooling.com46JULY 2020Pllatinum Tooling AD5771 (H) Color 1/4 pg CTE 2019LaserMachining.indd 46 6/17/20 10:14 PM'