A Passion For Products
May/June, 2011
Laser Cutting
Lasers Offer a Real Alternative to High-volume Blanking
With the addition of coil feeding, laser cutting takes a strong shot at a bastion of hard-tooled blanking: cutting automotive body-panel blanks from advanced high-strength steels.
New Features for Tube Cutting Lasers Enhance Capabilities
May/June, 2011
Lasing Reflective Metals
Some of the most popular metal materials also have an inherent problem.
Part II of CO2 Lasers: Still in the Game
May/June, 2011
Direct Diodes Get Cutting
Advances in diode laser technology have led to a broader range of cutting options.
CO2 Versus Fiber Laser: Cost to Cut a Part
Editor’s Note: Don Hoffman has decades of experience with laser cutters and brings to the table a combination of independence, research skills, and thoughtful analysis. Here he tackles a moving target, with appropriate care and cautions, to write a useful guide to the relative per-part costs with CO2 and fiber lasers.
Laser Maintenance – Should You Mix and Match
July/Aug, 2011
Lessons in diversification
Robinson Metal takes to heart the old adage about not keeping too many eggs in one basket
Wavelength Dependency in High Power Laser Cutting
Relative speeds and costs dominate the fiber-versus-CO2 comparison, but the 10:1 difference in wavelengths has other consequences for the laser user. The speed race has evolved since this story was first published in a laser association journal, but not the practical issues related to wavelength. Also, it addressed 3D laser cutting; the principles still hold for 2D. Consider this essential background for anyone who wants to understand more about using fiber and CO2. For the latest on speeds, as they say in the car business, call for today’s prices.
