Plasma Cutting vs. Laser Cutting

Modern cutting methods allow manufacturers to improve the accuracy of their metal and plastic products. As a result, better and more precise quality parts are produced without compromising productivity. These accurate cutting methods also achieve increased efficiency and reduced production costs.

Laser and plasma cutting are two of today’s most popular cutting methods, offering distinct advantages and disadvantages for different industries. This article provides a detailed comparison of plasma cutting vs. laser cutting and their value in today’s manufacturing industries.

Differences Between Plasma Cutting vs. Laser Cutting

Both plasma and laser cutting are advantageous and feature unique applications for various manufacturing needs. Let’s look into their differences in a few aspects:

Cutting Thickness

The thickness of the metal sheet is crucial in determining the efficiency of the cutting process compared to other methods. For laser cutting, the maximum thickness for cutting metals ranges from 20 mm to 25 mm for mild steel. However, thicker sheets may require high-powered CO2 lasers to achieve efficient and precise cuts.

On the contrary, plasma cutting is ideal when dealing with thicker cutting requirements. Specifically, handheld plasma cutters offer excellent capabilities for cutting through steel plates up to 38 mm thick. For even more robust cutting needs, powerful automated machines can effectively cut through materials as thick as 150 mm.

Speed

Laser cutting is an accurate, reliable, and notably faster technique compared to others, particularly when intricate cuts are required. Nonetheless, plasma cutters excel at generating high temperatures, allowing them to swiftly slice through materials. Their speed surpasses oxy or waterjet cutting, making plasma cutting a preferred choice for efficient metal fabrication.

Accuracy

Laser cutting is renowned for its exceptional precision. It enables dimensional accuracy, with tolerances as tight as less than 0.005”. Moreover, it allows for narrow cut widths, reaching as thin as less than 0.003”. This results in clean and precise cuts for intricate designs.

Plasma cutters excel at delivering clean cuts in steel sheets, offering a tolerance of approximately +/- 0.01” to 0.03”. However, as the material thickness increases, the precision of the cut may slightly decrease due to the plasma’s attempt to melt through a larger volume of material. This can lead to minimal slag formation.

Plasma Cutting Advantages

The plasma cutter is one of the most specialized and widely used equipments for quick and easy cutting. It is a versatile device that offers the following advantages:

Versatility

Different kinds of metal can be cut with plasma. Likewise, any conductive metal — including steel, iron, copper, brass, aluminum, stainless steel, and other hard materials — can be cut using an electric arc. Plasma may also cut objects stacked on top of one another.

Portability and Ease of Use

Plasma cutters’ portability and ease of use make them highly practical and convenient tools for various applications. Due to their compact design and lightweight nature, plasma cutters can also be easily transported to different job sites.

Cost-Effectiveness

Plasma cutting is a cost-effective process with faster cutting speeds and minimal waste. This translates to lower consumer costs, making it more economical than other cutting techniques.

Precision Cuts

Plasma cutters excel in achieving precise and accurate cuts, particularly when working with sheet metal and intricate shapes. However, it does require skilled operators with steady hands to ensure optimal results.

Laser Cutting Advantages

Laser cutting is one of the go-to manufacturing technologies of today. It offers the same benefits as plasma cutting, including versatility, ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and precision cuts. Aside from that, it also provides the following advantages:

Flexibility

When using a laser cutter, switching out equipment between cuts is unnecessary. Several forms can be cut out of the same material thickness with the same configurations, including intricate cuts.

Tight Tolerances

One of the main benefits of laser cutting over other thermal cutting techniques is accuracy. With a +/-0.1 mm accuracy, great precision can be attained without post-treatment. Such a high quality typically negates the need for different tolerances.

Automation

Laser cutting can be highly automated, minimizing the need for manual labor. While an experienced operator contributes to the final product’s quality, the speed and efficiency of laser-cutting automation result in cost savings.

Exceptional Laser Cutting Solutions From Metal Works of High Point

Metal Works of High Point is committed to helping clients reduce manufacturing costs without compromising quality. Our metal laser cutting services increase fabrication process efficiency and lower production costs.

With 3-axis laser cutting systems and experienced professionals on our team, we can handle all your custom laser cutting requirements. Additionally, our system is capable of 24-hour metal-cutting operations for guaranteed efficiency.

Contact us for more information on our metal laser cutting services.

Top 7 Applications of Laser Cut Metal

Laser cutting is a manufacturing process that offers higher cutting accuracy, cleaner cut edges, and faster production speeds than many other metalworking methods. For these reasons, among others, it finds use within a wide range of industries. Below, we highlight seven of the top industry applications for laser cut metal parts and products. 

Appliances

In the appliances industry, metal components are incorporated into many consumer products, such as battery terminals in smoke detectors, brackets in garage door opens, timer terminals in washers, and valve caps in extinguishers. These pieces can be made through various methods, but laser cutting is often the ideal solution. It reduces the risk of the products experiencing mechanical deformation, eliminates the need to replace tooling when it is worn, easily accommodates designs for different products, and decreases the need for post-processing to produce appliance pieces that are ready for assembly. 

Automotive

In the automotive industry, manufacturers use a variety of metal components to produce vehicles. Since automobiles are generally produced in high volumes to meet demand, these metal components need to be produced accurately, precisely, and quickly. The laser cutting process offers both of these qualities, which is why it is used to make metal pieces for the car structure, body, interior, and electronic systems. 

Contract Furniture

In the contract furniture industry, metal components are essential for the production of durable furniture pieces. Brackets, connector plates, drawer inserts, and more help furniture remain sturdy and work as intended. They are incorporated into everything from chairs and tables to desks and cabinets. By using laser cutting to produce these components, contract furniture companies can ensure they fit properly. The process can also be utilized to create uniquely designed furniture pieces.

Die, Mold, and Tool

In the die, mold, and tool industry, laser cutting is used to make metal components for a range of tools and tooling, from hammers and spades to dies and molds. The components can be made from different materials to suit different applications and price points, such as aluminum, mild steel, and stainless steel. The process enables them to be produced quickly without sacrificing accuracy or precision. 

Telecommunications

In the telecommunications industry, companies utilize laser cutting to produce a variety of metal components for telecommunications systems and networks. Typical laser cut pieces include mounts and mounting brackets, chassis, cabinets, enclosures, racks, and panels.

Transportation

In the transportation industry, the laser cutting process is employed in the production of components for various transportation vehicles, including airplanes, buses, trains, and ships. Examples of common laser cut parts and products used in this industry include brackets, instrument panels, and wheel hubs. 

Power Generation

In the power generation industry, metal components are found in everything from solar arrays to wind turbines to power plants. Typical components made using the laser cutting process include battery enclosures, panel brackets, and power supply covers. 

Custom Laser Cut Metal Solutions From Metal Works of High Point

Want to learn more about laser cutting and how it is utilized in different industries? Ask the experts at Metal Works of High Point! Our team has hundreds of years of combined experience providing metal fabrication solutions, including metal laser cutting, to customers across a wide range of industries. We would be happy to answer or address any questions or concerns you may have about the process and its applications. If you’d like to partner with us on your next project, request a quote.