Sheet metal can be worked with and cut using various methods, but most often, a computer numerical control, or CNC, machine is used. There is more than one type of CNC sheet metal-cutting machine; in fact, there are four: punch presses, water jet machines, laser cutting machines, and plasma cutting machines. The machines that use lasers usually use red or infrared lasers, but newer ones use blue lasers, which are so good they can even cut through metals such as copper and aluminum.
What Makes the Plasma Machines So Unique?
A high-quality plasma sheet metal-cutting machine is one of the four types of CNC machines, and it uses an electrical arc to cut the metal, sort of like the arc that is used in the welding profession. The main difference is that with plasma machines, high temperatures are involved that melt and then remove the metal. Plasma cutters are similar in looks to water jet machines, and they are able to cut through plates and sheets that are very thick. Their disadvantage, however, is the difficulty in cleaning up afterward, thanks to poor edge quality.
At the Beginning
When it comes to fabricated projects, sheet metal is where it all starts, which is why the right cutting machine is so important. The right CNC sheet metal-cutting machine can take the metal and punch, shear, melt, or abrade it so that the pieces can then be correctly formed and sometimes even welded before they’re coated. There are actually more types of CNC machines, but when it comes to cutting sheet metal, these are the main ones.
