Aluminum is a widely used material in many industries. Professionals require precision cuts for their aluminum materials and it can be difficult to pinpoint which industrial cutting method can best be applied.
Consider the various uses of aluminum and how length and precise size play a key role. Rain gutters, aerospace engineering and art designs all require high precision cuts. There really is no limit to the world's application of aluminum, increasing the necessity of quality aluminum cutting methods.
There are two industrial cutting methods that can be effectively applied to aluminum. Plasma cutting and water jet cutting are both capable of rendering smooth edges to aluminum plate.
What is Plasma Cutting?
Plasma cutting uses plasma in its fourth state of matter, an ionized gas. By electrically charging this gas, a plasma arc is created and can be applied to heavy-duty materials such as aluminum to achieve precision cuts.
Plasma cutting is specifically used on materials that are electrically conductive, as the gas and electricity work with the material and together, accurate cuts are achieved. Aside from aluminum, materials such as copper and stainless steel are also effectively cut using plasma gas.
Benefits of selecting plasma cutting are that the aluminum will not melt, warp or become distorted. Plasma cutting will produce fine edges and cuts to aluminum, ensuring that material is not wasted due to thermal stress.
Plasma cutting is also capable of piercing or gouging aluminum and can achieve high accuracy levels.
Water Jet Cutting
Water jet cutting also offers many benefits when it comes to cutting aluminum that traditional industrial cutting methods are not capable of. Sawing methods will leave jagged and sharp edges, making the material useless for many purposes. Water jet cutting will slice through aluminum with speed, accuracy and precision.
Water jet cutting combines a mixture of water with an abrasive substance, such as sand or garnet with high air pressure and intense velocity to achieve a powerful jet stream that can cut through a wide range of materials. Aside from aluminum, water jet cutting is capable of cutting the following materials:
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Steel
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Stone
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Marble
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Granite
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Plastic
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Rubber
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Brass
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Glass
Water jet cutting uses a multi-axis and is incredibly flexible so it can create intricate designs and shapes that other cutting methods cannot. Designs are programmed into a computer and are achieved through the use of a robotic arm.
Some professionals choose to cut their aluminum using water jet cutting, as it is a clean and quick process. There is minimal clean up required and there is no hazardous waste to dispose of after the job is done. In fact, water jet cutting is currently considered the most green-friendly industrial cutting method as the abrasive substance and water mixture can be used more than once and nothing ends up in a landfill after the process.
For aluminum cutting, both plasma cutting and water jet cutting are highly recommended techniques. Both offer precise results with minimal wasted materials.