Flatbed lasers, matched to your production.
Start with the parts you make and the work holding production back. We can compare cutting capability, edge quality, handling and investment around your everyday workload, including the requirements you are still working out.
Every question is optional. Share what you know, or call Tom at any point.
Questions that help us compare options
Sheet & part size
What is your largest sheet or finished part?
Examples
Nominal 5' x 10'; 6' x 12'; extended 2.5 x 6 m or 2.5 x 8 m formats; larger/custom.
Why it matters
Stock acceptance, usable cutting area, pallet weight and the complete installation footprint need separate checks.
Materials & thickness
What do you cut most often?
Examples
Mild steel; stainless steel; aluminum; another material. Add usual thicknesses and the occasional maximum.
Why it matters
We should compare everyday production before sizing the investment around a rare thick-part job.
The finished result
What must the part be ready for?
Examples
Bending; welding; coating; assembly; machining. Tell Tom about small features, dimensions, burrs or edge appearance.
Why it matters
Your next operation helps define acceptable accuracy, repeatability, oxide condition and finishing work.
Output & flexibility
Where does production slow down?
Examples
Cutting; loading; sorting; material changes; programming; downstream work. Add batches, shifts or output targets if known.
Why it matters
Laser power and headline speed alone do not tell us how many usable parts reach the next operation.
Handling & automation
How much operator involvement suits your work?
Examples
Assisted loading; automatic load/unload; sorting/stacking; storage; extended unattended running; help deciding.
Why it matters
The handling system must suit your stock, part shapes and production mix, including how interruptions are managed.
Space & investment
What do we need to plan around?
Examples
Available space; access; stock movement; power; gas; extraction; timing; optional budget. New or reconditioned, if available.
Why it matters
We can compare complete installed requirements and check existing-machine compatibility before selecting a package.
Options worth discussing: efficient thin-sheet production, consistent edge quality, material position checking and reliable part handling. Each needs to be matched to the actual application and configuration.
More detail, if you want it…
How much laser power do we need?
Power is one part of the decision. A lower-power system may suit a workload where its process capability and output meet the requirement; higher power may offer different productivity or thickness options. We need the material grade, actual thickness, gas, geometry and acceptable edge result before comparing specific power levels. A maximum-thickness claim is not a production-speed recommendation.
Why does assist gas matter?
Nitrogen fusion cutting ejects molten material without using oxygen to support the cut, helping avoid an oxidized edge. Oxygen-assisted cutting adds reaction energy, but edge oxide can matter to later operations. The suitable approach depends on the material and result. We can compare the full process, including gas supply and any cleanup, using representative parts.
Will faster cutting increase our output?
It depends on the rest of the cycle. If loading, sorting or the next operation is already limiting production, faster cutting may leave the machine waiting. We can review programming, loading, cutting, pallet exchange, part removal and interruptions together. Where operations overlap, we compare the limiting cycle rather than adding the same time twice.
What will we test?
Select representative parts from your usual workload and any important exceptions. Agree dimensional and edge requirements, record the material and gas, and compare accepted parts, cycle assumptions, handling and downstream work. Exact 4 kW-versus-12 kW thickness guidance should follow verified configuration data or an application study, not a universal calculator.
Useful information, if you have it:
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Material and usual thickness
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Largest sheet or part
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Required result
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Current bottleneck
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Timing
A drawing or part photo is helpful, but you can start without one.