The Lowdown on Laser Cutting

Laser cutting is one of many manufacturing capabilities offered by Marian. Laser cutting is a technology that uses a laser beam to cut or etch the shape of a specific design. Laser cutting utilizes CNC (computer numerical control) and/or laser optics to precisely control the pattern being cut in the material.

Rapid Production

There are no tooling requirements or costs for laser cutting. We can utilize a CAD file (.dxf) to produce parts very quickly. If materials are in stock, we can produce parts within 24 hours. This can be very helpful during the prototype and design phases. We can utilize the laser the create small volumes of parts for testing and evaluation.  

Reel-to-Reel Laser Cutting

Additionally, materials can be processed by the laser along with rotary technology pulling the material through at a controlled pace in order to create precise at a faster pace.  Laser-cut can be provided on a roll which offers assembly and manufacturing advantages to the customer. See the video below.  

The Pros and Cons of Laser Cutting

Pros

• Highly beneficial for parts that require a very high edge surface finish, and tight tolerances.
• Ideal for small, intricate, and complex geometries
• During the design phase, the laser is often used to create rapid prototypes without any tooling costs passed onto the customer.
• Parts can be produced very quickly! 

CONS

• Slower throughput for high volume parts vs. other methods (ie: rotary die cutting)
• There are some materials that are not well-suited for laser cutting. Some can discolor or emit gasses when burned. 
  
  

Marian has many years of experience laser cutting custom parts. We are constantly improving our manufacturing techniques in order to create the highest quality parts. Please contact us for a prototype or to discuss your project.