If you’ve heard the term laser profiling but aren’t quite sure what it means, the simple answer is: it’s a highly accurate way of cutting shapes and components from sheet metal using a laser.
Here at Devon Laser Profiling, laser profiling is at the heart of what we do. From our workshop in Crediton, Devon, we cut parts from mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium for customers across a wide range of industries.
How does laser profiling work?
It all starts with a drawing. This might be a CAD file supplied by the customer, or something we’ve helped prepare from dimensions, a sketch or an existing part. The laser follows this digital profile, using a concentrated beam to cut through the metal. Because the process is computer controlled, it’s extremely accurate and repeatable – whether we’re producing a single component or a batch of identical parts. Modern fibre laser cutting is quick and efficient, which helps make it cost-effective for everything from one-off jobs to regular production work.
What can be laser profiled?
The short answer is – quite a lot!
We use our laser to produce everything from simple plates and brackets to panels, signs, machine components and intricate artistic ornamental pieces. As well as cutting the outside shape of a part, we can include holes, slots, cut-outs and other details within it. Laser profiling also works particularly well for components that need further fabrication. We can laser cut a part as a flat profile before folding it to the required shape, meaning much of the work can be carried out under one roof here at Devon Laser Profiling.
What are the benefits of laser profiling?
The most obvious advantage is accuracy. Laser cutting allows detailed shapes to be produced cleanly and consistently, without the limitations of many traditional cutting methods.
What many people don’t always associate with laser profiling is the significant cost savings. A typical exmaple would be a steel base plate with a few holes – the labour cost of marking and drilling just one or two of those holes far exceeds the cost of having them cut directly from the plate when it’s on the laser bed.
It’s also very flexible. You don’t necessarily need hundreds of components to make laser cutting worthwhile. At Devon Laser Profiling, we handle everything from one-off parts and prototypes to repeat batches and larger production runs.
Because everything starts with a digital drawing, making changes is relatively straightforward too. If a hole needs moving, a dimension needs adjusting or a design develops over time, the drawing can be updated ready for the next batch.
Is laser profiling the same as laser cutting?
Pretty much. You’ll often hear the two terms used interchangeably.
Laser cutting describes the cutting process itself, while laser profiling generally refers to using that process to produce a particular shape or component from sheet or plate. From a customer’s point of view, though, they essentially mean the same thing.
Looking for laser profiling in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset or Dorset?
If you’ve got a component you need producing, whether it’s a one-off part or something you need on a regular basis, get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to take a look.
If you’ve already got a CAD drawing, send it over. And if you haven’t, just an idea in your head, that’s not necessarily a problem – send us what you’ve got or give us a call and we can talk through what you need.
