Specialty Cutting Machines

Specialty cutting machines are specialized or proprietary products and accessories for cutting metal and other materials. Metal material can be removed at different speeds based on three parameters: surface speed, the rate at which the metal contacts the machine tool; feed rate, the rate that the cutting point moves across the stock; and cut depth, how much material is being removed.

Specialty cutting machines are used with many different metal cutting processes. Several of the most common cutting processes involve shearing, laser cutting, and plasma cutting. Shearing cuts metal to size from a sheet of larger stock. Shears are specialized cutting tools that are often used as the first step to prepare metal for other metal forming processes. Laser cutting and plasma cutting are two similar types of metal cutting processes. Laser cutting machines are specialty cutting machines that can create complex, custom parts with consistent, high-accuracy cuts. Cutting designs are drawn on a computer and fed to laser specialty cutting machines. The small diameter of the laser beam (generally 0.2 mm) cuts into the metal surface at a power of 1000-2000 W. Laser cutting machines also allow for complex turns, patterns, or small holes to be cut into the metal.

Plasma specialty cutting machines use high velocity jets of gas (plasma) to conduct electricity from the torch of the plasma cutter to the metal blank. The plasma heads the blank and melts the material with the desired shape or pattern. Plasma cutting specialty cutting machines are relatively easy to use, allow for faster cutting speeds, and produce high-quality cuts. A specialty cutting machine and specialized cutting tools can also be used for cutting plastic materials.

Specialty cutting machines and metal cutting processes are used to increase efficiency and reduce costs in many different manufacturing industries. Laser cutting systems are used for cutting plastic films, paper, cardboard, abrasives, and adhesive materials. Plasma cutting systems are used to cut types of conductive metal that range from mild steel to aluminum.

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