Laser cut plates

34046 - Have you checked with Malcolm what excess - if any - he requires to be added to your required dimensions? He's done several laser-cut items from my CAD dwgs and he's queried some of my dimensions thankfully !

The laser-cut edges from the company he used for my items were "rough" and hard. They needed draw filing smooth with a diamond file, I accept that techniques may have moved on in the last couple of years but a small dimensional excess was incorporated to allow for the smoothing-off.

If you find a laser cutting company that cuts a lot of stainless steel they wil use a purge gas and the edges will be clean with no oxide.

Steve

My two-pennyworth on this subject is that if you want parts cut nice and accurately by CNC you really need to get to grips with CAD drawing, either by your own ability (a CAD literate Engineer) or via trusted CAD Jockey who can turn your sketch into a digital drawing. Which is how the professionals do it.

If you have a CAD drawing then print it, that is your dummy run and check it for fit, suitability or whatever.

Next important thing is to speak to your intended supplier for their input on what can be achieved and what limitations may effect the end product. In this Malcolm at MEL is excellent, especially for us as he is a model Engineer.

Finally the cost of the parts is generally low, little more than the material price with no wastage. So if unsure have it cut in thin material. But fundamentally if you drawing is correct so will the part.

I think if you look imaginatively at the components you may make them quite differently with CAD/CNC in your armoury.

Edited By Bruno Taylor on 04/08/2019 21:50:28