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All ServicesLASER CUTTING SERVICES
We have over 55 years of industry experience and in that time have built strong working relationships with leading laser cutting providers. Our laser cutting service was created to offer customers precision cutting on materials thicker than 1.5mm whilst maintaining the same standards and quality control as our in-house etching services.
We offer precision laser cutting, that can offer a tolerance of +/- 0.25mm for precise applications. As part of our laser cutting service, we will manage every aspect of the supply chain for you, providing full traceability and quality control throughout the process.
For more information on how we can reduce your costs & improve lead time contact our dedicated account managers on 01480 226699 or email enquiries@photofab.co.uk.
What is Metal Laser Cutting?
The process works by directing the output of a high-power laser through the metal, which will either burn, melt or be blown away by a jet of gas, leaving the edge with a high-quality surface finish. Laser cutting is ideal for high-precision, low volume jobs that are particularly complex.
Up to 22mm, laser cutting is by far the favoured method for thicker metals and provides great accuracy on a large range of metals. This can be highly cost effective and offers short lead-times, perfect for lower volume production over 1.5mm thick.
Laser Cut Steel
Working with steel needs a level of care and attention that is closely monitored by us. Our steel laser cutting can cater for both stainless steel and mild steel. You can expect excellent cut quality and a level of precision that allows for a high level of detail. Whatever your application, we can manage steel laser cutting for your business. Choosing us for your steel laser cutting provides you with a dedicated personal account manager who handles every aspect of your order and is always on hand to provide customer support.
Laser Cut Aluminium
Aluminium is one of the most challenging metals for laser cutting. This is because it is very reflective, which can lead to rough edges or ridges forming on the piece, known as a burr. Fortunately, we and our partners have the knowledge and experience to produce excellent laser cutting results on aluminium, partly in thanks to our excellent finishing facilities which minimises burrs on the material. We can offer a complete laser cutting service for aluminium products, with supply chain management from start to finish. With a dedicated account manager and quality control checks in place, we are the company to chooseto produce your laser cut aluminium parts.
We can also provide laser cutting on various other specialist metals, including:
Copper Laser Cutting
Brass Laser Cutting
Titanium Laser Cutting
Nickel Laser Cutting
Molybdenum Laser Cutting
Silver Laser Cutting
Phosphor Bronze Laser Cutting
Tantalum Laser Cutting
Other metals are available on request – get in touch with us on 01480 226699 to discuss your laser cutting needs and a dedicated expert will be on-hand to find the best solution for your business.
Where Laser Cutting Beats Mechanical Cutting
There are two key advantages of using laser cutting over mechanical cutting.
1. Consistency
There is no wear on the lasers reducing their capability over time. There is also a reduced chance of warping the material that is being cut, as laser systems have a smaller heat affected zone. Some materials are also very difficult or impossible to cut by more traditional means, leaving laser cutting as the favoured option to achieve the best results.
2. Lack of physical contact
Meaning no cross-material contamination can take place.
Does Laser Cutting Affect Material Properties?
Due to its very small area of contact, laser cutting generally has minimal effects on the properties of the materials being cut. Chemical properties of the material are completely unchanged. However, some properties may change due to the very high temperature of the laser beam.
For example, the hardness of the material may be affected, although this is limited to the narrow zone that is in contact with the laser. The grain size of the material may also change – this may be relevant to your application. To discuss whether laser cutting is the right process for your application, get in touch with us and one of our experts would love to discuss it with you.
Why use our Laser Cutting Service?
We have been in the metal working industry for over 55 years. We are verified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 – meaning you can rely on us to deliver outstanding quality whatever the service you require.
We have a proven track record of delivering first-class laser cutting for its customers through its management of laser cutting providers. With Photofab handling the supply chain for you your laser cutting will undergo the same strict quality process as our in-house production.
Knowledge and experience in the program preparation enables us to maximise the use of raw materials by tessellating components or putting one inside another. This reduces both waste and cost for your business.
We are partnered with laser-cutting specialists. We can offer it as a value-added service, completely handled by ourselves. With state-of-the-art equipment and finishing facilities to remove sharp edges and burrs we can offer high quality and cost-effective solutions.
You can expect the same great quality and service we provide across our entire range. Our laser cutting partners have worked closely with us for many years to deliver quality for our customers. We personally check every order and ensure it meets our meticulous standards.
Through our expert partners, we can offer laser cutting services in addition to chemical etching. Therefore, providing complete manufacturing capabilities for all your requirements on metal thickness and tolerance.
Our range of additional processes means we can offer flat, formed, heat treated, and plated parts – a full service! Nobody is better placed to provide metal components for your business.
DEDICATED engineering
We understand the importance of skilled engineering when designing components and putting them into production. Therefore, we have heavily invested in a dedicated secondary engineering unit, the aim of this is to offer an even greater service and flexibility to our customers.
Originally set up to provide an in-house solution to support the etching division, it has proven so popular with our customers that we are now offering toolroom, forming and finishing as stand-alone services. This means our customers now have access to a new level of flexibility – enjoying the convenience of full-service manufacture or pick and choose services to suit them. It truly is a complete service.
We continue to offer cutting-edge services and outstanding lead times, and we can do so because of continuous investment in our people and our processes, leading to class-leading output and lead times – including our rapid 24 hour turnaround service.
The benefits of
working with us
We are world leaders in the development of photochemical technology to produce intricately shaped components. We have produced over 80,000 different components over the years and are highly regarded for our chemical etching process. Our engineers offer many services that you can find here, and will offer advice to improve the product and reduce the costs.
24-hour quotation service
Dedicated account managers
Rapid manufacturing service
Cost saving stock of uni-tooling
Etched fold lines for tool-free forming
Full manufacturing service and supply chain management
Access to manufacturing and technical advice and expertise
Quality accredited to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and SC21 Bronze
The key difference
One of the key reasons we enjoy our customer retention and longevity is the team of dedicated account managers. This ‘single point of contact’ throughout the whole process, ensures a personal service, and pride in the quality and reliability of the entire service.
Customers rely on their dedicated contacts’ understanding and in-depth knowledge of their specific requirements and know the highest standards will always be met using the most efficient and cost-effective methods.
This consistent service is the foundation of our customer loyalty and is maintained throughout every department and every stage of production. Put us to the test for your next project and call one of our account managers on 01480 226699 or use our customer enquiry form.
Value added partnerships
We also have long working relationships with specialist partners for additional finishing services. These services can range from laser-cutting, plating, anodising and heat treatments which can add decorative finishes, prevent corrosion, and further improve durability.
All additional processes are managed closely and delivered with full transparency and traceability.
start your production journey today
If you are looking to find a complete service include dedicated engineering to design and implement your solution, get in touch with us. You’ll be given an account manager who is always on hand to advise and take care of everything for you. Call us on 01480 226699 or contact us now to see how we can add an extra dimension to your manufacturing project. Keep up to date by following us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
TAKE A LOOK AT OTHER
SERVICES we offer
Chemical Milling / Chemical Etching
Since 1968, we have specialised in precision chemical etching, building a reputation as the world leaders through exceptional customer service, lead-times and quality management of chemical etching and value-added services.
Export
We understand the importance of reliable, high-quality manufacturing for businesses around the world. With an over 55-year legacy in supplying chemically etched components worldwide, our unique combination of versatility and unparalleled service makes us the ideal choice as your export partner. We believe in the power of international collaboration.
Dedicated Sheet Metal Engineering
We understand that engineering is an essential part of the production journey. That’s why we have heavily invested in a dedicated secondary engineering unit, with the aim of this is to offer an even greater service and flexibility to our customers.
Electronic File Handling
Digital files have now become an essential part of our tooling process – digital tooling gives a huge flexibility of design, while allowing our team to easily review and edit designs.
Metal Plating & Finishing
Photofab can offer a class-leading metal plating service, in a huge range of finishes. Metal plating is an important service that allows you to add certain properties, or a decorative finish, to your pieces. With a 24-hour turnaround time, Photofab is the perfect candidate to quickly fulfil the metal plating needs of your application.
Prototyping to High Volume
We offer our services in every possible volume – we can prototype single pieces and scale all the way up to a high-volume production. We offer this flexibility in a range of our industry leading processes.
Sheet Metal Forming & Tooling Manufacture
Our metal forming and tooling team have built a wealth of experience and expertise to compliment the established etching division and create a full manufacturing service.
Far East Supply Chain
We offer the option of utilising their strong relationship with a quality manufacturing supply chain in the Far East.
Laser Cutting
Our laser cutting service was created to offer customers precision cutting on materials thicker than 1.5mm whilst maintaining the same standards and quality control as our in-house etching services.
Metal Stamping
Metal stamping is best used for high volume applications, as the more volume is produced the better cost effective the initial outlay on the tooling is.
Photo Etching
There is a phrase often associated with our photo etching capabilities, “If you can draw it, we can make it”. With over 55 years experience and a large pool of technical knowledge, we are specialists in photo etching of thin metal parts.
To find out how we can help you
Get in touch today
