LASER CUTTING SERVICE

Twenty20 Engineering offers a precise and responsive laser cutting service, using state-of-the-art machinery to cut and engrave a wide range of sheet metal materials, regardless of thickness. This service is highly sought after by industries like construction, automotive, and industrial sectors. It generally serves as a precursor to sheet metal fabrication, another service expertly provided by Twenty20 Engineering.

WHAT IS LASER CUTTING?

Laser cutting is a process that employs a concentrated laser beam to melt, burn, or vaporise the material being cut. Controlled by a computer within the machine, the laser beam follows a precise path dictated by the 2D CAD Model crafted by an engineer. This versatile technique can effortlessly cut through an array of materials and thicknesses, including but not limited to:

• Mild / Plain Carbon Steel.
• Stainless steel.
• Aluminium.
• Brass.
• Copper.
• Titanium.

HOW CAN SHEET METAL BE CUT?

Sheet metal can be cut using different methods, and at Twenty20 Engineering, we utilise them all based on factors such as material thickness and the precision required for parts and assemblies. For the majority of projects, we primarily employ either laser cutting or CNC plasma cutting due to their cost-effectiveness and relative accuracy. However, it's essential to note that as the level of accuracy and precision rises, so does the cost of production. Below, we outline the methods Twenty20 Engineering employs for cutting sheet metal, listed in order of increasing accuracy:

• Manual Cutting – Using a Guillotine or Cropping machine to shear the material. This is used for simple components.
• CNC Plasma Cutting – involves creating an ionised jet of plasma to cut through the material, which is computer-controlled for direction and intensity. This method can cut thin and thick materials but may require additional processing to remove sharp, ragged edges, a process known as deburring.
• Water Jet Cutting – This utilises a high velocity jet of water containing abrasive particles to cut through the material. This is especially effective for material thicknesses above 20mm.
• Laser Cutting – utilising a focused laser beam to cut through the material to a very high accuracy and precision at rapid rates. Laser cutting is highly effective for materials up to 20mm in thickness; thicker materials are cut using a water jet machine.