Five Important Steps If You Need Laser Cutting
If you need to have materials laser cut as part of your manufacturing process, there are certain steps you're going to have to go through in order to get your parts and products produced.
Fortunately, the laser cutting process is fairly straightforward, and laser cutting service providers are always eager to help and provide you with valuable advice for optimizing the process.
The following are five important steps you're probably going to have to go through to put together, place, and profit from an order of laser cut parts:
1. Create A Design
This is the step of the laser cutting process that generally requires the most effort to manufacture. A laser cutting design can be created with the help of a computer illustrating program.
It's important that all dimensions in the design are determined and clearly labeled on the design. This way, the laser cutting service provider will know exactly what your intentions are and won't have to ask a lot of questions to get started on the job.
2. Choose A Material
The next step is to choose a material that the design will be cut from. In some cases, the material will be obvious depending on the product that is being manufactured.
However, in many cases, it may be necessary to run a few cost estimates after the design has been created. Cost estimates should determine what the costs will be with each possible material and what possible advantages or disadvantages each material offers.
3. Present The Design
You will either meet in person with the laser cutter to present designs to them or send in your designs. Usually, designs that are sent in are sent electronically.
It can often be helpful to meet in person with the laser cutting service provider to discuss designs in order to optimize them and take advantage of any advice the laser cutter has about lowering costs or increasing quality.
4. Order The Cuts
The laser cutter should give you a time frame for when the job will be completed. You may be able to speed up your waiting period by paying extra for priority laser cutting services.
5. Assemble Components
Depending on what type of product you are manufacturing, it may be necessary to then assemble your product with various laser cut parts and other materials.
It's a good idea to plan ahead when creating your design to minimize the labor that goes into the assembly process to minimize your production costs.