Page 32 - MetalForming April 2020

FABRICATION
Designing Laser- Cut Metal Parts
Here we present 16 expert tips for designing sheetmetal parts for laser-beam cutting—inhouse or at a laser cutting shop—to ensure optimum speed, precision and affordability.
BY JAMES BELOSIC
Laser-cut metal parts have never been easier to manufacture. With new instant-quoting vendors, inno- vative cutting processes and fast turnaround times, custom- manufactured parts can be out- sourced and produced with speed and precision, at an affordable price.
For creators of parts of all
shapes and sizes, ordering pro-
totypes and ready-to-sell prod-
ucts now occurs as simply as
buying a camera on Amazon.
The parts, prototypes and prod-
ucts that laser-beam cutting
(LBC) can create are limited
only by your imagination and
creativity. When compared with other sheet metal fabricating processes, such as punching, waterjet cutting and plasma- arc cutting, LBC often results in lower prices and improved accuracy. And, because LBC avoids the need for complex tooling setups for each run, the process gets the call for short-run, quick-turnaround projects.
However, a lack of understanding of the design require- ments for LBC can prevent manufacturers from effectively leveraging the LBC process and enjoying all of its benefits. Here we present 16 expert tips for preparing part designs to optimize the LBC process.
James Belosic is president and CEO of SendCutSend, a laser- cutting service based in Reno, NV; www.sendcutsend.com.
The parts, prototypes and products that laser-beam cutting can create are limited only by your imagination and creativity.
1
Designing a file for LBC requires use of vector-based soft- ware (such as Solidworks and Adobe Illustrator) that creates 2D shapes comprising lines and curves. Other options include AutoCAD and Fusion360. Just be sure to provide project files for production formatted as .dxf, .eps, .step or .ai.
2Simplify the design as much as possible. Simple vector designs help to ensure stable and affordable projects. Designs that require multiple punches, cuts or a series of small and delicate components increase process
Select the right design software.
30 MetalForming/April 2020
www.metalformingmagazine.com