Laser vs Waterjet vs Plasma Cutter - What Sets Them Apart

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Laser vs Waterjet vs Plasma Cutter - What Sets
Them Apart
Laser, waterjet, plasma cutting? Nearly everyone
dealing with metal fabrication might question
which one to choose. There is no definite
answer. It depends on various factors like its
process and what you value the most. To solve
your issue below is the breakdown of their
process and advantages/disadvantages. Laser
Cutting The laser slits the material through the
nozzle that gives incredible focus to the light
beam through the curved lens. Laser cutting is
all about preciseness and accuracy. The focused
beam vaporizes the material into gas, which makes
it perfect for accuracy.
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• What can it cut?
• Laser cutting is a little more versatile when it
  comes to cutting a variety of materials. It can
  slit plastic, rubber, wood, ceramic, and many
  other metals with accuracy. Laser cutting offers
  you the edgy quality, over the sheet, plate, and
  tube.
• Advantages of Laser Cutting
• Laser cutting is a speedy process.
• It allows you to cut complex shapes at a faster
  pace.
• Can cut metals and non-metals.
• Can work on material with a variety of
  thicknesses.
• Laser cutting is reliable.
• Disadvantages of Laser Cutting
• Laser cutting involves higher capital costs than
  plasma and waterjet.
• High power consumption.
• It is difficult to use on reflective metals.
• Requires the safety measures to protect the
  operator.
• It can cause micro-fracturing on some materials.

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• Waterjet Cutting
• Waterjet cutting is the process that uses a
  high-pressure jet of water. Or you can say a
  combination of water and an abrasive substance
  to slit the various materials.
• What can it cut?
• Waterjets are able to cut anything stainless
  steel, titanium, aluminum, ceramics, granite,
  and the materials that are sensitive to high
  temperatures. It can cut almost any shape with
  precision and a blur-free edge.
• It uses the same tool for different kinds of
  materials, so you do not need to switch it every
  time. But this process creates a big volume of
  cutting waste as compared to Laser.
• Advantages
• Can cut any kind of material.
• It doesnt overheat the materials and thus
  maintains its form.
• It can slit even thicker materials.
• It is a highly accurate process.

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• It generates no fumes.
• Disadvantages of Waterjet Cutting
• This process creates abrasive dust that can
  hinder the movement of machine parts.
• Sometimes this process can be noisy.
• This process can be slow on some materials as
  compared to laser and plasma cutting.
• The abrasive materials tend to be costly.
• Overflow of the water can create EPA issues.
• Plasma Cutting
• Plasma cutting uses a plasma torch to slit the
  material. An electrically conductive gas moves
  energy from an electrical power source through
  the torch.
• The nozzle offers the focus to the plasma arc and
  funnels the gas flow while the electrode bears
  the current. The swirl ring then allows gases to
  exit the rings at different temperatures.

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• Also while buying the plasma cutting machine,
  make sure the machine has esab plasma cutter
  consumables and Hypertherm hpr260 consumables as
  they are easy to find and replace.
• What can it cut?
• Plasma cutting is apt for cutting materials like
  stainless steel, aluminum, and copper. It can
  slit both ferrous and nonferrous metals, but
  non-conductive substances such as wood or plastic
  cant be cut.
• Advantages
• Plasma cutting can work on a variety of
  materials.
• Varieties of table lengths and sizes are
  available.
• Recent advancement in technology offers a better
  result.
• The price of the plasma cutter can up to
  one-third of the similar-sized laser machine.
• One can learn the process quickly.

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• Disadvantages
• Plasma cutting is not as accurate as Laser or
  Waterjet.
• This process creates fumes.
• Not as flexible as the laser cutting process of
  thin and thick materials.
• The cutting head components need to be changed
  for different metals and metal thickness.
• End Words
• While selecting the cutting methods its
  essential to note down their process,
  advantages, and are your requirements. Hence,
  while purchasing any device you must know what it
  offers and your requirements. Try to operate
  plasma cutting machines with good quality parts
  like esab plasma cutter consumables.
• This Article Post is Originally Posted here
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• cal-equipment-articles/laser-vs-waterjet-vs-plasma
  -cutter-wh at-sets-them-apart-1798249.html

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