The Complete Guide to Buying Metal Products

29 Apr.,2024

 

The Complete Guide to Buying Metal Products

AISI

Stands for American Iron and Steel Institute. The institute serves as the voice of the North American steel industry. AISI numbers are used to categorize metals by alloy type and carbon content, and they do it with four digits. The first two digits of an AISI number refer to the alloy type, and the second two digits refer to carbon content.

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ALLOY

A metal made by combining two or more metallic elements. An alloy typically possesses qualities different from those of the components used to create it.

ASM

Stands for American Society for Metals. ASM International is the world’s largest association of metal material engineers and scientists. The association engages and connects materials professionals and their organizations to the resources necessary to solve problems, improve outcomes, and advance society.

ASTM

Stands for American Society for Testing and Materials. ASTM International is a not-for-profit organization that develops standards for materials, products, systems, and services. Metal with an ASTM designation meets the international standards for quality and regulations.

CUT-TO-LENGTH

This process levels coil into a flat sheet or blank. The service provides better length and width tolerances than sheared product, and it can improve diagonal tolerances as well.

DEBURRING

Cutting metals can leave behind burrs, which are unwanted pieces of material. Deburring is the process of removing these burrs with a tool.

DRAWING

Drawing is a metalworking process that uses tensile forces to stretch metal. As the metal is drawn, it stretches thinner, into a desired shape and thickness.

DRAWING TEMPERATURE

Drawing is usually done at room temperature, classifying it as a cold working process. However, it may be performed at elevated temperatures during special applications like on large wires, rods, or hollow sections in order to reduce forces.

ELONGATION

A metal fabricating term that refers to the degree to which a material can be bent, stretched, or compressed before rupturing. A metal’s elongation is a point between tensile strength and yield strength, and it is typically expressed as a percentage of the original length.

GAUGE

The thickness of sheet metal in the USA is commonly specified by a traditional, non-linear measure known as its gauge. The larger the gauge number, the thinner the metal.

HEAT LOTS OR HEAT NUMBER

A heat number is an identification number that is stamped on a material plate to prove it meets industry quality standards which require materials to be tested by the manufacturer. The heat lot or heat number is used to identify production runs for quality control purposes.

EDGE ROLLING

Edge rolling is the process of adding finishing edges to metal. It forms the edge of a strip to the desired shape beyond that of a standard slit edge.

MIL STD

Stands for Military Standard. This classification establishes uniform engineering and technical requirements for military-unique or substantially modified commercial processes, procedures, practices, and methods. In order to qualify, materials have undergone rugged, exact testing, equal to the exigencies of combat use.

NORMALIZING TEMPERATURE

Normalization is a heat treatment that relieves stress on steel to improve ductility and toughness in steels that may harden after the cold working process. During normalization, steel is warmed to a temperature just above its upper critical point. Normalized heat treatment facilitates later heat treatment operations and produces a more uniform final product.

ROCKWELL SCALE

The Rockwell Scale indicates the hardness of materials. Rockwell hardness numbers are most often used to describe the hardness of metals, although they are also used for some plastics. The Rockwell scale is based on measuring the depth of the indentation made by pressing a diamond point into a material.

SAE

Stands for Society of Automotive Engineers. SAE International is a global association of engineers and related technical experts in the aerospace, automotive, and commercial-vehicle industries. Materials meeting SAE standards are internationally recognized for safety, quality, and effectiveness.

SLITTING

Slitting is a precise shearing process, but instead of making cuts at the end of a workpiece like shearing, slitting cuts a wide coil of metal into a number of narrower coils as the main coil is moved through the slitter. During the slitting process, the metal coil passes lengthwise through the slitter’s circular blades.

TEMPER

Temper refers to reheating hardened, normalized, or mechanically worked steel to a temperature below the critical range to soften it and improve impact strength. Tempering results in greater toughness by decreasing an alloy’s hardness.

TENSILE STRENGTH

The maximum stress a material will withstand before fracturing or breaking. The ultimate tensile strength is calculated from the maximum load applied during the test, divided by the original cross-sectional area.

UNS DESIGNATION/NUMBER

Stands for the Unified Numbering System for Metals and Alloys. UNS designation provides a means of correlating internationally used metal and alloy numbering systems currently administered by societies, trade associations, and those individual users and producers of metals and alloys. This system is meant to avoid the confusion caused by using more than one identification number for the same metal or alloy, and the opposite situation of having the same number assigned to two or more different metals or alloys.

YIELD STRENGTH

The amount of stress a material can withstand before causing permanent deformity.

An Ultimate Guide for Buying Fiber Laser Cutting Machine

The industry is changing quite rapidly. To maintain the pace, the machine owners need to update themselves with whatever piece of new information available. Further, they need to understand the upcoming pattern and upgrade their arsenal with the machines of the future or gather funds to plan the purchase of that machine.

CNC router machines provide a quick and adept way of cutting and engraving objects. Besides, using laser machines as cutting equipment for metal sheets could turn out to be a very powerful way of making a firm’s commanding presence in the market. It is more of a statement that the owner is ready to deliver the product efficiently on time.

Nevertheless, one cannot ignore the fiber laser cutting machine when the topic of discussion is about the CNC machine. This is an upcoming and futurist segment for assured success. However, there has been a lot of question about what is this machine all about? Perhaps, this is the time to decode!

What is a Fiber Laser Cutting Machine?

A fiber laser cutter is a kind of CNC machine which uses a laser as its medium of cutting equipment to produce high quality, high speed, high efficiency, and high precision. These machines are the perfect addition to a metalworking operator’s armory.

Though, the best machines mostly sport lasers of powers ranging from (1500W, 2000W, 3000W, 4000W, 6000W, 8000W). Power is a determining factor of the quality of the work these machine machines can produce. To cut metal sheets like that of stainless steel, electrical steel, aluminum zinc plate, galvanized steel, titanium alloy, iron, brass, copper and other metal of varying thickness; fiber machine with power more than or equal to 1500 W should be used in order to produce distinctive cuts.

However, machines of lower power like that of 500W, 750W, and 1000W could be used to produce exotic designs that don’t require too much of incision or penetration.

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How does it work?

Moving forward, there are many things that many buyers don’t try to learn while buying this fiber laser cutting machine; and, one of them is how this machine works. It is always good to have an extra bit of knowledge, especially of how the machine operates.

The machine operates on a laser that is emitted by a fiber laser generator. This laser is generated through an optical path that focuses the fiber laser beam on the substance in use with a very high power density. This laser beam is then illuminated on the surface of the metal to bring the metal onto its melting or boiling point. During this, the high-pressure gas links with the fiber laser beam and blows away the molten or vaporized material.

While doing all this, the laser beam moves in correspondence with the metal; thus, slitting the material and achieving the purpose of cutting.

How to Buy a Fiber Laser Cutter?

As mentioned before, having an idea about the depth of the pool is important. This is the reason why one should know the cost of a fiber laser cutting machine. Further, understanding why you are opting for this cnc fiber laser cutter machine is good for the starters.

Besides, finding a professional or an assured company is also a part of the good start. These professionals know the nuances that you don’t and can guide you in buying a fiber laser cutting system at a very good and affordable rate.

Aomate supply professional and honest service.

However, the most crucial aspect of this machine is its ability to finish the designated work. This machine should operate at high speed with high precision; thus, providing work of the highest quality. Apart from this, look for a company that has a high rating and is a trusted brand in the market. This will ensure their support and backup whenever there is a problem with the machine that too in less time! As a professional, firms like Omni CNC work towards providing excellent technology that is committed to enhancing the development and production of the work.

Where does a Fiber Laser Cutting Machine fit in a Modern Shop?

Apart from comprehending the cost, one should also know where these machines will fit in the modern shop. Fiber laser cutters are big machines and should be used in a systematic environment for top quality work. Perhaps, this is why finding a good level of refinement and sophistication is one of the valuable aspects of buying this machine.

Versatility and efficiency are two chief characteristics of this machine, be it of any power. For those users who are concerned with the incision of materials of a variety of thickness, a medium level (750W to 1500W watt fiber laser) fiber laser cutting machine is a valuable asset to possess. These machines have the capability of cutting steel up to 0.70 inches thick, aluminum to 0.315 inches, stainless up to 0.394 inches, and copper and brass to 0.197 inches without the need to change the lens.

Speed and adaptability are two chief principles, along with the aforementioned one of this machine. This helps in finishing the work on time, thus, removing the extra spending on the final product. However, there are some burdens, like replacement cost and downtime cost that an operator can eliminate. Besides, considering every other factor, this entry level fiber laser machine has an ability to cut twice as fast and that too at one-sixth of the cost of a CO2 laser with a payback period that is 70% of a CO2 laser cutting machine.

Fiber laser cutting machine reduces scrap and increases the quality of the finished part due to the following reasons. One, it benefits from a very stable beam platform. This platform remains constant and helps in maintaining the cut quality, irrespective of the changes in the distance between the nozzle and the metal sheet, which is under the cutter.

And, the second, the fiber laser’s narrow kerf and small spot size help in getting the desired high speed cutting that too without sacrificing the quality of the work.

How much does a Laser Cutter Cost?

The cost of a laser cutter is a thing that should be considered while deciding the budget for the machine purchase. The fact that it differs from manufacturer to manufacturer should also be kept in mind while deciding who the user is opting for. For a pro tip, one should always consider professionals like Omni CNC machines. These companies have spent considerable time in the market and know the exact requirement of the operator approaching them. Further, they are good with their quotes, which are reasonable.

However, one should also take note of the fact that the fiber laser machine price varies due to specifications and configurations in the laser powers, types, tubes, lens, mirrors, etc. Furthermore, the rates might differ with the quality of laser engravers and cutters.

As a professional CNC and fiber laser cutting machine manufacturer from China, Omni CNC believes in offer 24/7 person-to-person free service and support. This helps them to understand what their clients really want. Nevertheless, coming back to the price range of laser engravers/cutters, it usually varies from $3,000.00 to 300,000.00 as said before, this might increase or decrease as per the configurations and requirements of the operating firm.

Understand the Usage:

Perhaps, before buying, ask yourself a question: “Why am I even thinking of buying this? Is this a part of my long-term plan, or is it just a one-time use?”

Now, brainstorm this and understand why you need this machine. Though many different reasons might pop in the brain, some of it will be that this is a future investment that you are making for your company, but getting that valuable one clear thought can prevent you from any possible regret that you might have in the future.

Stamping press may bear the lowest cost per part, but depending on the required volume, this can change. When we are talking about metal forming in a press, we are speaking about the need to invest in tooling and other stuff.

Apart from this, one can also think of opting for traditional turret punch press, which can help in cutting out the holes and shapes that, too, in a very economical way; however, it also requires tooling. No machine, even the punching one, can produce the speed as that of fiber laser cutting machine.

The speed of this machine is far superior to a high-definition plasma cutting system in terms of metal cutting thick material. Using an abrasive waterjet for thick materials is a good decision.

Models as per the Usage:

Given the fact that you have understood why you want the machine. Let us walk you through to some important aspect of knowing which model to opt for this machine.

Light Deploytube Fiber Laser Cutting Machine

This is designed for pipes that are easy to operate. These machines offer good cutting quality and cutting efficiency.

Middle Sheet Fiber Laser Cutting Machine

An ideal entry-level fiber laser cutting table machine. It does not require a high purchase or training cost. This machine is adept in working with the cypcut operating system and imported components. This machine mainly works for stainless steel, alloy steel, and other metal sheets. They are widely used in advertising and high pressure and low voltage electrical cabinet production.

Flatbed Fiber Laser Cutting Machine

With easy operation and basic maintenance, the flatbed laser fiber cutting machine provides users powerful cutting and efficiency. It is a good choice for users who are looking for economical processing.

Dual-use Sheet & Tube Fiber Laser Cutting Machine

This sheet and tube fiber cutting machine are made for the cutting of cast iron bed, professional pipe cutting CNC system, rack drive system, which assures good cutting accuracy and efficiency.

High Power Fiber Laser Cutting Machine

This high-power fiber laser cutting machine is an upgraded version to provide full-protection of fiber laser cutting machine. This machine is suitable for cutting thick sheets with high power and high speed.

China’s Stand in This Market:

Fiber laser cutting machines have become a dominant source in terms of material processing. And, leading the race in providing this machine to the market is China. As per Industrial Laser Solutions, more than 60% of the laser processing market is regulated by China. What’s interesting is the positive effect of laser price reduction. This effect has seen a tremendous and quick spread of applications like that of metal cutting, cleaning, and marking, where the prices of the result are sensitive to the specifications made by the user.

Further, as per Industrial Laser Solutions, in 2018, 30,000 units and 6000 units of mid-power and high-power laser cutting systems were sold, respectively. Besides, there 130,000 units of laser markers were also sold in China.

Keeping all this aside, growth in UV lasers and ultrafast lasers can be noticed. Though these lasers are mainly used for 3C application yet the apparent part here is that at least 15,000 UV lasers were solely sold in China. With the figure of 20,000 units predicted to be sold this year.

As shown in the below-given snapshot, the laser market size in china has upgraded since 2015 and the transformation of the traditional industries came as an advantage. A good economic growth is shown through 2015-2020.

Source: https://www.industrial-lasers.com/home/article/14068621/the-status-of-industrial-lasers-in-china

So here was the round-up of how you should go about things while buying a fiber laser cutting machine in China or any other part of the world. Just remember before opting to buy, always understand the purpose behind and do research about the machine you are thinking of investing in. This will help you to get clarity on the matter and will help in getting the apt machine for your shop/firm’s use.

Contact Omni CNC

Contact us to discuss your requirements of high-precision stamping machine. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.