Aluminum remains a favorite metal used in various industrial applications. While standard aluminum shapes are available, these are not always suitable. An industry may require a specific shape or design to meet the specifications of a project or product. When this happens, fabricators work in partnership with the customer to provide custom cut aluminum sheet.
Custom Cutting Aluminum
Aluminum proves ideal for many applications. It possesses admirable qualities ensuring it is an attractive and very functional choice. With the best weight to strength ratio enhanced by its high levels of thermal and electrical conductivity and excellent corrosion resistance, it remains a popular choice for the aerospace, automotive and construction industries. Fabricators like to work with it because of its malleability, formability, and easy machinability.
Where there is an issue, is in cutting. Whether you require standard or custom cut aluminum sheet, those who cut the aluminum must be fully aware of the grades of aluminum as well as what methods do and do not work.
Custom Cut Aluminum Sheet
When custom cutting aluminum sheet to specifications, fabricators draw upon their skills and experience to produce the best results as quickly as possible. The methods they most commonly employ include:
* Mechanical/Traditional Cutting: This is more labour intensive and produces tolerances that are less precise
* Plasma Cutting: Using this method can produce good edges and tight tolerances. Results will depend upon the mixtures and amperages of the gases, e.g., air and air or argon and helium. Plasma is the most common method for cutting thicker sheets of aluminum
* Laser Cutting: Laser cutting results in tighter tolerances and can be a highly effective means of producing custom cut aluminum sheets.
With light-reflective or heat-conductive metals like aluminum, the choice of cutting methods has a major impact on the results. When planning to deliver custom cut aluminum sheet, it becomes imperative to know what grades of aluminum are most acceptable to specific cutting techniques and technology.
