Lower Costs

Compared to other cutting machines, using sheet metal laser cutting machines is highly cost-effective. There will be significantly less labour costs due to these machines being automated and requiring fewer workers to operate.

As lasers will not get dull or worn out like other cutting tools do, they don’t need to be changed over during the sheet metal laser cutting process. This helps to improve productivity and cause fewer interruptions, meaning costs will be lower.

Improved Speed and Efficiency

As lasers can be set to various cutting speeds, as per the specifications of the parts being cut, they can cut through materials very fast. Since laser cutter machines can be set to operate overnight when machinists aren’t on shift, this can increase the overall efficiency of the laser cutting process and therefore get the work done faster compared to other cutting processes.

High Precision

Laser cutting stainless steel sheets is highly recommended as the cuts will be highly accurate. Laser cutters can create small cuts, tight tolerances, and smooth, sharp and clean curves and edges. If intricate cuts are required, laser cutters are recommended to achieve this. These machines produce little to no burring due to the laser melting the material instead of cutting it.

High Versatility

Laser cutters can be used to cut many different types of metals, making it perfect for laser cutting stainless steel sheets, aluminium alloy, titanium and more. They’re capable of handling tight tolerances and intricate designs and they work very fast to ensure your project is completed on time with minimal disruption.

Enquire About Our Laser Cutting Service

Westberg Sheetmetal has years of experience providing laser cutting of sheet metals as well as many other services. Contact us today by calling (03) 9459 4600 or sending an email to sales@westberg.com.au. Our experts are available on weekdays from 7am to 5pm to talk to you about our laser cutting services and your specific requirements.

Guillotine Cutting

Guillotines designed for sheet metal cutting applications create clean and precise cuts. The sheet metal is placed over a bladed cutting line, and a second blade comes down from above at a specific offset distance. Guillotines come with easy-to-use software that ensures the cuts are as accurate as possible.

Laser Cutting

As the name indicates, laser cutting is a metal cutting practice that uses a laser. This is a very common method due to its accuracy, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. When deciding which laser cutting equipment to use, you should take into consideration the specs of the equipment to find the right machine for your requirements.

Tube Laser Cutting

Tube laser cutting allows for precise cutting of steel and other metals. A tube laser cutting machine is capable of cutting tube, channel or structural shapes in a single step, making it a time and cost-efficient method.

Contact Us Today

If you require more information to determine what metal cutting method is right for your requirements, contact Westberg Sheetmetal today by either calling (03) 9459 4600 or sending an email to sales@westberg.com.au. Our team members are available on weekdays from 7am to 5pm to speak to you about our sheet metal cutting services and any specific requirements you may have.

How to use cut and etch technique to test a weld

Macro etch test is a technique used to test a weld by revealing the structure of the base material and weld. It’s a destructive testing method that is used to evaluate the characteristics of the weld. First, the sample is cut to expose the profile of the weld. This allows us to see how the weld is adhering to the base metal, and also shows us other characteristics like penetration or cracks.

After cutting, the sample is published to reveal create a smooth surface before etching. The cutting process usually leaves a coarse trace on the material, so polishing helps reveal the finer details of the weld and produces a smoother surface.

After polishing to the required level, different acid-based solutions can be used to etch the surface and reveal even more detail. A combination of ethanol and nitric acid is usually used. Other industrial-grade rust removers can also be used for this purpose (for example, Rust Off from Bunnings Warehouse or other phosphoric acid solutions). Make sure you use proper personal protection equipment (P.P.E – such as gloves and eye protection) and follow the local regulations for disposal of these solutions as they are usually classified as harmful and corrosive.

After etching the sample in the acid-based solution for a few minutes, the boundaries of the base metal and weld become visible. The visual inspection at this point can reveal additional information about the weld. For example, the following photos show the effect of different wire feed rates on a MIG weld.

Based on these tests, it can be seen that 10 m/min is too fast for the feed speed and there is no penetration or proper adhesion as the wire melts up too quickly to provide proper welding. 8 m/min provides a better weld penetration compared to 6 m/min, however, the operator needs to adjust the hand movement to cover the base of the weld and both sides properly.

Low magnification microscopes can also be used to examine the finer structure of the weld. That’s why polishing should be done to achieve a finer surface finish before etching.