The first laser-cutting machine appeared in the early 1960s, and it was a breakthrough in the world of manufacturing and fabrication. The idea of material cutting by laser technology was conceived as soon as the laser was invented in 1960, with initial proposals and experiments going on shortly after. Scientist Kumar Patel at Bell Labs developed the first functional laser-cutting machine using a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. Laser cutting technology is one of the vital tools in almost every industry for cutting materials with precision and effectiveness.

Alliance Fabrication and Manufacturing has multiple fiber lasers, ranging from 6kW to 15kW. The various Lasers can process up to 1.00" thick mild steel with a maximum sheet size of 60" x 120".

Integrating people, processes, and technology seamlessly gives Alliance Fabrication and Manufacturing the power to deliver substantial value to our customers through outsourced resources.

We make our decisions based on whether they are in the best interest of our customers or whether we are doing what's right.

Alliance Fabrication and Manufacturing relies on data-driven processes to create customized solutions specific to each client that are as strong as the steel we fabricate.

We offer complete vertical integration via the Alliance family of companies on a single campus.

Laser cutting is a technique that employs a high-powered laser beam to cut, etch, and engrave a wide variety of materials. The extreme heat from the laser beam melts, vaporizes, or burns the material, leaving it clean and accurately cut.

Its applications can surely be appreciated in those industries for its accurate and repeatable tolerances:

• Agriculture
• Appliance
• Material Handling and Conveyor
• Power Generation
• Transportation

Laser cutting is one of the most popular technologies in fabrication today, and it is celebrated for its precision, efficiency, and adaptability. It achieves remarkably tight tolerance, producing clean, high-quality cuts with very low burrs and often eliminating any further finishing requirements.

Laser-cutting machines can handle various materials, from metals like steel and aluminum to non-metals like plastics and wood. They excel at creating complex shapes and intricate designs.

Its high operation speed and incorporation of automation greatly reduce production time while minimizing material waste and power consumption. Its integration with CAD/CAM software facilitates seamless transitions from design to production, paving the way for rapid prototyping and mass manufacturing.

Laser cutting systems are robust and low-maintenance; they assure reliable performance with reduced downtime and are efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly to meet modern fabrication demands.

Laser cutting is a subtractive manufacturing process that uses a high-energy laser beam to vaporize or melt materials. CNC laser cutting allows for the most precise cutting on complex shapes of most standard sheet metals. This process is ideal for handling tight tolerances and extraordinary speed and efficiency, making it an excellent option for prototyping and other fast sheet metal services.

Laser Generation: The namesake at the core of any laser-cutting metal machine is the laser itself and its source. In commercial laser cutting services, either a CO2 laser or a fiber laser is typically used. A CO2 laser generates a laser beam by electrically exciting a mixture of gases, including carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and helium. A fiber laser uses optical fibers doped with rare-earth elements to generate the lasers.

From there, the beam of light passes through a series of mirrors and lenses that focus it to an extreme, making it a very concentrated energy point. The painstaking process yields an incredibly powerful and focused beam of laser that can reach temperatures hotter than 20,000 degrees Celsius or 36,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Laser Source

• Fiber lasers utilize optical fibers to generate and deliver the laser beam, which is amazingly efficient and suitable for metal cutting.

CO₂ Laser:

• It uses a gas combination to create the laser, ideal for cutting non-metal and thick materials.

Diode Laser:

• Compact, energy-efficient; generally used in specific applications such as engraving.

Beam Delivery System

• Mirrors and Lenses: Steer and focus the laser beam to a fine point for precise cutting.
• The beam passes through fiber cables in fiber-laser systems, so less energy is lost, and more flexibility is possible.

• It has a focusing lens or mirror to concentrate the laser beam.
• Equipped with a nozzle to concentrate on aid gases and protect optics from particles.

• Oxygen (O₂): Used for cutting thick materials like steel, aiding combustion.
• Nitrogen (N₂) gives cuts without oxidation on either stainless steel or aluminum.
• Compressed Air: A low-cost option for thin materials.

• Along with CNC systems, commercial laser cutting services for sheet metals are installed with extreme precision and accuracy when moving the laser head. This gives standard sheet metals exact cuts and high tolerances, even for intricate designs.

• Includes linear guides and motors to accurately move the cutting head or workpiece along the X, Y, and Z axes.
• It can involve gantry systems or robotic arms for complex shapes.

• Maintains the temperature of the laser source and optics to prevent overheating.
• Typically uses water chillers or air cooling.

• Removes smoke, fumes, and particulates generated during cutting to ensure safety and cleanliness.

• Operates the machine, manages parameters like speed and power, and provides real-time process monitoring.

Precision Laser cutting minimizes component deformation and failure. Lasers can cut through many materials and are typically used on the following.

• Hot Rolled Steel
  • Agriculture Equipment
  • Automobile Accessories
  • Electrical Enclosures
  • Transportation Infrastructure
• Hot Rolled Pickled and Oil
  • Agriculture Equipment
  • Rack Systems
  • Lawn and Garden
• Cold Rolled Steel
  • Charging stations
  • Metal Furniture
  • Home Appliances and Components
• Aluminum Steel
  • Healthcare
    • Hospital Beds
    • Storage Cabinets
  • Power Distribution
    • Control Rooms
    • Junction Boxes
  • Telecommunications
    • Data center storage
    • Satellites

The sheet metal laser cutting process is among the most efficient and has many advantages. The machines' CNC-programmed movements ensure repeatable tolerances every time.

Other benefits include:

• High Precision
• Cutting Versatility
• Low Cost
• Durability
• Scalability
• Rapid Turnaround

Alliance Fabrication and Manufacturing has fiber lasers ranging from 6kW to 15 kW. These different lasers can process up to 1.00" thick mild steel and a sheet size of up to 60" x 120".

Consequently, each laser, ranging from 6kW to 15kW, provides better cut quality while holding tighter tolerances and improving efficiency. Our state-of-the-art laser systems allow us to cut material thicknesses ranging from .0299 inches to 1.00 inches.

Each fiber laser delivers a minimal cutting kerf to achieve maximum precision and accuracy. This results in increased quality and efficiency in producing a tight-tolerance product.

Alliance Fabrication and Manufacturing Supports a wide range of industries across multiple sectors. It works closely with the following industries and sectors.

• Agriculture
• Appliance
• Heavy Construction
• Material Handling and Conveyor
• Power Generation
• Transportation

This sets Alliance Fabrication and Manufacturing apart, for they can execute precise, customized cuts in materials that flawlessly match the unique design or functional needs of their customers. By harnessing state-of-the-art technology, including laser cutting and various precision methods, they can fashion complex shapes, designs, or even unusual dimensions with great accuracy and speed.

Alliance Fabrication and Manufacturing combines state-of-the-art technology with experienced engineers and an in-house Certified Welding Inspector to deliver consistent, timely results supported by excellent quality assurance. Their prices are also very competitive and designed to fit the needs of a project, ensuring value without giving up precision or performance.

At Alliance Fabrication and Manufacturing, people, processes, and technology combine to give our customers the ability to increase their outsourced resources dramatically.

As a full-service contract manufacturer and fabricator, our capabilities and capacities include welding, stretcher leveling (laser-quality steel), laser cutting, metal forming and bending, kitting, and assembly, in addition to these value-added services: 

• Customer design is prepared by an experienced Journeyman Tool & Die design
• Solid models of parts and fixtures used in offline programming software
• Faster – Turnaround Time and Quality Tooling
• On staff - Certified Welding Instructor 

Learn More at AllianceFabMfg. net or call 219.427.5400 

Alliance Fabrication is ISO 9001: 2015 Certified.