When an artist, construction worker or anyone else is using a large piece of metal for a project, they usually need the metal to be cut in some way or another. It’s quite hard to find a perfectly sized sheet of metal to suit one’s needs. Some folks prefer to do their own metal cutting. While this is a dangerous task and isn’t recommended by professionals, real DIY-ers get a sense of satisfaction from doing it and also save money.
The rest of the people out there who need sheet metal cut can simply take it in to a machinist to be cut professionally. If you’re unfamiliar with the industry, you may not know that there are many methods of metal cutting in San Francisco, CA. Read on to find out more about some of the most popular methods!
Turning
When a machinist is turning, he or she is applying the sharp point of a cutting tool to a sheet of metal. When the tool is rapidly spun (usually on a lathe), layer by layer of the metal is removed. Once the desired cut is made, the machinist is done. Turning is one of the oldest forms of shaping metal.
Drilling
Where turning shaves off layers of metal, drilling bores a hole through the metal. The correct combination of force and rotation with a strong drill bit can cut through a variety of different metals.
Burning and breaking
You’ve undoubtedly seen a welder working at some point in your life. Trained welders can combine basically any type of metal together, but they can also cut through metal with a technique called burning. When a piece of metal is brought to a high enough temperature, it can be broken along a fairly straight edge. After a piece of metal is broken, it must be grinded to achieve a perfect edge.
Laser
We assure you that cutting with a laser isn’t science fiction—it’s very real! During laser cutting, a very high powered laser beam is concentrated on a small point on the metal and cuts right through it with ease. Laser cutters are often operated by a computer system, so they are incredibly accurate.
Plasma
Another type of metal cutting in San Francisco, CA that may sound somewhat futuristic is plasma cutting. During this method, a plasma torch pumps an electrical arc through a gas (usually oxygen). The high speed of the arc blasts through the metal and creates a cut nearly as smooth as a laser.
Water jet machining
At Mach 1 Waterjet, Inc., water jet machining is the only method we use for metal cutting in San Francisco, CA. We feel that it is one of the safest and most efficient ways to cut metal and a variety of other materials, such as hard plastics. Water jet cutting is the process of easily slicing through a material with a very high pressure stream of water. The water jet machine is operated by a computer, so there is basically zero chance of error. In addition, because computer aided design is used during water jet machining, the level of accuracy and consistency that can be achieved is higher than in any other method of metal cutting.
To learn more about water jet machining and how it can be employed for a range of projects, get in touch with Mach 1 Waterjet, Inc. today!