4 Parameters You Should Think About Before Cutting Sheet Metal
Some inexperienced metal fabrication hobbyists usually get disappointed when their efforts to cut sheet metal using conventional tools, such as lathes, produce poor results. Such individuals may not have considered how the different cutting parameters interact with one another during the cutting process. This article discusses four important cutting parameters that hobbyists need to consider as they plan their next metal fabrication project.
- Material Machinability
You should think about how easy it is to machine a given material before you start cutting it. For example, the carbon content of a given sheet of steel determines how hard that steel may be to machine. Steel with high carbon content is harder to cut when compared to steel with low levels of carbon. Harder metals can cause the cutting tool to heat up excessively. This heat generation can be reduced by adjusting other cutting parameters, such as lubrication and cutting speed. You will then notice an improvement in the cut quality if you tweak the parameters in order to adapt to the machinability of the material that you are working with.
- Cutting Tool Material
Different cutting tool materials have different attributes. For example, some have high thermal stability. Such tools (coated carbide tools, for example) remain unchanged when heat is generated during the cutting process. Always confirm that your cutting tool is made from the recommended material for cutting the metal sheet that you are working with. These tool recommendations are normally provided by sheet metal manufacturers or suppliers.
- Coolant
You should also consider the coolant/lubricant that you use during the metal cutting process. For instance, you may need to use oil as a lubricant/coolant if you are cutting a hard metal, such as carbon steel, that generates plenty of heat as it is being cut. This is because oil will absorb more heat than water will during the cutting process. This will limit the likelihood that the sheet metal will have a pronounced heat-affected zone (HAZ) once cutting operations are completed. The HAZ can be weak due to becoming brittle as a result of prolonged heat exposure during cutting processes.
- Rigidity of the Cutting Machine
Your project should be based on an understanding of the rigidity of the different components, such as the spindle, of your cutting tools. Rigid machines can produce more accurate cuts than machines with less rigidity. You should therefore ensure that all machine components are firmly anchored so that all cuts made are within the desired tolerances.
As you can see, a change in one of the cutting parameters can have a spillover effect on other parameters. It is therefore important for you to think carefully about the interplay of all the parameters above so that you adjust the parameters in order to produce cuts of the desired quality. Ask an expert to review your equipment and cutting methods in case you fail to figure out what changes you need to make in order to improve the quality of cuts made.
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