Technology has shaped production for centuries and will continue to do so in the future. The two are intertwined in many ways, and when it comes to production, technology has an especially large role. There are hundreds of different technologies that have been developed over the years and improved upon for manufacturing purposes, but one type of technology stands out above all others: cutting machines. Here’s what cutting machines are used for.
Plasma Cutter
A plasma cutter is used for cutting any type of metal, including stainless steel and aluminum. The machine uses compressed air and electricity to propel a superheated blade through the metal on a plasma table, and because the blade cuts so cleanly, it’s perfect for creating straight lines and or sharp angles that wouldn’t be possible with most other machines.
These cutting machines are currently being used in the automotive industry to create custom sheet metal pieces, such as grilles and fenders.
Laser Cutter
Like a plasma cutter, a laser cutter is also commonly used for cutting metals, but the process works very differently. Instead of using electricity to heat up and cut through the metal, a low-powered beam of light (a laser) is concentrated on the metal through computer control. This light beam is also very hot, and energy from it radiates outward to create a high-heat area that can cut through even thicker pieces of metal.
For example, a laser can cut through a steel plate as thick as one inch. This is an excellent machine for thicker materials, but the high cost of price and somewhat limited uses mean it’s not used too often in mass production.
It is mostly used for unique, custom jobs because of the high-quality cuts it can produce.
Plasma Torch
A plasma torch is a small cutting machine that’s powered by an electric arc, which is what makes it different from other cutting machines. The most common type of plasma torches is used for welding and metal cutting, after which they’re often referred to as simply “welders.” A high-powered gas creates the arc that powers this machine, which then melts the metal that’s being cut through.
Because of their very small size, plasma torches are commonly used in fabrication work. This means they’re usually found on job sites rather than large production facilities, which tend to rely on other cutting machines to perform their functions.
Laser Welder
Similar to a plasma torch but more advanced, a laser welder is used for welding metals of all types. It’s not just limited to steel and aluminum, however. In fact, the more advanced lasers can even weld dissimilar metals together without creating a weak joint or some other problem that might otherwise arise from using traditional welding methods. For example, some machines allow titanium to be joined to stainless steel, which creates the need for new applications in other industries.
Laser welding machines are also used to create tight, accurate joints that can be completed very quickly. This makes them ideal for mass production, and they’re currently being used in a number of different industries.
Water Jet Welder
While most types of cutting machines are relatively simple in their construction, a water jet welder is actually quite complex. It’s powered by water that’s been superheated to around 800 degrees Celsius, which then runs through the machine at speeds of over 300 mph.
These types of cutters are common in both fabrication work and mass production. They can be used to precisely weld materials of all types, and they can create very accurate joints that must be strong enough to hold up under the stress applied in manufacturing. Sometimes robots are even used with these machines to perform a variety of welding tasks.
The high-pressure water stream is what makes this machine unique from other types of cutters, but it also creates a unique challenge: it can’t be used to cut through any type of material. In other words, it must always be used for welding and joining metals.
Fire Cutter
Fire cutters are a more traditional cutting machine that actually dates back thousands of years. They were first invented by the Chinese and then later adopted by other civilizations across the world, including the Romans, who used them in metalwork and other types of fabrication.
The process by which a fire cutter functions is rather simple: heat (fire) melts or cuts through material, and this allows it to be shaped into whatever desired design. Perhaps unsurprisingly, these machines were once widely used for construction and other purposes in addition to metalwork. Because they were so useful, however, they’ve often been replaced by more advanced technologies like plasma torches and laser cutters.
Universal Cutter
One of the most advanced types of cutting machines, a universal cutter is equipped with a number of different blades that can be used interchangeably to perform any task. For example, it might require a circular blade when cutting wood but a rectangular blade for cutting metal.
Using these interchangeable tools, users can perform any type of task without needing to buy or maintain many different machines, which in turn saves them both time and money in the long run. Universal cutters are also common in mass production, requiring very little human intervention to get the job done.
Wire Cutter
Also known as a wire stripper, a wire cutter is more of a specialty tool used for cutting through metal wires. It can’t be used to cut any other types of materials, nor does it require much power to function. In fact, some manual models can be used right in one hand, and this reduces the amount of strength required to strip away the insulation from wires.
This design is useful for a number of different reasons. First, it can be used by anyone who needs to strip away insulation from their wiring, which means that even small home projects can benefit from utilizing such technology. Second, machines like these often take up much less space than other types of cutters, which makes them perfect for office settings where space is limited.
Band Saw
One final type of cutting machine worth mentioning is the band saw. This powerful tool can be adjusted to create different types of cuts, depending on how it’s set up by engineers and technicians. It enables materials like wood and metal to be cut, and it can even make intricate curves or other shapes.
This tool is used for a wide variety of different projects, including fabrication work and mass production. Because it’s such a versatile machine, engineers often use it as their go-to cutter when they’re unsure of what type of task will require the most attention.
The main thing about a band saw is that it requires a constant supply of electricity in order to run. A good analogy for this machine is the conveyor belt on an assembly line: it keeps going and going, long after its operators have gone home for the day. In fact, some tools like this are so labour-intensive that they require a whole team to operate and maintain, and it’s even possible for some machines like this to operate 24 hours a day.
In conclusion, cutting machines come in a variety of shapes and sizes, each one of which can be used to perform a different type of task. In terms of production, the most common types are universal cutters for large-scale projects and fire cutters for smaller jobs that require more precision.