Standard Edge Quality - This typically means that for most circumstances and most projects, the process chosen will produce clean, straight, burr free, non-broken, and generally acceptable edge quality. For most users this choice of edge quality will provide the best results in making a choice of manufacturing methods.
Heat Effected Zone - A part that has been cut using some heat methods, i.e. - laser, plasma, EDM, hot wire, mag dies, etc... may have a distortion in many materials that may be unacceptable in some cases. For instance a steel that is cut with a laser will typically develop a hardened area where the cut was made. If secondary operations, like adding threads, are needed, the heat effected zone may present problems during that stage. Some plastics are also effected by heat. In some cases edge results may be imperfect and un-clean. If your needs are extreme in this area of edge quality, choose to eliminate any process that creates a heat effected zone by selecting this option.
Concavity or Taper - Some manufacturing processes will, in some cases, produce a concave/convex and/or tapered edge result, especially in thicker materials. If your finished part has an extreme flat edge quality requirement choose this option in order to produce best results.
Non-Typical Extreme Edge Quality - In some cases the above edge quality requirements may all be needed and additional requirements that are specific to your project may be present. If this is the case, choose this option to find the best possible manufacturing process.
Please contact Cut Smart if you would like more information on this subject.
© 2004 Cut Smart Engineering & Manufacturing, Inc. All rights reserved.
