When a component has already been designed and approved, changing the drawing just to reduce manufacturing cost is not always practical.
At Lasmatic Engineering Co., Ahmedabad, we look at the manufacturing process instead. Our focus is to find ways to produce the same component more efficiently while maintaining the required dimensions, quality, and finish.
Here are some of the ways we work to keep laser cutting costs under control.
Better Sheet Utilisation Through Nesting
One of the first things we look at is how the components can be arranged on the sheet.
By planning the nesting carefully, we can make better use of the available sheet area and reduce unnecessary scrap. This is particularly important for customers ordering components in larger quantities.
The component itself remains unchanged. We optimise the way it is positioned on the sheet.
Selecting a Practical Sheet Size
The sheet size can have a direct impact on material wastage.
We consider the component dimensions and quantity while planning the job so that the available sheet is used as efficiently as possible.
The objective is simple: get more usable components from the material while keeping waste under control.
Combining Compatible Components
When a customer has different components made from the same material and thickness, we can look at producing them together in the same nest.
This can improve sheet utilisation and reduce unnecessary material remnants.
It can also make the production process more efficient when several parts are required for the same assembly or project.
Optimising the Cutting Process
Laser cutting cost is influenced not only by material but also by machine time.
We plan the cutting process with attention to factors such as:
- Cutting sequence
- Component arrangement
- Machine movement
- Number of piercings
- Cutting length
- Part quantity
The aim is to achieve the required component quality while avoiding unnecessary processing time.
Efficient Production Planning
For repeat requirements, production planning becomes particularly important.
When similar jobs can be scheduled together, we can organise production more efficiently around the same material and thickness.
This helps reduce unnecessary changes in production and improves the use of machine time.
Controlling Material Waste
Unused material, small remnants, and avoidable scrap all contribute to the final manufacturing cost.
We therefore pay attention to material utilisation during job planning rather than looking only at the cutting operation itself.
Better nesting and appropriate sheet planning help us control material loss while producing the required components.
Choosing the Right Cutting Parameters
Different materials and thicknesses require different cutting conditions.
We use appropriate process parameters for the material being cut, with the objective of maintaining a balance between:
Cutting speed + Edge quality + Accuracy + Production cost
Running a process too aggressively can affect quality, while unnecessarily slow processing can increase machine time. Finding the right balance is an important part of efficient production.
Reducing Unnecessary Handling
Production efficiency also depends on how material and components are handled before, during, and after cutting.
Organised job planning helps us reduce unnecessary movement and handling wherever practical.
This becomes more important when producing larger quantities or multiple components for the same customer.
How We Look at Laser Cutting Cost
At Lasmatic Engineering Co., we don’t look at laser cutting cost only as a cutting-rate calculation.
We consider the complete production requirement:
| Area | What We Focus On |
|---|---|
| Material | Efficient sheet utilisation |
| Nesting | Maximum practical use of the sheet |
| Machine Time | Efficient cutting process |
| Production Planning | Better scheduling of compatible jobs |
| Scrap | Reducing avoidable material waste |
| Quality | Maintaining required component accuracy |
| Quantity | Planning production according to the requirement |
The Goal: Same Component, Better Production
Our approach is straightforward.
We don’t necessarily need to change your design to reduce its manufacturing cost.
Instead, we look at the way the component is produced and identify opportunities to improve material utilisation, nesting, machine time, and production planning.
This allows us to work towards a lower overall manufacturing cost while keeping the customer’s approved component design intact.
Lasmatic Engineering Co.
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Precision laser cutting with a focus on efficient production and consistent quality.