FAQ
Fibre Laser Cutting
What materials can SMETEC cut with its fibre laser?
SMETEC's 12 kW HSG 4020 fibre laser can cut carbon and structural steels, aluminium and stainless steel.
How thick can fibre laser cutting handle?
SMETEC's fibre laser can cut up to 25 mm carbon and structural steel, 16 mm aluminium and 20 mm stainless steel.
What is the maximum sheet size for fibre laser cutting at SMETEC?
SMETEC's HSG 4020 fibre laser has a 4000 mm x 2000 mm cutting bed, allowing large-format sheets, oversized components and efficiently nested production runs to be processed.
How accurate is fibre laser cutting?
SMETEC's fibre laser provides high positional accuracy and repeatability, with advanced motion control, automatic focus and real-time process monitoring helping maintain consistent cutting quality.
What are the benefits of large-format fibre laser cutting?
Large-format cutting can reduce the need to segment components and perform secondary joining. This can improve dimensional accuracy, reduce weld preparation and help shorten overall manufacturing times.
Does fibre laser cutting leave a heat-affected zone?
Fibre laser cutting produces a minimal heat-affected zone, while maintaining clean and consistent cut edges suitable for subsequent fabrication, welding and finishing processes.
Can SMETEC laser cut complex profiles and components?
Yes. The large-format HSG 4020 is suited to complex profiles, long components and efficiently nested production runs.
3D Printing & Additive Manufacturing
Does SMETEC offer industrial 3D printing?
Yes. SMETEC has in-house industrial additive manufacturing capability using its Markforged X7 Industrial 3D Printer.
What materials can be used for industrial 3D printing?
SMETEC can work with a range of advanced 3D printing materials, including materials incorporating continuous fibre reinforcement for increased strength and performance.
What can industrial 3D printing be used for?
Industrial 3D printing can be used to manufacture items such as production aids, jigs, fixtures, tooling and specialised components for a range of manufacturing applications.
How can additive manufacturing support conventional manufacturing?
Additive manufacturing can provide a fast and flexible way to produce specialised tooling, fixtures and production aids that support machining, fabrication, assembly and other manufacturing processes.
Can SMETEC produce custom 3D printed components?
Yes. SMETEC can manufacture custom industrial 3D printed components from suitable customer-supplied drawings or CAD files, subject to material, design and application requirements.
Sheet Metal Fabrication & Folding
What is CNC press brake folding?
CNC press brake folding uses computer-controlled machinery to accurately bend sheet metal into the required shape. SMETEC's LVD Easy-Form 220t plus uses CNC control and real-time angle correction to produce consistent, repeatable bends.
What materials and thicknesses can SMETEC fold?
SMETEC's 220-tonne press brake can handle a wide range of material thicknesses and lengths. Specific folding capability depends on the material, component dimensions, bend length and required geometry.
How accurate is SMETEC's sheet metal folding?
The LVD Easy-Form 220t plus uses real-time angle measurement and correction to compensate for material variations and achieve accurate, repeatable bends.
Can SMETEC manufacture complex sheet metal components?
Yes. SMETEC's CNC folding and fabrication capabilities allow the manufacture of components with complex geometries and custom requirements.
Can SMETEC handle a project from cutting through to finished fabrication?
Yes. SMETEC provides integrated manufacturing services including fibre laser cutting, CNC folding, rolling, machining, welding, assembly, deburring and finishing, allowing multiple manufacturing processes to be managed in-house.
Precision Machining
What is precision machining?
Precision machining is the controlled removal of material to manufacture components to specified dimensional and tolerance requirements. SMETEC uses its CMX 1100Vi Vertical Machining Centre to manufacture precision components for industrial and Defence applications.
What size components can SMETEC machine?
SMETEC's CMX 1100Vi provides substantial machining capacity for a wide range of components. Machining suitability depends on the component dimensions, material, geometry and required tolerances.
Can SMETEC manufacture machined components from supplied drawings or CAD files?
Yes. SMETEC can manufacture precision-machined components from customer-supplied drawings and CAD files, subject to component specifications and manufacturing requirements.
Can SMETEC machine difficult materials?
Yes. SMETEC can machine a wide range of engineering materials to demanding dimensional and tolerance requirements, subject to the material, component and project specifications.
Can SMETEC handle a project from cutting through to finished fabrication?
Yes. Machining can be integrated with SMETEC's cutting, folding, welding, fabrication, deburring and finishing capabilities to provide a more complete manufacturing solution.
Finishing
What is metal deburring and why is it important?
Deburring removes sharp edges, burrs and unwanted material left after cutting and fabrication. It improves component safety, finish and preparation for subsequent processes such as painting, powder coating, welding and bonding.
Why should laser-cut parts be deburred?
Depending on the material and cutting process, cut components may have oxide, burrs or sharp edges. Deburring and edge rounding help remove these imperfections and prepare components for subsequent manufacturing and finishing processes.
How does deburring improve paint and powder coating adhesion?
Edge rounding creates a smoother, more consistent surface that allows paint or powder coating to cover component edges more effectively, helping achieve a more consistent finished coating.
Can SMETEC remove laser oxide from cut components?
Yes. SMETEC's VG Machines CT-650 deburring system can mechanically deburr and edge-round components while also removing laser oxide where required.
Does edge rounding help prevent corrosion?
Yes. Sharp edges can be vulnerable to coating breakdown because protective coatings may not achieve consistent coverage around them. Proper edge rounding can help coatings cover and seal component edges more effectively, improving long-term corrosion protection.
Manufacturing & Services
Can SMETEC help determine the best manufacturing process for my component?
Yes. SMETEC offers a range of integrated manufacturing technologies, including fibre laser cutting, CNC folding, precision machining, welding, fabrication, deburring and finishing. This allows the appropriate manufacturing processes to be selected based on the material, component and project requirements.
Can SMETEC manufacture parts from an existing drawing or CAD file?
Yes. SMETEC can manufacture components from customer-supplied engineering drawings and CAD files across its range of in-house manufacturing capabilities.
Can SMETEC manufacture a complete component rather than just cut parts?
Yes. SMETEC provides integrated manufacturing services including cutting, CNC folding, rolling, precision machining, welding, fabrication, assembly, deburring and finishing, allowing components to progress through multiple manufacturing processes in-house.
Can SMETEC support both prototype and production manufacturing?
Yes. SMETEC's range of manufacturing capabilities can support initial components, low-volume requirements and repeat production, depending on the project specifications and requirements.
Can SMETEC manage multiple manufacturing processes in-house?
Yes. SMETEC's integrated capabilities allow cutting, folding, machining, welding, fabrication, assembly, deburring and finishing processes to be coordinated through one manufacturing provider.
Does SMETEC provide manufacturing services for Defence and industry?
Yes. SMETEC provides advanced manufacturing and fabrication services supporting Defence and industrial customers, with capabilities suited to complex components, assemblies and repeat production requirements.
Can SMETEC manufacture a complete component rather than just cut parts?
Yes. SMETEC's CNC manufacturing equipment and integrated production capabilities are well suited to repeat manufacturing where consistency, quality and reliable production are important.
Can SMETEC provide quality and traceability documentation?
Yes. SMETEC can support project-specific quality, traceability and manufacturing documentation requirements where required as part of the customer or project specification.
What information do I need to provide for a manufacturing quote?
Providing engineering drawings or CAD files, material specifications, dimensions, quantities, tolerances and any welding, fabrication or finishing requirements will help SMETEC assess the project and provide an accurate quotation.
