Best Methods for Cutting Steel

In today’s modern era of technology, cutting steel is much easier than it was in the past. Selecting the proper method depends on your job requirements, budget, and available equipment combined with factors such as the steel's thickness, type, and desired precision. Each steel cutting technique offers unique advantages for providing enhanced efficiency and accuracy. When choosing a steel cutting provider, it’s vital to choose a partner that utilizes top-of-the-line equipment while offering several steel cutting methods.

Steel Cutting Options

When searching for a provider that understands how to cut steel, it is equally important to work with a company that offers several methods for cutting steel. A knowledgeable steel cutting provider will work with you to determine the best steel cutting method for each job, regardless of whether one method is more profitable than another. Some of the best ways to cut steel include:

Laser Cutting

Whether it’s flatbed or tube laser cutting services, a programmed design directs the laser onto the steel surface, where it melts, burns, or vaporizes the material. This process allows for the creation of intricate shapes and smooth edges with minimal waste. Laser cutting is best for thin to medium-thickness steel within the automotive, aerospace, construction, and metal fabrication industries, where quality and precision are essential.

Laser Cutting Advantages

Laser steel cutting offers the following benefits:

• High precision
• Extremely versatile
• Highly efficient
• Minimal material waste

Waterjet Cutting

Waterjet steel cutting is a highly versatile and precise method that uses a high-pressure stream of water mixed with an abrasive material to cut through steel. This process relies on the intense force of the water and abrasive particles to erode the steel, creating clean and accurate cuts without generating heat. Waterjet steel cutting is widely used in industries like aerospace, automotive, construction, and manufacturing, where precision, material preservation, and versatility are critical.

Waterjet Cutting Advantages

Waterjet cutting offers several benefits to maximize your steel cutting requirements, including:

• No heat-affected zones (HAZ)
• High precision accuracy
• Highly versatile for both thin and thick steels
• Non-destructive for delicate designs

Plasma Cutting

Plasma cutting is a process that uses a high-velocity jet of ionized gas, known as plasma, to cut through steel. The plasma arc is generated by passing an electric current through a gas, such as nitrogen, argon, or oxygen, which becomes superheated and melts the steel. A stream of compressed gas then blows away the molten material, creating a precise cut. Plasma steel cutting is commonly used in industries such as metal fabrication, automotive repair, shipbuilding, and construction, where speed and adaptability are essential.

Plasma Cutting Advantages

Plasma steel cutting offers the following benefits:

• High-precision cutting ability
• Fast and efficient
• Highly versatile
• Cost-effective

Steel Shearing and Sawing

Steel sawing utilizes saw teeth to efficiently remove strips of metal, delivering consistent and uniform cuts. Close-tolerance metal plate sawing provides a unique combination of accuracy, speed, and automated capabilities, delivering results within ±0.005".

Metal shearing utilizes offset upper and lower blades to cut through steel materials precisely. Precision shearing capabilities enable straight cuts on flat metal sheets up to 1/2" thick. Steel shearing is well suited for high-volume runs that require smooth surface finishes.

Steel Shearing and Sawing Advantages

• Reduced costs and lead times
• Completely customizable (from simple cuts to complex shapes)
• Extremely accurate
• Highly versatile (can be used for many types of steel)

IMS is Your Locally Trusted Steel Supply Company

With seven locations serving California, Arizona, Nevada, and Northern Mexico, IMS is a full-service steel and metal supplier that understands your needs. Our inventory of metal products includes a broad range of steel shapes, including bars, sheets, tubing, and pipe, and an extensive selection of alloys, including 1008, 1018, and A36. At IMS, we offer the following advantages:

• Same-day will-call pick-up
• Next-day local delivery
• Excellent high-volume discount pricing
• Custom cut-to-size metal production
• ISO 9001 certified
• Support of Just-In-Time manufacturing processes
• No minimum purchases

Purchase Premium Steel Products Today

Contact us for more information regarding our wide selection of steel products and secondary service options. Our experts will assist you in finding the steel alloy that fits your unique job needs.