The Low-down on Pipe Cutters
Laser cutting technology has come on leaps and bounds over the years and that’s mainly down to the technological improvements made. Pipes need to be cut cleanly and precisely and there is a comprehensive range of options available when you look at the various systems on the market. One option is a large industrial machine, but these are for industrial applications, so the pipes tend to be very large.
For narrow plumbing pipes, you don’t necessarily need to opt for a huge machine, you can instead make use of the many smaller tools on the market. Compact pipe cutting machines can be found in many factories and workshops, and these will cut so there is not rust, and you’re always guaranteed clean results. Some pipe cutters use plasma technology, while others will use fibre lasers, and you can decide depending on the cut you’re looking for.
There are so many different pipe cutters on the market for various pipes, and whether you need to cut extremely large steel pipes or small brass pipes for plumbing applications, you can get accuracy with a state-of-the-art machine. You can simply press ‘start’ on these machines to get the cut you need, and CAD designs can be uploaded for excellent accuracy. These machines can cleverly rotate the pipes for quick and clean cuts every single time, and you do need to learn how to operate them safely because they can be extremely dangerous.
Most of the time, a standard laser cutting machine can be ideal for a range of applications, and you don’t necessarily require a pipe cutter, but you may not get the same results. There are also various hand-held options, but these don’t guarantee the same level of power or accuracy, and they’re often used in the plumbing industry.
A good cutter will slice through copper, plastic, brass, and aluminium with ease, yet heavier duty options will be swiftly cut iron, cast-iron and stainless steel. When a complete rotation is not possible, for example in situations where the pipe is too large, specialist equipment is required and we will go into detail on these applications in the near future so watch this space.