|
Etching |
Laser cutting |
Stamping |
Spark erosion |
Water jet cutting |
Electroforming |
|
|
Tolerance as a % of the metal thickness |
+/- 10% |
+/- 5% |
+/- 10% |
+/- 10% |
+/- 15% |
+/- 5% |
|
Metals |
Virtually all metals |
Virtually no restrictions |
Virtually no restrictions |
Carbon steel and most metal alloys |
Virtually all materials, except for very thin ones |
Mainly nickel |
|
Hardness |
Virtually no restrictions |
Virtually no restrictions |
Problems with very soft, hard or brittle materials |
Hardness can be a consideration |
Hardness must be discussed |
Typical |
|
Stress |
No stress |
Thermal stress on cutting edges |
Stress on and around cutting edges |
Distortion, hardening and structural changes possible |
Limited stress on cutting edges |
Low stress |
|
Burrs |
No burring |
Micro burring |
Partial burring |
Micro burring |
Micro burring |
No burring |
|
Samples |
Low costs, irrespective of complexity |
Low cost |
High cost |
Low cost |
Low cost |
Average cost level |
|
Design changes |
Fast, easy, low costs |
Fast, easy, low costs |
Long, expensive |
Fast, easy, low costs |
Fast, easy, low costs |
Fast, easy, low costs |
|
Mass production |
Average cost level |
High cost |
Low cost |
High cost |
High cost |
Average cost level |