Fiber laser cutting is a game-changer in modern manufacturing, offering greater speed, accuracy, and flexibility across materials. At Wal-Tek Industries, we’re proud to introduce the Mitsubishi ML3015GX-F40 fiber laser to our lineup—a machine that equips us better than ever to support our customers’ metal cutting needs.
Allow us to walk through how this fiber laser has equipped our precision sheet metal shop better than ever before.
The Value-Adds of Wal-Tek’s Fiber Laser Cutting Capabilities
Fiber laser cutting provides numerous advantages over traditional CO2 lasers, such as:
Broader Material Capabilities
Our new Mitsubishi fiber laser enables us to cut a much wider range of materials, including highly reflective metals like copper and brass. In the past, when we didn’t have the capacity to handle many projects with these reflective materials, we needed to outsource these jobs, leading to longer lead times and occasional quality issues. Now, we can maintain control over the entire process.
In addition, this new machine allows us to cut thicker sheets of aluminum and steel.
- Our previous cutting limitation for aluminum was ⅛” thick. Now, we can cut aluminum that is ½” thick!
- In the past, we could cut steel up to ½” thick, but thanks to our new fiber laser, we can cut steel up to 1” thick!
Superior Efficiency and Speed
Compared to our older CO2 laser, our new fiber laser cuts 3.5 to 4.5 times faster across all materials. That means we can produce high-quality parts with less downtime, supporting faster turnaround times and greater throughput for our customers. It also consumes significantly less power, helping us operate more sustainably and efficiently.
Better Nesting for Greater Value
Using Metamation nesting software, Wal-Tek has been able to optimize material usage and reduce waste in our metal cutting operations. While many other shops simply use the software that’s built into their machinery, Wal-Tek intentionally leverages Metamation because it is an industry leader in automated nesting that yields greater results for our teams and customers. It works on our fiber and CO2 lasers, delivering better value and consistency across every order.
Integration with Our Other Precision Machining Services
Wal-Tek isn’t just about cutting—we’re a full-service contract manufacturer offering a range of sheet metal fabrication, tube laser cutting, and CNC machining services. Fiber laser cutting fits seamlessly into this ecosystem, especially as we continue to invest in Industry 4.0 technologies.
For instance, our new cutting capabilities complement our investment in a Trumpf 5130X press brake with Automatically Controlled Bending (ACB) technology. The pairing of these two machines ensures that as our cutting capacity increases, our forming capabilities keep pace—supporting more complex assemblies and delivering tighter tolerances with speed.
Versatility Matters: Why Wal-Tek Offers Both CO2 and Fiber Laser Cutting
While fiber laser cutting is ideal for speed and material range, some applications still benefit from CO2 lasers, especially when the component requires minimal dross—the oxidized and solidified molten metal that remains in the kerf after laser cutting. That’s why Wal-Tek continues to offer both fiber and CO2 laser cutting. Our team is happy to recommend the most effective approach depending on your project’s goals, budget, and material requirements.
Partner with Wal-Tek for Superior Metal Cutting
At Wal-Tek Industries, we believe that the right investments in technology and partnerships drive long-term value. Our collaboration with top OEMs like Mitsubishi and Trumpf ensures reliability and availability, so we can continue delivering top-tier machining services across a range of industries.
If you’d like to see firsthand how Wal-Tek is setting the standard in full-service manufacturing, schedule a tour of our facilities here in Phoenix, Arizona! We’d love to show you around and walk you through our comprehensive manufacturing services.
