Current trend toward just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing, shorter part runs, and limited product life cycles have increased the use of laser cutting machines in production and prototype fabrication. Laser cutters are constantly evolving, as manufacturers find new and innovative ways to apply this basic technology.

Often the capabilities of lasers and turret presses can be combined. Turret presses are very fast and generate acceptable accuracy when punching many holes of the same or different diameters. Lasers are particularly accurate and economical for profiling irregular exterior contours.

These capabilities can be combined to produce accurate, complex parts at acceptable production rates by using each machine to perform that part of the cutting operation for which it is best qualified.

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