Ohio Laser adds fiber laser cutting of copper and brass for antimicrobial apps

Plain City, OH -Ohio Laser says it now offers laser cutting for copper and brass sheets between 0.032-0.125 in. thick thanks to a new fiber laser cutting system.

Earlier this year the company added a fiber laser fiber-delivered disc laser cutting machine (identified in this video as a Trumpf 1030 TruLaser; clarification added 10/16). The job shop can now cut nonferrous metals such as copper sheet and brass sheet, in addition to other sheet metals (steel to 0.5-in, stainless steel to 0.25-in, and aluminum to 0.1875-in.) at various power ranges (3-6 kW).

Laser cutting offers a more efficient way to process highly reflective materials such as copper and brass, with faster setup and processing times, flexible prototyping, and just-in-time (JIT) cutting of various alloys including copper 110, 102, C194, and 17510 (RWMA CLASS lll), according to Ohio Laser.

Many industries require Environmental Protection Agency-registered antimicrobial copper alloys for use in everything from floor and wall tiles to door plates, elevator interiors, workstations, equipment components, and counter/tabletops. Properties in such alloys are shown to effectively eliminate specific bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Other sectors use copper sheet metal for fabricating tiles, electric car motors, and inside LEED-certified "green" buildings.