Fab Lab
  • Fab Lab
  • Contact
  • Access
  • Book a Consultation
  • Alternative Bureau Services
  • BUREAU
    • Job Submission
      • Creating a Job
      • Uploading Your Files
      • Tracking a job
      • Paying For A Job
      • Collecting Your Job
    • File Naming Conventions
    • Submission Template Files
    • Fab Lab Materials
      • Fab Lab Materials
      • Own Materials
  • METHODS AND MATERIALS
    • Fabrication Methods
    • Design and Assembly
    • Materials and Safety
  • 3D Printing
    • Introduction to 3D Printing
      • Design for 3D Printing
    • FDM
      • FDM 3D Print Farm
      • Modelling for FDM
      • Bambu Studio Quick Start
      • General Slicing Settings
      • 3DPrinterOS Quick Start
    • SLA
      • SLA 3D Print Farm
      • Preform Quick Start
  • Laser Cutting
    • Laser Cutting Guide
      • Quick Start Guide
      • Materials
      • Advanced Techniques
      • Creating a Contour Model
      • Post-Processing Timber & MDF
  • Metal Laser Cutting
    • Metal Laser Cutting Guide
      • Quick Start Guide
      • Machine
      • Materials
      • Troubleshooting
      • Post-Processing Metal
  • CNC Machining
    • CNC Routing
      • Quick Start Guide
      • Machine
      • Materials
      • Troubleshooting
      • 2-Axis Milling
      • 3-Axis Milling
      • Creating a Timber Site Model
    • Incremental Sheet Forming(ISF)
      • ISF Guide
Powered by GitBook
On this page
  • Metal Treatment Overview
  • Cleaning and Polishing
  • Folding Metal
  • Welding
  • Finishing
  • Spray Painting

Was this helpful?

  1. Metal Laser Cutting
  2. Metal Laser Cutting Guide

Post-Processing Metal

Metal has a vast array of post processing techniques available to take your metal laser job further. This section aims to provide some pathways to spark ideas or proceed with your project.

Last updated 24 days ago

Was this helpful?

Metal Treatment Overview

In comparison to other materials, metal requires more post-processing after it has been cut. It is important to allow time to clean up your parts if you want to achieve the best results.

  • Some metals (especially mild steel) will oxidise and rust after cutting, or when they come into contact with the oils on your skin. We advise sealing the metal as soon as possible after the job has been processed.

  • Metal cutting often leaves behind “dross” - melted material on the underside of the piece. These can leave sharp or undesirable edges that may need to be filed down

  • In order to cut through metal, the laser cuts at a very high temperature and can often leave heat marks. You may want to remove these before a piece can be presented.

Cleaning and Polishing

In regards to dealing with rust, dross and heat marks, all three of these things can be cleaned up by using a linisher, orbital sander or angle grinder.

  • Angle grinder - used for cutting, shaping and cleaning

  • Linisher - A pedestal 'sander', the linisher is used for preparing metal surfaces for welding or cleaning.

  • Orbital Sander - used for cleaning and polishing

Folding Metal

For folding sheet metal, we have the Magnabend 650E (a magnetically charged metal bending tool) available for students to use in the workshop.

Welding

Maker Spaces Workshop has a welding bay which includes MIG, TIG and stick welding services. This is offered as a service to students, where Fab Lab and Workshop staff can weld your job for you. Feel free to bring your welding job in and have a chat about it with Fab Lab staff.

Finishing

Spray Painting

Guide on best practice for spray painting metals - Spray booth available for student use.

SKILL BUILDING: SPRAY PAINTING TECHNIQUES

Cleaning up metal parts on the Linisher
Makerspaces Workshop Welding Bay