Inflotek vs. Laser-Cut Screens

 

Inflotek produces a range of industrial process screens using its proprietary waterjet technology.

What makes Inflotek Screen the superior choice for industrial process applications?

In Steel > 12 mm (0.5”) thick

Depending on the strength of the laser, cutting with laser is typically impractical in steel thicker than 12-15 mm (0.5-0.6”). At these thicknesses laser cutting is slow and plate distortion and recast layers become problematic, requiring significant post-cut machining.

Inflotek Water Jet can economically and accurately cut steel up to 25 mm thick. And because this is a cold-process, minimal or no post-cut machining is required and holes can be spaced more closely together without concern for heat effects between holes.

In Steel < 12 mm (0.075” to 0.5”) thick

In lower thicknesses of steel, laser cutting is cost-effective, with minimal heat effects and a fast cutting speed. However for fabricating liquid-solid separation screens the major disadvantage is the low degree of taper that laser cutting can generate, typically 1° - 1.5°.  While expensive, specialized laser processes can achieve wider tapers, these methods can only cut thin sheets of stainless steel, less than 0.7 mm (0.025”) thick.

Inflotek Waterjet cutting is cost-competitive with laser cutting and is often less expensive. Unlike laser cutting however, waterjet can generate a 5° - 15° taper, making it ideal for fabricating screens used in liquid solid separation.