Laser cutting is one of the most widely used techniques for manufacturing parts today and has been used for many years. Given the range of materials available and its usually cheap price, laser cutting is in many cases the most affordable alternative.
On the other hand, it is increasingly common to manufacture merchandising or promotional gifts tailored to our business. It is here where laser cutting can be a great alternative to produce series of highly variable lengths of personalized key chains, adapted to our aesthetic tastes and our budget.
If you want to know why you should make your key chains using laser cutting, you have come to the right place.
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What are the advantages of laser cutting?
We have already talked about laser cutting in several previous articles but, to put it in context, we will explain concisely and simply how laser cutting works. In this way you will be able to understand the pros and cons of this technology and have a more critical outlook on it.
How does laser cutting work?
Laser cutting is as simple as it sounds. We use a laser with adjustable power and focus point to cut or engrave a surface, and we can do both at the same time.
Since we can vary both the power and the focal length of the laser, we can vary the cutting depth, thus being able to cut very different materials. If we simply want to make engravings on a part, the list of materials is even longer.
What materials can be cut with laser cutting?
Depending on what machine is used, you can cut virtually any material, from paper to sheet metal. In Bitfab we have specialized in a select list of materials that we know we can work on with the highest quality:
Wood
Wood is one of the quintessential materials for laser cutting. We can use it to make an enormous variety of parts. In this case, as we can choose from many different types of wood, we can select the one that best suits the aesthetics we are looking for in our key chains.
In addition, the key chains made of wood will be very resistant and quite robust. Finally, wood (and especially fine woods) is a material that, nowadays, is associated with luxury products. That is why if you decide to make your key chains in wood you will get some very premium parts that will convey a very good feeling when held.
Cardboard
Cardboard may not be the first choice when you think of key chains, but it can be a good option if you want to make a lot of them for a very low price to distribute them massively at some event. In addition, the cardboard used can be quite thick and resistant, so don’t think that they will break at first use
Leather
Leather, like wood, is a material often associated with luxury and premium products. Contrary to what it may seem, the material is not very expensive and is easy to cut, so you can create very attractive key chains for a reduced price.
Leather darkens when burned, as does wood, and once cut it is quite resistant.
Methacrylate
Transparent methacrylate is one of the most commonly used materials in laser cutting. It can be cut very precisely and also engraved, creating very interesting effects in combination with the high transparency it features.
In addition, you can find methacrylate in many widths and colors to better suit your design and your budget.
Other materials
Wood, cardboard, leather and methacrylate are the materials we recommend most for your key chains, but there are others that can be interesting. Although certain metals can be difficult to cut with laser, they can be engraved, just like ceramics or glass. In combination with other manufacturing techniques such as machining, we can create very exclusive and original key chains with these more technical materials.
What shapes can be manufactured by laser cutting?
Laser cutting is one of the most precise manufacturing technologies available, allowing parts to be manufactured with very low tolerances and extraordinary precision.
With this precision, we are free to design key chains with very fine and detailed geometric patterns, as well as being able to engrave images with a very high resolution. Making your key chains with incredibly detailed watermarks is, without a doubt, one of the greatest strengths of laser compared to other technologies such as 3D printing, and you still get sharp, well-defined corners and lines.
Another of the possibilities offered by laser cutting is that of manufacturing moving parts if we design them in a smart way. We can die-cut fine patterns on the part to give it flexibility and mobility, creating joints and hinges very easily. These joints, unlike a 3D printed part, will not wear out over time and will be very resistant.
How much does it cost to make laser-cut key chains?
As we have already told you, you can use laser cutting to make your key chain series with a high level of personalization and a reduced cost compared to other technologies such as machining. In Bitfab we are experts in laser cutting, being one of the technologies that we use the most.
Calculating the price is not a direct task, since it depends on many factors: size of the key chain, complexity, material, need or not of assistance in the design or rasterization…
We have already written an article explaining how we do our quotes, which you can find in our article on how much laser cutting costs. In general, if you have any doubts, we recommend that you send us an email and we will give you a quote as soon as possible.
Laser cutting of key chains in Bitfab
As you know, Bitfab is one of the most experienced on-demand manufacturing services in the sector. Thanks to this experience we have acquired, we can recommend you the most appropriate technology and materials for your project. If you are thinking about making key chains for your company, business or simply for you and your friends, Bitfab is the best option.
We have the most modern technology and a wide range of materials. If you need someone to design for you key chains optimized for their manufacture by laser cutting and engraving, we also have the best experts in the field. Do not hesitate to contact us; we are sure we can help you.
