Cutting is the first metalworking step to get rough blanks. Common methods are below.
Grinding wheel cutting uses high-speed wheels. Lightweight and easy to use, it is widely used in construction and decoration for small-diameter square, round and irregular tubes.
Saw cutting adopts band saws and blades. Blade type and cutting speed should fit material hardness.
Flame (oxy-fuel) cutting melts carbon steel with oxygen and fuel gas. It cuts plates up to 2 meters thick at low cost, yet brings large heat-affected zones, deformation, rough cuts and slag.
Plasma cutting uses high-temperature plasma arcs for metals up to 100 mm thick, with fast speed and smooth cuts, especially for thin carbon steel.
Laser cutting uses high-energy lasers for steel thinner than 30 mm, featuring high speed, fine quality and precision.
Waterjet cutting uses high-pressure water jets to cut any material along any curve. Its main advantage is no thermal effects as water removes heat instantly.