Precision Laser Welding & Cutting Coming to San Angelo March 2026
About Laser Welding
There are a lot of myths about laser welding that aren't true. Here are a few reasons you should consider laser welding:
- Industrial laser welding has been used for decades in critical applications such as aerospace, jet engines/turbines, defense and automotive. It is now cost-effective for use in small shops and available to everyone.
- Depending on the materials, laser welds are at least as strong as traditional welding. Laser welding creates exceptionally strong bonds on thin aluminum and steel. However, in many cases traditional welding may be better for materials thicker than 3/8".
- Laser welding excels with thin material. Our machine welds material from 0.1mm to 10mm.
- Laser welding can handle mild steel, stainless, aluminum, galvanized, copper, brass and yes - cast iron. It can even bond some dissimilar metals like stainless and copper - traditional welding can't do that.
- Laser welding beads are smaller than TIG and more aesthetically pleasing in many cases.
- Laser welding requires no cleanup, wire brushing, or grinding.
- There is no slag or flux.
- Laser welding creates the smallest heat affected zone (HAZ), reducing warping and discoloration and maintaining original metal strength around the weld.
- Laser welding is computer controlled, reducing human error and burn-through and maximizing consistency.
About Laser Cutting
Precision Cutting
Laser cutting has the smallest possible kerf (the size of the cut itself - the material lost due to the cutting device) - perfect for precision work, fine features and detail, small pieces and tight tolerances - up to 5x smaller than water jet, 10x smaller than plasma and even more compared to oxyacetylene.
Here is a comparison of kerf sizes for typical metal cutting processes:
- Laser: 0.1 – 0.5 mm - Very narrow, highly precise kerf
- Waterjet Cutting: 0.5 – 1.0+ mm - Wide kerf due to abrasive erosion
- Plasma Cutting: 1.0 – 3.0+ mm - Wider kerf; varies with amperage and torch design
- Oxyacetylene: 1.1 - 10+ mm - Widest kerf; varies with torch tip and plate thickness
Our laser cutting machine provides more precise and accurate cuts than you can get using other processes. This also means that very small and detailed parts can be made easily.
Cutting and Post-Processing Speed
Laser cutting is usually faster than plasma, water jet or torches due to the smaller kerf and highly focused and efficient cutting energy. Also, laser cutting doesn't create slag on the workpiece that plasma and torches do, reducing the time and cost for post-cutting processing. Laser cutting also results in a finely-finished cosmetic-quality edge.
Reduced Heat and Deformation
Laser cutting puts less heat into the metal than plasma or torches, reducing deformation and discoloration - especially in thin materials.
Prototype Development
If you need a prototype for your product or design, our laser cutting machine can help. We can create accurate and precise prototypes quickly and efficiently, so you can test your product and make any necessary changes before moving forward with production.
Contact Us
Opening our doors in March 2026 to serve San Angelo and the Concho Valley.
But feel free to call or email us if you have questions about our CNC laser services, including laser cutting and laser welding, before then.
Angelo Laser Metal Works
Lawrence Heim, Owner 678-200-3424
