The Patagonia CNC Blog
Straight answers for metal fabricators
Guides on laser cutting, laser welding, bending and automation, written by the team behind more than 500 fiber laser cutting machines installed.
Latest articles
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CNC Pipe Bending vs Manual Bending: When Should You Automate?
Accuracy, repeatability, multi-bend 3D parts and operator skill: how a CNC pipe bender compares with manual bending, and when to automate.
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Cobot Welding vs Robotic Welding Cell: Which One Fits Your Shop?
When a collaborative welding robot beats a full robotic cell, and when it doesn’t: high-mix work, teaching by hand, installation and output.
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Tube Laser vs Saw and Drill: Why Cut Tubes and Profiles with a Fiber Laser
One machine instead of a saw, a drill press and a notcher: how a fiber tube laser cuts, holes, notches and bevels tubes in…
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Laser Cleaning vs Sandblasting: Which Is Better for Rust and Paint Removal?
No media, no chemicals and no grit: how laser cleaning compares with sandblasting for rust removal, paint stripping and weld preparation.
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Gantry Welding Systems: How to Automate Welding of Large Parts and Structures
How gantry and track-mounted welding robots weld beams, columns, trailers and large structures, and how AI software removes robot programming.
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Is a Robotic Welding Cell Worth It for a Small or Mid-Size Shop?
The signs your shop is ready for robotic welding, how to estimate the payback and which cell fits your parts.
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Press Brake Tonnage: How to Calculate It and Choose the Right Machine
The tonnage formula, a chart for mild steel, material factors and the mistakes that cost you capacity, plus how to choose the right press…
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3kW vs 6kW vs 12kW Fiber Laser: What Thickness Can Each Cut?
Maximum cutting thickness by laser power, with oxygen/nitrogen and with compressed air, and how to choose the right power for your shop.
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Handheld Laser Welding vs MIG vs TIG: Why More Shops Are Switching to Laser
Faster welds, less distortion and almost no grinding: how handheld laser welding compares with MIG and TIG.
Categories
- Automation (2)
- Bending (2)
- Gantry (1)
- Laser Cutting (3)
- Welding (2)
500+
fiber laser cutting machines installed. Talk to an engineer about your parts, materials and volumes.