Kylmäleikkaus

Kylmäleikkaus, also known as cold cutting, refers to a group of non-thermal cutting processes used to separate materials without generating significant heat. These methods are employed across various industries where heat-induced changes to the material's properties are undesirable. Common techniques include abrasive waterjet cutting, which uses a high-pressure stream of water mixed with abrasive particles to erode the material. Another method is mechanical cutting, such as sawing or shearing, which relies on physical force to divide the material. Electrical discharge machining (EDM) can also be considered a cold cutting process in certain applications, although it involves electrical sparks, the heat is localized and does not significantly alter the bulk material properties.

The advantages of kylmäleikkaus are numerous. It prevents thermal distortion, metallurgical changes like hardening or embrittlement, and the formation of a heat-affected zone (HAZ). This makes it ideal for cutting heat-sensitive materials such as certain plastics, composites, food products, and specialized alloys. Furthermore, it can achieve very precise cuts with smooth edges, often eliminating the need for secondary finishing operations. The absence of heat also enhances safety by reducing the risk of fires or explosions, especially when working with flammable materials. While often slower than thermal cutting methods, the benefits in material integrity and precision make kylmäleikkaus a crucial technology in many manufacturing and processing environments.