---
title: The Optimal Way to Cut Sheet Metal for Duct Fabrication
description: Because of many features and benefits it offers, the Lockformer Vulcan® Fiber Laser Cutting System is the optimal way to produce sheet metal HVAC fittings.
image: https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/hubfs/Mestek%20Machinery%20Blog%20Images/Laser-Max-1.5-1.png
---
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# The Optimal Way to Cut Sheet Metal for Duct Fabrication
Feb 2, 2021 | by Mike Bailey
In the HVAC duct and fittings fabrication industry, your productivity — and by extension, your profits — are tied to the efficiency of your systems and software. When you're looking to improve efficiency, one place to start is with your machinery, and more specifically, your metal cutting equipment. Metal cutting is a crucial step that affects the quality of your finished product, and choosing the right machine for the job will help you avoid bottlenecks in your operations. Because of the many features and benefits it offers, the [Lockformer Vulcan® Fiber Laser Cutting System](https://mestekmachinery.com/machinery-and-equipment/lockformer-vulcan-fiber-laser-cutting-system/) is the optimal way to produce sheet metal HVAC fittings.
While many fabricators choose a plasma cutting system for their duct forming operations, the [Lockformer Vulcan® Fiber Laser Cutting System](https://mestekmachinery.com/machinery-and-equipment/lockformer-vulcan-fiber-laser-cutting-system/) is actually the more advanced option for sheet metal cutting from a variety of standpoints. The advantages of a laser cutter over a plasma alternative include:
- Cut speed up to 2.5 to 3X faster than a conventional plasma cutter
- Open architecture coil fed systems
- Cut quality like that of hi definition plasma cutting system
- Minimal exhaust unlike a conventional plasma cutter
- Cool to touch clean parts unlike that of a conventional plasma cutter
- Consumable cost can be less than that of a conventional plasma cutter
- Footprint like that of a conventional plasma cutter
- Uses less heat, so edges are not hardened, leading to less wear and tear on other machinery
When you choose the [Vulcan® Fiber Laser Cutting System](https://mestekmachinery.com/machinery-and-equipment/lockformer-vulcan-fiber-laser-cutting-system/) as your sheet metal cutting solution for duct and fittings fabrication, you get many of the benefits of plasma cutting with the added advantages of a laser cutter. When you're looking to add value and efficiency to your duct forming operations, the [Lockformer Vulcan® Fiber Laser Cutting System](https://mestekmachinery.com/machinery-and-equipment/lockformer-vulcan-fiber-laser-cutting-system/) is the optimal choice.
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