What is laser cutting?

Answer 1

Laser cutting is a technology that uses a laser to cut materials, and is typically used for industrial manufacturing applications, but is also starting to be used by schools, small businesses, and hobbyists. Laser cutting works by directing the output of a high-power laser most commonly through optics. The laser optics and CNC (computer numerical control) are used to direct the material or the laser beam generated. A typical commercial laser for cutting materials would involve a motion control system to follow a CNC or G-code of the pattern to be cut onto the material. The focused laser beam directed at the material, which then either melts, burns, vaporizes away, or is blown away by a jet of gas,[1] leaving an edge with a high-quality surface finish. Industrial laser cutters are used to cut flat-sheet material as well as structural and piping materials.

Answer 2

What is Laser Cutting

The invention of the laser cutter is attributed to Kumar Patel, who began his research in laser action when he joined Bell Labs in 1961. In 1963, he developed the first CO2 laser, which is the variant with more modern applications than any other type of laser. CO2 lasers are for engraving materials ranging from acrylic and plywood to cardboard and MDF.

It can be easy to operate a laser cutter these days. Though the technology itself is the result of astounding feats of genius, the user interface has developed in a user-friendly way. It is common for hobbyists, school science classrooms and businesses to employ the use of laser cutters. They’re not just useful — they are a spectacular way to learn about optics and the properties of light.

Simply put, The laser beam is created by the stimulation of lasing materials through electrical discharges or lamps inside a closed container. The lasing material is amplified by being reflected internally via a partial mirror until its energy is enough for it to escape as a stream of coherent monochromatic light. This light is focused at the work area by mirrors or fibre optics that direct the beam through a lens which intensifies it.

At its narrowest point, a laser beam is typically under 0.0125 inches (0.32 mm) in diameter, but kerf widths as small as 0.004 inches (0.10mm) are possible depending on material thickness.

Where the laser cutting process needs to start anywhere other than the edge of the material, a piercing process is used, whereby a high power pulsed laser makes a hole in the material, for example taking no more than 0.5 second to burn through a 10 mm acrylic sheet.

Laser cutting is an incredible technology that serves a huge chunk of the world’s industries. Its benefits continue to grow in number as the technology improves and as more applications find it useful. Here is a list of reasons why it is so popular at the moment:

Laser cutting offers a number of advantages over other processes, such as reduced contamination and easier workholding. Precision can also see improvements with lasers as the beam does not wear down during the cutting process, while materials are also less prone to warping with laser cutting. Lasers allow for the cutting of materials that may be difficult to cut using other methods.

Laser processes also provide consistently high levels of precision and accuracy with little room for human error, creating less wastage, lower energy use and subsequently lower costs.

Laser cutting can be used to etch complex designs on smaller parts while still leaving material free of burrs and with a clean cut. There is also less workpiece contamination with laser cutting than with other processes.

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From KASU Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.