Introduction To Laser Cutting

A laser cutter applies a beam from a laser to cut through a material with the assistance of a computer system to give the laser cutter instructions. The laser approaches the material undergoing cutting from the side. If there isn’t an edge of a material to approach, then a puncture can be produced. The laser beam is concentrated and pulsed onto the object to be sliced so that a puncture is producted and cutting can be continued. Oftentimes, a spray of air, oil or water onto the object happens subsequent to the cutting to clean away left-behind steel. It can also stop “splash back” of material onto the cutting lens. Laser beams are concentrated by the use of lenses. A laser beam can be concentrated enough to be 0.004 inch. Lasers require a vast amount of energy to function. This may be the only disadvantage that they have in the environment for manufacturing. Lasers can cut a large amount of materials such as steel, wood, aluminum foam, plastic, fabric, leather, paper, vinyl, film, acrylic, rubber, ceramics and glass.

Laser Categories

One category of laser is a CO2 laser. In this type of laser, a gas mixture is brought to an energized state so that the laser to function. The mixture contains the elements nitrogen, helium and carbon. Another category of laser used in laser cutting is a neodymium (Nd) laser. This laser employs the exact employability as the CO2 laser, but uses a crystal with diminutive quantities of neodymium in it rather than a mixture of gas for the medium. A third category of laser is the laser referred to as neodymium yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd-YAG). The difference between this laser and the neodymium laser is only in functionality. The neodymium laser has a sluggish repetition speed and can be employed in high energy applications and for boring. Nd-YAG is used for engraving and boring but is very high energy.

Cutting Methods

There are various ways that a laser slices an object. In vaporization, which is for objects like metals that are non-ferrous, the material is heated faster than it can dissipate the heat and vaporization occurs. The material reaches a very high temperature, 50,000 degrees, the cut or kerf becomes longer, and vaporization continues. In the cutting process known as melt and blow, a high pressure gas blows the molten substance away from the cutting area. The material that is cut is usually a metal. In thermal stress cracking, a delicate material comes into contact with the heat from the laser and a stress crack is produced. The crack is followed through with the laser beam to complete the cut. This process is mainly used during glass cutting. There are many other procedures of laser cutting as well.

Benefits of Using a Laser Cutter

By employing a laser beam to slice, the object is not contaminated during the cutting process since the material being cut does not come into physical contact with a cutting tool. The use of the laser cutter also hurries up the production line actions. The light beam is also very accurate, offering a very precise cut. There is reduced wear and tear on the machinery involved because there is no wear involved on the laser. This also saves money since there is less restoration involved in the machinery. From engraving to cutting, laser cutters have many applications and there are many advantages to employing a laser in the cutting process in a manufacturing environment.

Marc Anderes is the VP of Operations of Maloya Laser which specializes in Metal Manufacturing and Laser Cutting with advanced laser technologies, servicing machinery, aerospace, medical, scientific and transportation requirements.

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