Laser cutting is the most accurate process for precise cuts on just about any material. Laser cutting is the use of a high-powered laser to cut materials to exact specifications set in the controlling software of the laser cutting machines. The digital settings are converted by the software and administered by the laser for clean and precise cuts. Laser converting applications are used to perform through cuts, kiss-cuts, laser perforation, scores, laser etches, laser ablations, laser welding, and drilling.
Laser metal cutting machine is a much more efficient process than mechanical tooling and cutting because it costs less and is much more accurate. The digital control allows for unlimited cutting paths and easy cutting pattern changes that would simply not be practical on a mechanical machine. The laser performs the cut by melting, burning, or vaporizing away the material and leaving a sharp, clean edge. Materials that can be processed by laser cutting include paper and paper board, adhesive tapes, plastics, films, textiles, abrasives, metals, and photovoltaics.
There are two main types of lasers used for cutting services, the CO2 laser, and the YAG laser. The CO2 laser is used for cutting, boring, and engraving. These lasers are created using radio frequency energy and are used for industrial cutting of mild steel, aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, paper, wax, plastics, wood, and fabrics. CO2 lasers have four different variants, fast axial flow, slow axial flow, transverse flow, and slab.
Laser cutting has many advantages over mechanical cutting. The labor involved is less intensive and it is much more cost-effective. The precision of the cut is better because the laser does not wear during cutting and there is less chance of the material being cut warping or becoming contaminated. Lasers can also cut through more kinds of materials than mechanical cutters and have controlling software to ensure accuracy. Some companies offer professional laser cutting services for all industrial cutting needs.
Being able to control a broad range of laser parameters precisely helps transform a flat sheet of metal into numerous parts with a variety of characteristics without the need for tooling. Read on to learn about the advantages of laser metal cutter over mechanical cutting.
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Cleaner Cuts
Lasers allow for smaller and cleaner cuts, with complex detail and good edge quality in sheet metal or round, square, rectangular, and/or triangular tubing. Unlike mechanical cutting, cuts are burr-free and can be incredibly intricate. Lasers can also be used to accurately cut wood, plastics, ceramics, or wax.
3D laser cutting is also available for parts with unique hole geometries and CNC laser cutting is available for creating curves and creating complex 3D structures. 6-axis laser cutting capabilities allow for cuts at any desired angle for weld prep, plus achieve the highest accuracy for easy fit-up of assemblies – all in a single program cycle.
Greater Accuracy – Less Wasted Metal
Mechanical cutting involves contamination and wear and tear of the blades on the cutting machines, but lasers have no actual surface to wear out, so they can cut as many identical products as you need without wearing them out. Laser cutting also produces greater consistency from part to part. And laser cutting isn’t just for cutting out parts. Lasers can cut holes straight through the metal, etch, or even counter-sink holes.
Additionally, because the metal cutting machine is so precise there is less wasted material surrounding the cut. And even furthermore, because there are fewer wasted materials, you can cut down on the time and effort it takes to clean up every day.
Minimal Operator Intervention
Laser machines are fairly easy to use and don’t require a large amount of skill or training. With newer, modern-day laser cutting machines the number of steps that require human action has been dramatically reduced, allowing for more efficient part nesting capability due to greater programming flexibility.
Quicker Production
The most laser equipment also comes with automatic load/unload features, adding efficiency for the lasers to run while an employee is on break or at lunch, and allowing for much quicker production of items.
By using lasers you will have the precision parts you need much quicker and more cost-effectively than with other types of machines. Lasers can be used to cut carbon steel up to 1″, stainless steel up to 0.5″, and aluminum up to 0.375″.
