Laser cutting is a technique that uses a laser to vaporize the material to complete the cut. The laser beam strikes the surface of the material and heats it intensely, causing it to melt or vaporize. Once the laser beam has completely penetrated the material at a certain point, the actual cutting process begins.

Laser Cutting

Laser cutting works by directing a high power laser output, most often through optics. Laser optics and computer numerical control are used to guide the material or the resulting laser beam. Typically, the process uses a motion control system to follow the CNC or G-code to the pattern to be cut into the material. The focused laser beam is aimed at the material and then melts, burns, evaporates, or is blown away by gas, leaving an edge with a high quality surface finish.

A laser cutter is a type of CNC machine that obtains its operating commands through a computer language. Although it is typically used in industrial manufacturing, as the price of laser cutting machines has fallen, it has also begun to be used by small businesses, construction and hobbyists.

Types and applications of laser cutting machines
There are three main types of laser cutting machines: CO2, neodymium and fiber optic. Each of the different types has its own advantages and areas of use.

CO2 laser cutting machine
The CO2 laser cutting machine is the most common type because it is affordable and has unique advantages in cutting non-metals.

The core component of a CO2 laser cutting machine is a long, vacuum-sealed tube filled with gas, mainly CO2, with some nitrogen mixed in. When the laser tube is energized, it excites the gas molecules and produces an intense light.

The laser beam is emitted from one end of the laser tube and reflected in a series of lenses. Eventually, the focusing lens focuses the light to a very hot location. The laser beam then follows the geometry given by the system and cuts a range of materials through thermal separation.

The CO2 laser cutting machine can complete the process of engraving, cutting and hollowing on a range of non-metallic materials such as wood, acrylic, fabric, leather, paper, etc. Therefore, it is very popular in the advertising industry, garment industry, handicraft processing and luggage making industry.

Fiber Laser Cutting Machine
Fiber laser is a solid-state laser that is growing rapidly in the metal cutting industry. Unlike CO2, fiber optic technology uses a solid gain medium rather than a gas or liquid. With a wavelength of just 1064 nm, fiber lasers can produce extremely small spot sizes (up to 100 times smaller compared to CO2), making them ideal for cutting reflective metal materials. This is one of the main advantages of fiber over CO2.

Fiber laser cutting machines specialize in cutting metals such as stainless steel, carbon steel, brass, copper, aluminum, galvanized sheet metal and other materials. This is because fiber laser cutting machines provide clean cuts and smooth surfaces. Fiber laser cutting metal is widely used for parts and structural shapes, including hardware workpieces, cell phone cases, bodywork, construction materials, etc.

Advantages of laser cutting machine
The use and development of laser cutting machines has revolutionized the manufacturing industry. They can perfectly create designs that are produced on a computer in a matter of minutes. Laser cutting has unique advantages compared to other cutting processes.

Small cutting seam and high cut quality

Laser cutting creates a cutting slit that is only larger than the laser beam itself. This allows very fine results to be obtained when cutting geometric patterns of any shape. In addition, a CCD camera can be configured in the CO2 laser cutting machine. It creates positioning marks and automatically compensates for the cut path, enabling fast and precise cutting even of irregular patterns.

The non-contact processing produces neither tool wear nor damage to the workpiece.

Laser cutting uses a laser beam to thermally separate the material. The laser cutting head is not in direct contact with the material during the entire process and does not wear out the tool like other cutting tools. This saves on consumable costs. Because of the non-contact processing, no forces are applied to the material surface, which does not cause any damage to the workpiece.

Fast cutting speed

Laser cutting machines are less affected by the environment and can achieve high energy output and fast cutting speed in a short period of time. Especially fiber laser cutting machine has an irreplaceable role in the metal cutting process. No tools are required to fix the metal plate during processing, saving time for clamping workpieces and improving workshop efficiency.

Laser cutting machines are commonly used in today's industry for cutting various materials. When using the laser cutting process, take care to choose the right laser power and set the correct cutting parameters, which will give you unparalleled workpiece quality.

This article explains how laser cutting machines work and which materials the different types of machines are suitable for. Find out which laser cutting machine you need for your shop and get help by communicating online now.