Laser optical systems and CNC systems are used to guide materials or generate laser beams.
Laser cutting is a technology that uses laser to cut materials, usually used in industrial manufacturing applications. The working principle of laser cutting is generally to guide high-power laser output through optical devices.
here are three main types of lasers for laser cutting
Fiber Laser Cutting
It can be used for both flat cutting and oblique cutting, with neat and smooth edges, suitable for high-precision cutting of materials such as metal plates.
CO2 Laser Cutting
Carbon oxide laser is suitable for industrial cutting of many materials, including titanium, stainless steel, low-carbon steel, aluminum, plastics, wood, engineering wood, wax, fabrics, and paper.
There are many different methods for laser cutting, and different types are used to cut different materials.
Rapid Prototyping
In laser melting cutting, the workpiece material partially melts under the laser beam, and the molten liquid material is blown away by gas, creating cutting seams and cutting in the liquid. Therefore, it is called melting cutting.
Oxidative cutting
Laser oxidation cutting uses oxygen as an auxiliary gas to undergo chemical changes with hot metal materials, releasing a large amount of heat flow and further cutting off the material.
Vaporization cutting
The focus power density of the laser beam is high, and the laser energy is converted into thermal energy. The material is quickly heated to the evaporation temperature, with some materials evaporating and some materials assisting in gas blowing away.
Guided fracture cutting
For brittle materials that are prone to thermal damage, high-speed laser beam heating and controllable fracture are called guided fracture cutting.
The positioning accuracy of the laser cutting machine is 10 microns, and the repeatability accuracy is 5 microns.
The laser cutting process can maintain very small tolerances, typically within 0.001 inches (0.025 millimeters). The geometric shape of the parts is closely related to the mechanical reliability and tolerances of the machine. The typical surface finish produced by laser beam cutting ranges from 125 to 250 micro inches (0.003 mm to 0.006 mm）
Laser cutting materialsThe materials used for laser cutting include metal, plastic, and acrylic fibers. Can cut materials with different strengths, weights, and thermal properties.
Types | Material | Advantage |
Metal | Aluminum/stainless steel/steel/copper | Metal, as the most commonly used laser cutting material, has high strength and durability, optimal thickness, and customizability. |
Plastics | Polymethyl methacrylate/Delrin/polyethylene/polypropylene/styrene/organic glass/Polyester film (polyester). | Polymethyl methacrylateDelrinpolyethylenepolypropylenestyreneorganic glassPolyester film (polyester) |
Acrylic | PMMA (Acrylic) | PMMA is a transparent thermoplastic with good chemical stability, mechanical properties, and weather resistance. This material is also easy to process and dye. |
Name | Description | Materials | Color |
Anodizing | Improving corrosion resistance/wear resistance/hardness can protect metal surfaces. Widely used in mechanical components, automotive components, precision instruments and meters, etc. | Aluminum | Clear, black, grey, red, blue, gold. |
Powder Coating | Powder coatings are usually electrostatically applied and then cured under heating or ultraviolet light. They are coatings applied in the form of free flowing dry powder. | Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Steel | Black, any RAL code or Pantone number |
Electroplating | Electroplating can be functional, decorative or corrosion-related. Many industries use the process, including the automotive sector, in which chrome-plating of steel automobile parts is common. | Aluminum, steel, stainless steel | n/a |
Polishing | Polishing is the process of creating a smooth and shiny surface, either through physical rubbing of the part or by chemical interference. | Aluminum, Brass, Stainless Steel, Steel | n/a |
