Laser cutting is a type of cutting using a high power laser beam. The technology has been developed steadily since the first laser cutting system became commercially available in the 1970s. Laser cutting has grown in popularity over the last several years primarily because of the growing sophistication of the laser machinery as well as the increased availability of laser cutting materials.
The primary advantage of laser cutting is the increased speed and accuracy with which material can be cut. Laser cutters use either a CO2 laser beam or a fiber laser beam to cut material. The intensity of the laser beam is able to cut through different types of materials, including metals and plastics. The high-pressure beam of the laser enables intricate and complex designs to be cut quickly and accurately.
The laser cutting process occurs when a high-precision beam of laser light is directed at the material to be cut. The laser light is focused onto a small area of the material which causes the material to be vaporized or burned. This process is known as ablation. The material being cut is either totally vaporized or merely melted and blown away by a jet of gas. Depending on the thickness of the material, different cutting speeds and wattages may be used.
The quality of the finished product is a major advantage of laser cutting when compared to other cutting tools. Laser cutters produce parts that have a consistently high level of accuracy, with a smooth, clean edge finish. The accuracy of the cuts is significantly higher than that of other traditional cutting methods, allowing for tighter tolerances and greater precision. This makes laser cutting better suited to produce high-precision, intricate designs that may be difficult to produce using mechanical cutting methods.
Laser cutting is extremely versatile and can be used to cut virtually any material. It is often used to cut metal, wood, acrylics and plastics. With a wide range of configurations and settings, it can also produce a multitude of different textures and patterns. The ability to cut precision components with a high degree of accuracy and repeatability is an important factor that makes laser cutting an essential part of many manufacturing processes.
Laser cutting is used in many industries, and it is employed in applications ranging from aerospace engineering to electronics manufacture. It is commonly used in the production of automobile body parts, furniture components, and jewelry. Laser cutting has also become increasingly popular for hobby and craft projects, as the ability to machine small items with high precision and relatively low cost is becoming more widely available.
In summary, laser cutting is a highly accurate and versatile method for cutting a wide range of materials. The high power of the laser beam allows for intricate, complex parts to be cut with the highest degree of precision and accuracy. The high level of accuracy makes laser cutting preferable for many manufacturing and fabrication processes. Laser cutting is also growing in popularity for hobbyist and craft projects with the increased availability of laser cutting machines.
