What is laser cutting?

Laser cutting is a thermal processing technology that uses a high-energy-density laser beam as a "cutting tool."

A focused laser beam can quickly heat a metal or non-metal material to the point of melting, vaporizing, or reaching its ignition point. A high-pressure gas stream (oxygen, nitrogen, air, etc.) then blows away the melt, creating a slit.

In short: laser cutting = laser beam + focusing lens + assist gas + CNC system. It is characterized by high speed, narrow kerf, and high precision.

What are the different types of laser cutting technology?

Common laser cutting methods, depending on the material removal method, include:

1. CO2 Laser Cutting

In CO2 laser cutting, laser amplification is provided by CO2 gas emissions. CO2 lasers are one of the earliest and most popular types of lasers.

Gas emissions are not limited to CO2. They can also include CO2, nitrogen, hydrogen, xenon, and helium.

CO2 laser cutting has two options: using oxygen or nitrogen. Oxygen is preferred for laser cutting thicker materials, while nitrogen is preferred for laser cutting thin sheets.

CO2 oxygen laser cutting forms an oxide layer on the cut surface. To avoid this, pre-treatment of the workpiece, such as sandblasting, is required.

2. Fiber Laser Cutting

Fiber laser cutting uses optical fibers for light amplification, rather than traditional gas discharge. Light from a semiconductor laser tube passes through the fiber. The resulting beam is strong enough to melt stainless steel up to 1 cm thick.

The beam is often accompanied by a powerful airflow system. The airflow pushes the molten material away, resulting in a clean cut. The optical fibers of these lasers utilize various elements, such as ytterbium, neodymium, erbium, and dysprosium.

3. Nd:YAG Laser Cutting

The Nd:YAG (neodymium:yttrium aluminum garnet) laser is a solid-state laser whose active material is a yttrium aluminum garnet crystal (YAG crystal) doped with a small amount of neodymium (Nd).

This laser can be pulsed or continuous, emitting infrared light at a specific wavelength, typically 1064 nm.

The laser source is focused to a spot size of a few tenths of a millimeter by a lens in the cutting head, melting the material, typically metal. A coaxial gas flow "blows" the melt downward, creating the cut in the process.

4. Excimer Laser Cutting

Excimer lasers are used to precisely cut materials. The laser beam is computer-controlled, using the energy of the laser photons to break the chemical bonds of tissue molecules, vaporizing the tissue and achieving the cutting effect.

5. Direct Diode Laser Cutting

This laser is based on the stimulated emission of radiation effect in semiconductor materials. In semiconductor materials, when electrons jump from a high energy level to a low energy level, they release energy

which is emitted as photons

Semiconductor laser tubes use a specific structural design and doping process to repeatedly amplify and enhance these photons within the semiconductor, ultimately forming a bright, highly coherent beam.

Cuttable Materials

Metals: Carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, titanium alloy, etc.

Non-metals: Plastics, wood, ceramics, glass, plexiglass, cloth, rubber

Composites: Sandwich materials, coated metals

Note: Highly reflective materials (such as pure copper, gold, and silver) are sensitive to lasers and require specialized lasers (such as fiber lasers) or auxiliary methods.

What are the advantages of laser cutting?

Compared to traditional mechanical cutting methods, laser cutting machines have the following advantages:

1.Fast Cutting Speed:Laser cutting machines use a high-power density laser beam, enabling them to cut extremely thin and thick materials in a very short time, compared to the much longer time required by traditional mechanical cutting methods.

2.High Cutting Accuracy: Laser cutting machines offer exceptionally high precision, achieving very precise cutting dimensions and edge quality. Traditional mechanical cutting methods have lower precision and may result in cutting deviations and burrs.

3.Wide Range of Cutting Materials: Laser cutting machines can cut a wide range of metal and non-metal materials, including carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum alloys, and plastics. Traditional mechanical cutting methods can only cut some harder materials, such as steel and cast iron.

4.Environmentally friendly and energy-saving: Laser cutting machines have low energy consumption and do not produce smoke or harmful gases, making them an environmentally friendly and energy-saving cutting method. However, traditional mechanical cutting methods consume high energy and produce a large amount of smoke and harmful gases.

5.Ability to cut complex shapes:Laser cutting machines can cut a variety of complex shapes, such as three-dimensional parts and special-shaped parts. Traditional mechanical cutting methods can only cut objects with traditional shapes.

What is laser processing used for?

1.Drilling: Lasers can be used to create precise, small holes in materials, such as micron-scale holes in circuit boards.

2.Marking and Cutting: Lasers can be used for a variety of processing methods, including marking and cutting, and are suitable for precision processing of a wide range of materials.

3.Line Ablation (Coating Removal): Lasers can be used to precisely remove coatings without damaging or minimally damaging the substrate.

4.Lasers can modify the physical properties of a material's surface, such as creating a hydrophobic or hydrophilic surface.

5.Engraving: Lasers can be used for three-dimensional processing methods, such as engraving, and are suitable for creating products with complex shapes.