Laser Cutting Machines are machines that produce a high powered laser beam in order to cut or etch customized designs into certain types of materials. These materials vary between different kinds of steel, woods, and plastics. It works by vaporizing the edge of a material resulting in a clean cut edge.
Laser Cutting Machine
The advantages of using a laser beam are that they create better precision on complex works as well as reduce the contamination of the piece. Some materials can be very difficult or near impossible to cut therefore a laser machine reduces the chance of a material warping when being cut in comparison to other cutting machinery, reducing any possible contamination of a workpiece. As well, a laser machine allows cutting small holes and complex details that other machinery might not be able to do. The main disadvantage of a laser machine is that it is very expensive to maintain. There are three main types of laser machines; that being CO2 (Gas) lasers, Crystal lasers, and Fiber lasers.
Laser Cutting Machine in use
CO2 (Gas) Lasers are best used for cutting nonmetals or engraving metals as it uses a technique of carbon dioxide mixed laser. This is known as the oldest method of laser machines. These lasers are mainly used for industrial cutting on materials such as titanium, stainless steel, mild steel, aluminum, plastic, wood, engineered wood, wax, fabrics, and paper.
Crystal Lasers allow processing of both metal and non-metal materials through the method of crystal mediums which allows for high-powered metal cutting capabilities. This is a more expensive method of laser cutting as well as has a shorter lifespan.
Fiber Lasers feature the newest technology regarding cutting methods. Fiber lasers use a stronger, more focused beam which is ideal for cutting heavier metals as well as creating lower production costs.
Laser Machines work by directing the output of a high-power laser most commonly through optics. Moreover, the laser beam is generally focused using a high-quality lens on the material being worked on. This is a non-contact process, meaning the beam doesn't touch the material being cut.
Materials that can be used with a Laser Machine
These machines can be used to create engravings, markings, etchings, and cuts on a variety of materials such as metals, woods, plastic, cardboard, paper, cork, or glass. Some of the methods for cutting are vaporization, melt and blow, melt blow and burn, thermal stress cracking, scribing, cold cutting and burning stabilized laser cutting. Although laser machines can work with such a large amount of materials, there are a few materials that you should avoid. This includes wood coated with resin or oils, epoxy, fiberglass, coated carbon fiber, polypropylene, milk bottle plastic, ABS, PVC/artificial leather/pleather/vinyl, or thick (>1mm) polycarbonate.
With these different uses that a laser machine can produce on a variety of materials, comes a variety of creations. Laser Machines can be used to create wood burning, plaque engraving, cut out designs, and an assortment of laser cut wood projects.
Wood Burning Plaque Engraving
Cut out design
Laser Machine art projects
