laser cutting
Laser cutting is a technology that uses a laser to cut different types of materials, mainly metals such as carbon steel, aluminum, stainless steel, and copper alloys. It is widely used in the metal fabrication industry to increase cutting speed and cutting capacity, reduce production costs, increase productivity, and improve cutting quality.
A laser or LASER (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) is a device that generates a highly concentrated monochromatic and coherent light beam. Light is produced through the process of stimulated emission.
Among the most used lasers in cutting is the carbon dioxide laser (CO2 laser), a type of gas laser that is also used in welding. It is capable of outputting a maximum of 100 kilowatts at 9.6 µm and 10.6 µm and cutting 20-30 m of one millimeter thick material in one minute.
The cut is made by aiming the energy produced by the high power laser at a small portion of the object to be cut. That small portion is pierced first before a cut is made.
Starting from the small hole, a cut is created by moving the beam through the area of the material being cut or by moving the object while the laser is held still. One can employ both methods. As the intense beam of light hits the part of the object or material, the temperature of the material increases, causing it to melt, burn, and evaporate even without a sufficient amount of heat.
Not all materials require the same amount of laser power (the speed at which light delivers energy). Thicker materials require more laser power, while thinner materials require less laser power. Carbon dioxide laser cutting is typically done with 1,000 to 1,500 watts. Materials like steel need more than two kW.
Compared to other metal cutting procedures, laser cutting is much more advantageous, although it also has some disadvantages. Its main advantages are precision, cutting quality, cutting speed and economy. Among its disadvantages is its high voltage requirement. There is also the risk of serious burns from the laser beam.