A laser is a device that emits a coherent, concentrated beam of light. Its high energy and precision make it an ideal tool for cutting a wide range of materials.
Laser cutting can be used for cut metals, such as stainless steel, aluminum and copper, as well as plastics and polymers. The laser cutting process uses a concentrated laser beam to melt or vaporize material at a precise point, thus creating a precise and clean cutting line. It can be used to engrave on a wide range of materials, including metals, wood, glass and plastic. Laser engraving uses a low-power laser beam to gently heat the material and create an engraved image or text.
Laser cutting is a highly precise and repeatable process, with cutting tolerances generally less than 0.1 mm. Furthermore, it is a highly automated process, which allows large quantities of material to be cut efficiently and with high repeatability. It has been used in many fields, including mechanical engineering, electronic equipment manufacturing, automobile manufacturing, jewelry manufacturing and much more.
In summary, the laser is a versatile and precise tool used to cut and engrave a wide range of materials, from metals to polymers, from wood to glass, with cutting tolerances generally lower than 0.1 mm, and makes possible a high automation and repeatability.
Furthermore, it is an ecologically sustainable process as it does not require the use of mechanical tools or harmful chemicals during the cutting process. This makes it an ideal choice for industries looking to reduce their environmental impact. Laser cutting can be performed using different laser wavelengths, including CO2 laser, fiber optic laser and Nd laser: YAG. Each of these lasers has unique characteristics and specific advantages for certain materials and applications. For example, the CO2 laser is particularly suitable for cutting organic materials such as wood and plastic, while the fiber optic laser is particularly suitable for cutting metal.
What can’t the laser cut?
The laser is a highly precise and effective tool for cutting a wide range of materials, but there are some things it cannot cut. For example, laser is not effective for cutting highly reflective or absorbent materials such as gold or silver, as the laser light cannot penetrate deeply into materials and cannot generate the amount of heat needed to melt or vaporize the material.
Additionally, the laser is not effective for cutting materials that are not thermally conductive such as glass or quartz. Glass and quartz do not transmit the heat generated by the laser evenly, which makes it difficult to achieve a precise and clean cut.
Additionally, some materials can be difficult to cut due to their chemical composition or structure, such as high-performance composite materials or ceramic materials. In these cases, the laser may not be able to generate enough energy to cut the material precisely.
In summary, although the laser is a powerful and precise tool, there are some materials that it cannot cut, such as materials that are highly reflective, not thermally conductive, or with a structure that is difficult to cut.
