Laser Cutting
EBTEC utilizes 18 laser machines, capable of handling our customers' precision Laser Cutting needs, from prototype through large-scale production. Our machines utilize advanced CO2, YAG, and Fiber cutting technology, with output ranging from .400kw to 1.7kw, and can perform Laser Engraving on your finished components.
EBTEC strives to ensure fast, precise component fabrication and servicing for our customers. All of our laser cutting machines are CNC controlled; some utilize a bridge system with 5- or 6-axis control and others utilize a fully articulated wrist. In addition, EBTEC utilizes two airflow benches as part of our Quality Assurance Service for Laser Cutting and Laser Drilling.
About Laser Cutting
Laser Cutting is an advanced process that produces exact cuts in virtually any shape, at any angle, and through materials that would be destroyed by contact cutting tools. Some of the advantages customers gain in using EBTEC's Laser Cutting Service include:
- Flat sheet cutting
- Extremely sharp edge definition
- 5-axis and 6-axis laser control
- Ability to cut complex, three-dimensional shapes, corners, slots, and holes with high repeatability
- Minimum kerf width
- Ultra-low distortion
- No variations due to tool wear
- Alternative to cutting dies for low-volume production
The Value of Laser Cutting
Benefits of Laser Cutting Services:
- No cutting lubricants required
- No mechanical force on workpiece
- No tool wear
- Very fine cut width
- Narrow heat-affected zone
- Low thermal input
Limitations of Laser Cutting Services:
- Uneconomic on high volumes compared to stamping
- Limitations on thickness due to taper
- High capital cost
- High maintenance cost
- Assist or cover gas required
CLICK Here for Additional Laser Cutting Material Suitability
The Advanced Laser Cutting Process
The LASER, an acronym for "Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation," is a device that produces a concentrated, coherent beam of light by stimulating molecular or electronic transitions to lower energy levels, causing the emission of photons. In our Laser Cutting Services, a solid-state laser utilizes a single crystal rod with parallel, flat ends, with each end having reflective surfaces. A high-intensity light source, or flash tube, surrounds the crystal. When power is supplied by the PFN (pulse-forming network), an intense pulse of light (photons) will be released through one end of the crystal rod. The light being released in our Laser Cutting Services is of single wavelength, thus allowing for minimum divergence.
In our advanced Laser Cutting process, 100% of the laser light will be reflected off the rear mirror, and 30 to 50% will pass through the front mirror. The laser light will continue through the shutter assembly to the angled mirror and down through the focusing lens to the workpiece. The laser light beam in our Laser Cutting Service is coherent and has a high energy content. When focused on a surface, laser light creates the heat used for cutting.
The workpiece and the laser beam are manipulated by means of robotics. The laser beam can be adjusted to varying sizes and heat intensity, from .004 to .040 inches. The smaller size is used for cutting, drilling, and welding, and the larger for heat treating.