Laser Cutting

Laser Cutting produces exact cuts in virtually any shape, at any angle, and through materials that would destroy or be destroyed by contact cutting tools. Features include:
• Flat sheet cutting
• Extremely sharp edge definition
• 5-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

Laser Cutting Facts

Laser Cutting Advantages
• No cutting lubricants required
• No mechanical force on workpiece
• No tool wear
• Very fine cut width
• Narrow heat affected zone
• Low thermal input

Laser Cutting Limitations
• 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

How A Laser Machine Works
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.

	Laser Diagram

The solid-state laser utilizes a single crystal rod with parallel, flat ends. Both ends have 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 is of single wavelength, thus allowing for minimum divergence.

One hundred percent of the laser light will be reflected off the rear mirror and thirty to fifty percent will pass through the front mirror, continuing on through the shutter assembly to the angled mirror and down through the focusing lens to the workpiece.

The laser light beam is coherent and has a high energy content. When focused on a surface, laser light creates the heat used for welding, cutting and drilling.

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.