The Functioning of Laser Cutting Machines
Knowledge

The Functioning of Laser Cutting Machines

Laser cutting technology Compared with traditional cutting, the laser cutting process has better accuracy, and precise details are cut through a high-intensity laser beam.
Published: Aug 31, 2023
The Functioning of Laser Cutting Machines

Laser Cutting in Recent Application

Laser cutting is a technology that uses a laser to slice materials. While typically used for industrial manufacturing applications, it is also starting to be used by schools, small businesses, and hobbyists. Laser cutting works by directing the output of a high-power laser most commonly through optics. The laser optics and CNC (computer numerical control) are used to direct the material or the laser beam generated. The focused laser beam is directed at the material, which then either melts, burns vaporize away, or is blown away by a jet of gas, leaving an edge with a high-quality surface finish.

Why "Laser" Is Used for Cutting?

Lasers are used for many purposes. One way they are used is for cutting metal plates. On mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum plate, the laser cutting process is highly accurate, yields excellent cut quality has a very small kerf width and small heat affect zone, and makes it possible to cut very intricate shapes and small holes.

Most people already know that the word “LASER” is actually an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. But how does light cut through a steel plate?

The laser beam is a column of very high-intensity light, of a single wavelength, or color. In the case of a typical CO2 laser, that wavelength is in the Infra-Red part of the light spectrum, so it is invisible to the human eye. The beam is only about 3/4 of an inch in diameter as it travels from the laser resonator, which creates the beam, through the machine’s beam path. It may be bounced in different directions by a number of mirrors, or “beam benders”, before it is finally focused onto the plate. The focused laser beam goes through the bore of a nozzle right before it hits the plate. Also flowing through that nozzle bore is a compressed gas, such as Oxygen or Nitrogen.

How Does A Laser Cutting Machine Work?

A laser cutting machine performs a cutting process by emitting a beam of high-intensity laser light having a single wavelength or color. As the laser beam travels from the laser resonator through the path of the machine, it may be focused by a special mirror, lens, curved mirror or beam bender onto a working cutting point on the object.

精确聚焦激光束的增加the thermal density to a very high level, and its high power density allows it to be heated quickly to melt and cut. Wherein the laser beam is added with compressed gas, such as oxygen or nitrogen, the laser beam will initially dissolve the material, while the high-pressure gas will melt the molten metal out of the crack, while the CNC laser cutting machine controls the laser cutting head, which is calculated first. The moving path moves, and the distance between the laser head and the object also needs to be accurately calculated, which is the operation of the laser cutting machine.

The advantage of laser cutting technology compared to general mechanical cutting is that the cutting precision is higher, and the cutting process does not need to contact the object, and the pollution of the object can be reduced and the friction consumption of the laser cutting machine itself can be better maintained. Laser cutting technology, on the other hand, has a small heat-affected zone and is therefore capable of precision or more complex cutting requirements. Laser cutting is a stable, reliable, and very accurate cutting process.

Published by Aug 31, 2023 Source:esabnaSource:wikipediaSource:esabna

Further reading

You might also be interested in ...

Headline
Knowledge
Understanding the Role of Rotary Broaching
Rotary broaches (also known as oscillating or hexagonal broaches) are one of the commonly used CNC tools in metal-cutting production. It is used to process polygonal parts and inner holes (especially suitable for blind holes) and other special-shaped inner holes.
Headline
Knowledge
Frequently Employed Processing Techniques
In the field of manufacturing processing, common processing methods include broaching, boring, grinding, milling, etc.
Headline
Knowledge
What Constitutes Pneumatic Tools: Components, Pros, and Cons?
A pneumatic tool is a device that uses compressed air from an air compressor as the power source for the tool. Pneumatic tools are very sturdy and because they do not use electricity, can be used in areas where the tool may be exposed to inflammable, explosive, dusty, or humid, harsh environments. Owing to their high stability, long working life, and easy maintenance, they are widely used in industrial fields.
Headline
Knowledge
What Purpose Do Vernier Calipers Serve?
One of the tools a mechanic must use is a caliper. Although not as accurate as a micrometer, the caliper is a convenient and practical tool that can help mechanics quickly measure parts and use the measurement results to evaluate subsequent processing.
Headline
Knowledge
How Familiar Are You with Hardware Fasteners?
When it comes to fasteners, everyone seems to know a little bit about it. After all, hardware such as screws and nuts are commonplace in life. Fasteners are widely used in many industries and the degree of standardization, serialization and generalization is extremely high.
Headline
Knowledge
What Types of Stamping Press Machines Exist and Their Respective Functions?
Metal stamping machines can be divided into hydraulic presses and mechanical presses, and both are often used in industrial metal forging applications.
Headline
Knowledge
What Constitutes A Boring Machine and Its Various Types?
Boring Machine is different from other machine tools and mainly suitable for boring machine processing.
Headline
Knowledge
What Types of Sawing Tools Are Available and How Are They Utilized?
Saw tool is a common hand tool, divided into hand saws and electric power saws, which facilitates our simple sawing needs. Among them, hand saws are divided into many different types, and suitable hand saw tools can be selected according to different needs.
Headline
Knowledge
Understanding Automation: Defining its Essence and 5 Key Values to Grasp
The emergence of automation has had a great impact on many industries. Many highly repetitive factory operations may restrict production capacity. With the introduction of Industry 4.0, various technologies have led to the automation of production lines, from the supplying of raw materials, to assembly, distribution, and packaging. People are taking notice of these very important developments, and this article will explore some of these new forms of automation, and the value they bring.
Headline
Knowledge
The Emergence of Hyperautomation: Unraveling its Significance
Hyperautomation is the use of the power of multiple technologies to achieve end-to-end automation. Hyperautomation is the process of continuously integrating automation into an organization's business processes, combining advanced technologies such as robotic process automation (RPA), artificial intelligence, and machine learning to enhance the results of human work. Not only does it automate key processes, but it also builds an automation ecosystem that finds more processes that can be automated without human intervention.
Headline
Knowledge
Exploring the Power of Cubic Boron Nitride in Cutting Applications
Cubic Boron Nitride (CBN) turning tools are tightly sintered from boron nitride and tungsten carbide bases. The hardness of boron nitride is next to PCD. It has excellent chemical stability and will not produce affinity with iron, cobalt, and nickel-based metals. Therefore, it is especially suitable for work hardening steel, with a hardness above HRC45. Chilled cast iron and heat-resistant steel (Inconel) are also suitable.
Headline
Knowledge
Understanding Capacitors: Key Components in Electrical Systems
Capacitors are used in AC circuits and pulse circuits. In DC circuits, capacitors generally play the role of blocking DC.
Agree