What Are The Benefits Of Laser Cutting?

By Author: Stuart Small
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Laser cutting is the process of cutting objects or materials by directing a laser beam against a metal surface. It’s a practical way to cut specific patterns in plastic, wood, metal, and any other material that is used by individuals for working. In this process a gaseous medium, basically carbon dioxide is released causing it to amplify light reflected back and forth multiple times inside the laser chamber. The light that emerges from an aperture is examined by a lens onto a particular point. In this particular cutting section a co axial gas jet will be used to release the molten material from this cut leaving a clean edge. The level of accuracy and complexity that it allows is impossible with machining tools.

Basically there are three main types of lasers that are used during the cutting procedure. These are known as the CO2 laser, Neodymium laser and another high tech laser which is used less.. If you will be cutting, boring, and engraving the CO2 laser is appropriate choice. The other two lasers different in their application but are identical in style.

Benefits of Laser Cutting

Laser cutting ...
... is a combination of industrial lasers, galvanometric imaging systems and computer control system. This combination provides a unique combination of precision, speed and versatility that cannot be matched by any other technique. Due to several benefits laser cutting has become the most popularized amongst other cutting devices.

The first and foremost advantage of laser is its ability to perform within extremely tight tolerances with extraordinary consistency and repeatability.
Another advantage is its high cutting speed. It can complete most tasks within have the time it takes when using conventional methods.
Its cutting quality is superior. Lasers are very flexible which allow for quick changeover.
It completely eliminates the use of dyes.
In this process waste reduction is not a matter of hazel. Waste can reduce through efficient nesting.
It is a cost effective process over a large range of production quantities.
It is more effective to achieve more complex cuts.
It is a versatile cutting process as it can cut materials with a wide range of hardness ranging from wood to steel.
This process requires minimum heat that results in less destruction of the work piece.
The smaller cut width of laser cutting allows parts to be cut together and this advantage is considered as a step further by nesting like materials and thicknesses together on the same sheet thus reducing scrap and yielding more parts per sheet.
No expensive tools are required to be added to the cost of producing a part.
Due to the non-contacting cutting process its ability to process materials increased reduced tool wear greatly.
As a computer controlled process it reduces employee or operator training and expertise.
Because of its improved ability it can react or adapt easily to changing production needs.
This process decreased risk of injury in comparison with other mechanical cutting methods.
It improves work environment by decreasing noise.

Benefits of laser cutting over mechanical cutting include easier work holding and reduced contamination of work piece. There is also a slimmer chance of warping any of the material that is being cut, since the laser systems have a tiny heat-affected zone. A disadvantage of laser cutting is the high energy needed to work properly.

In comparison with other types of metal cutting the process laser cutting is preferred due to all of the benefits that are mentioned above.

Author About:

Stuart Small from Stevens Rowsell Sheet Metal Engineering writes about Benefits of Laser Cutting. For more information about Benefits of Laser Cutting visit www.stevensrowsell.com