| Laser can be used to cut a wide variety of materials. | | | | Laser cutting with a CO2 lasers finish is excellent in |
| With a laser cutting machine, paper and plastic can be | | | | comparison to processes such as oxy or plasma. |
| easily cut much precisely. Even plywood up to 1" | | | | Correct use of efficient nozzles, feed speeds, pulse |
| thick can be cut by this machine. It can be used to | | | | settings and gas pressures can produce good square |
| cut metal sheets as well. Typically power of the laser | | | | cuts with a smooth finish. For most applications only |
| is modulated to select various levels cutting. | | | | minimal post finishing is required. However, CO2 laser |
| Small mirrors are used to guide light from the laser to | | | | cutting cannot replicate a machined finish. Parts |
| a particular location on the material. The base of the | | | | typically have a heat affected zone, but this is small |
| cutting area is made from a honeycomb material to | | | | in comparison to the more traditional processes. Heat |
| let the laser light pass through. This has to be | | | | distortion is very minimal and this is one of the key |
| replaced periodically. | | | | advantages of the process. |
| Laser cutting machines are distinct from traditional | | | | CO2 laser system can be used almost anywhere the |
| mechanical cutters. Since the laser never makes | | | | more conventional processes such as oxy and plasma |
| physical contact with material and there is less | | | | cutting are used. But, a CO2 laser cutter has the |
| opportunity for the material to become contaminated. | | | | advantage in being able to cut a wider variety of |
| Laser cutting machines also cut material with higher | | | | materials such as plastics and wood. CO2 lasers can |
| precision than that of mechanical means.Besides its | | | | be mounted on various different motion systems |
| advantages over conventional mechanical cutting, | | | | from small desktop units for small work, to huge |
| laser cutting is a quiet process. Safety is also | | | | gantry systems for cutting large plates, to robot |
| important and, as a result, most laser machines are | | | | arms for 3D cutting. |
| fully enclosed to prevent accidents. | | | | Just a few of the wide variety of applications for |
| The most common type of laser cutter available in | | | | CO2 laser cutting are profiling of steel shapes, cutting |
| industry today is the CO2 laser. It offers advantages | | | | or drilling of holes in steel parts, cutting of thin sheet |
| over other types of lasers for cutting in cost, | | | | metals, cutting of plastic signs and masks, cutting of |
| efficiency and power available and have become the | | | | profiles in wood and cutting of fabrics and plastic |
| industry standard. | | | | films. |