Laser cutting is the process of cutting through materials using a laser. Laser cutting is used everywhere from schools to large industrial and commercial production businesses. Most commercial laser cutting systems use CNC technology to decrease the potential for human error.
Lasers are a popular choice for many workshops as it is accurate, cost-effective and efficient.There are a few different kinds of laser cutting techniques, but some of the most common include: vaporisation cutting, and melt and blow.
Vaporisation cutting is the method of shooting a beam onto a material to cut a hole through. As it heats up and cuts through, excess / waste material is burnt away. This is generally the technique used to cut through lighter materials, like wood, carbon and thermoset plastics.
Melt and blow laser cutting, sometimes called fusion cutting, is where molten material is blown through the cutting area using high-pressured gas. This is an incredibly energy-efficient method for cutting and is often the laser cutting method of choice for most metals.
There are many brands that make quality laser cutting equipment, some of the major brands include: Amada, Bodor, Durma, Prima, Trumpf and Yawei. All of these brands offer good quality laser cutting equipment and it'll generally come down to certain specs when deciding which laser cutter is right for you.
Something important to remember when buying laser cutting equipment is that they are precision machines. Many components within a laser cutter are sensitive and need to be setup correctly. This is why almost all laser cutter dealers will include setup in their quotes, and will often have service packages available for ongoing maintenance as well.
This is also why second-hand laser cutting equipment, at least commercial-grade machinery, isn't very common. Many buyers will not be willing to take the risk of buying a second-hand piece from a private seller, simply due to how technical laser cutters can be. In fact, something as simple as a lost USB can cause the entire investment to be lost.
Laser cutting is a great way to quickly, efficiently and accurately cut through a range of materials, including metals, wood and even plastic. As long as proper care is taken during transport and setup, laser cutters are a great method for cutting through all sorts of materials. As always, consult with your dealer or seller when buying to find the right product for your needs.
