Laser Cutting and Engraving

If you are wondering what laser cutting and engraving mean, this piece of article is for you. To start with laser cutting, it is a technique which includes using a laser to cut materials. This technology is generally used for industrial manufacturing applications, but these days it is finding application in schools and small businesses too. Even some hobbyists are using this. This technology directs the output of a high-power laser through optics in most cases and that’s how it works. In order to direct the material or the generated laser beam, the Laser optics and CNC are used where CNC stands for computer numerical control.

If you are going to use a typical commercial laser for cutting materials, it will involve a motion control system. This motion follows a CNC or G-code of the pattern to be cut into the material. When the focused laser beam is directed at the material, it either melts, burns or blown away by a jet of gas. This phenomenon leaves an edge with a high-quality surface finishing. There are industrial laser cutters too which are used to cut flat-sheet material. They are also used to cut structural and piping materials.

Now coming to Laser engraving, it is defined as a subset of laser marking. It is a technique of using laser to engrave an object. This is performed with the help of laser engraving machines. These machines mainly consist of three parts: a controller, a laser and a surface. The laser appears as a pencil from which the beam is emitted. This beam allows the controller to trace patterns onto the surface. The surface forms the focus or aiming point for the controller direction, intensity, spread of the laser beam, and the speed of movement. The surface is selected to match on what the laser can perform actions.

Manufacturers are more inclined to use laser cutting and engraving machines with high precision and small size. These machines can be used for both metal and non-metals. The table on which laser cutting is performed is generally made of rigid steel structure to ensure that the process is free of vibration. These machines are known to provide high accuracy and this accuracy is obtained by fixing it with high accuracy servo or linear motor with optical encoders of high resolution. There is a range of products available in the market for the purpose of laser cutting and engraving likes Fibre, CO2 & YAG laser. These machines are highly used for processes like precious metal cutting (fine cutting is required), fabric cutting, nitinol cutting, glass cutting and making of medical components.

Features of Laser Cutting and Engraving machines:

• These machines are very useful for stent cutting and also for modeling prototype projects for the first time.
• These machines allow you to work on thicker materials if required, by adjusting the z-axis.
• Many of these devices are provided with automatic laser startup sequence.
• These machines are known for using high-reliability optics along with high stability laser. They are also provided with open loop or closed loop control options.
• Many of these machines also include full communications or analog I/O control options.
• They are equipped with automatic height adjustment with the help of programming. This helps in keeping up the focal length steady and maintaining static cutting quality.
• They are provided with high quality and long life laser tubes.

Due to the above set of diverse feature laser cutting and engraving machines are used in various industrial applications and are very popular in the market. For more knowledge, you may search laser cutting and engraving machine.