Laser cutting is a cutting process. A process that utilizes a focused laser beam to heat a material to its melting or boiling point, causing it to vaporize or be blown away.
This technology is used in a wide range of industries, from automotive to aerospace, for its ability to cut complex shapes quickly and accurately with minimal material waste.
The principle of laser cutting is to irradiate the material by means of a high power density laser beam, which rapidly heats up to vaporization temperature and evaporates to form holes. As the beam moves, these holes continuously form narrow slits to complete the cutting of the material.
Laser cutting technology originated in the 1960s, when the invention of the laser laid the groundwork for its development.
In 1960, Theodor Maiman invented the first laser. Initially, lasers were used in scientific research and had not yet been applied in industry.
With the development of CO2 lasers, Laser Processing Technology was introduced for metal processing. In 1971, the first commercial laser cutting machine was launched.
It began to be used in industrial production, particularly in automotive, aerospace, and precision manufacturing. The technology evolved to handle more complex tasks.
Laser power and precision improved significantly, speeding up the cutting process. It became a mainstream technology, with increasing automation.
The advent of fiber lasers made this technology more efficient and cost-effective, widely applicable for cutting metals, plastics, wood, and more, establishing it as a key manufacturing technology.
In this process, a laser beam locally melts the material, and the molten liquid is blown away by gas. This creates a cutting seam in the liquid material, which is why it’s called melt cutting.
By introducing oxygen as an auxiliary gas, oxidation cutting relies on a chemical reaction between oxygen and the hot metal. This reaction generates heat, further aiding in the cutting of the material.
Here, the laser focuses energy to rapidly heat the material to its evaporation point. As the material vaporizes, gas assists in removing the vapor, leaving behind a precise cut.
Controlled fracture laser cutting machines work by inducing thermal stresses in brittle materials. It initiates cracks without needing a coolant. It will occasionally require a mechanical shock to separate the two sides of the material.
Parameter | CO₂ Laser | Nd Laser | Nd:YAG Laser |
Wavelength | 10.6 microns (mid-infrared) | 1.064 microns (near-infrared) | 1.064 microns (near-infrared) |
Working Medium | Carbon dioxide gas | Neodymium-doped crystal | Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet |
Power Range | Tens of watts to kilowatts | Tens of watts to kilowatts | Tens of watts to kilowatts |
Applicable Materials | Wood, leather, plastic, thin metals, etc. | Metals, plastics, ceramics | Metals, ceramics, glass, hard materials |
Cutting Thickness | Suitable for thin metals and non-metal materials | Suitable for metal materials | Suitable for medium-thick metals and hard materials |
Advantages | High efficiency, low cost, good stability | High power density, suitable for metal processing | High precision, high stability, suitable for precision processing |
Disadvantages | Poor cutting performance on metals | Poor cutting performance on non-metals | Higher cost, lower energy efficiency |
Laser cutting technology is highly valued across multiple industries for its precision, efficiency, and versatility. Key applications include:
This technology is ideal for fast and precise cutting of metals such as stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and carbon steel. It is widely adopted in aerospace and automotive manufacturing, where speed and accuracy are essential.
It also offers excellent results when working with non-metals like wood, plastics, paper, and leather. This capability makes it popular in industries like crafts and packaging, where intricate and detailed designs are required.
Capable of handling small and complex shapes, laser cutting is crucial in fields that demand high precision, including the production of instruments, electronics, and medical devices.
The technology’s high accuracy and efficiency make it a go-to choice for producing parts in the aerospace, automotive, and electronics sectors, ensuring the creation of intricate, high-quality components.
There are several important parameters to be aware of in the cutting process, which have a direct impact on cutting results and efficiency:
Steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper and other metal materials can be precisely processed by laser cutting technology.
Non-metallic materials such as wood, plastic, rubber, paper, etc. can also be processed by laser cutting, which is suitable for art creation, packaging design and other fields.
Laser cutting can effectively cut multi-layer composite materials, especially in aerospace, electronics and other demanding industries.
When selecting a laser engraving or cutting service provider, in addition to the performance and technical specifications of the equipment, you should consider the following factors:
The cost of laser processing can vary significantly depending on the type of laser technology and the material selected. The simplest way to get an estimate for a sheet metal fabrication project is to request a free quote via email: quote@alliedcn.com
Laser cutting plays a key role in modern manufacturing due to its precision, efficiency, and versatility. As technology advances, it will continue to meet the increasing demands for higher precision and complex processing.
Choosing the right equipment and service provider can improve productivity and product quality.
We hope this article has given you useful insights into using laser cutting for small and medium volume production.
