The Basics Of Laser Cutting
So many industries use laser cutting Australia wide, it is a technique that allows us to do many things. It has certainly gained popularity over the last few years and it’s not hard to see why.
So what is laser cutting exactly and how does it work? It is something that has been described as a thermal process. A focused laser beam is used to melt materials that it has been aimed at. A gas jet is also used to eject molten materials to create a kerf. The cut is produced by moving the laser in a certain direction or used with CNC control. We will go over the different lasers used, the laser itself and everything else you need to know about laser cutting.
It is important to note that there are three popular types of laser cutting:
- fusion cutting
- flame cutting
- remote cutting
The fusion laser cutting uses an inert gas which is typically nitrogen. This gas is used to get rid of the molten material in the kerf because it doesn’t react to the molten materials, therefore, doesn’t contribute to the energy used. Flame laser cutting is different because oxygen is used instead of nitrogen. Oxygen, however, does react so it increases energy in the process. Remote laser cutting uses a high intensity laser beam, which means that the material is partially evaporated allowing you to cut thin sheets without any assistance from a gas. Majority of industries rely on this type of laser cutting Australia wide.
There are two different lasers used in the laser cutting process which includes a co2 laser and a fibre laser. The co2 laser or the carbon dioxide laser, is a gas mixture that consists of carbon dioxide, nitrogen and helium. This laser works by getting pumped with electricity and is mostly used to cut thicker materials; it can cut thicker materials faster than a fibre laser that is being used with the same power. It also gives a nicer finish to thicker materials. The most popular technique used with this laser is known as the flying optics system which is where the material stays stationary and mirrors are used to reflect and move the laser in different axes.
The fibre laser is known as a solid state laser and is made up of a series of laser diodes. The laser first gets transmitted through an optical fibre which is how it got its name, which is meant to amplify the laser. From there the laser is focused with a lens which it then can cut through the material. These lasers have no moving parts which means less maintenance; they are also more energy efficient compared to co2 lasers; they can also cut thinner sheets of material faster than a co2 laser; they can also cut through reflective materials without you worrying about the laser reflecting back onto the machine and damaging it.
Hopefully, after reading this article you have a more in-depth view of how laser cutting works and the difference between the lasers. Most manufacturers use laser cutting Australia wide, it has become a staple way of doing things in many industries. If you are a business owner who wants to invest in laser cutting for your company, then you can find great equipment and machinery online that deliver Australia wide.
