What are the latest technologies in laser cutting?
New laser cutting technologies are bringing a revolution in the way materials are processed, improving the precision, speed and efficiency of cutting. The past few years have seen rapid development of this technology, which is widely used in a variety of industries - from metalworking to electronics. In this post, we will discuss innovations in laser cutting that are shaping trends in laser cutting and the latest laser cutting solutions that are changing the face of industrial material processing.
Description of Contents:
- Fiber Laser Cutting (Fiber Laser Cutting)
- Cutting with CO2 laser
- Cutting with ultrafast laser technology (Ultrafast Laser Cutting)
- Cutting with automated control and AI systems
- Cutting with Variable Beam Shaping laser technology
- Integration with robots and process automation
Fiber Laser Cutting
One of the main directions in which new laser cutting technologies are developing is the use of laser fiber. Compared to traditional technologies such as laser cutting CO2, fiber lasers offer higher energy efficiency, better cutting quality and lower operating costs. These technologies also provide faster cutting of metals, including aluminum, stainless steel or copper, with less energy loss.
The latest laser cutting solutions also make it possible to cut materials of different thicknesses more precisely, thanks to better concentration of the laser beam. Such laser cutting trends are gaining popularity in the metal and electronics industries, as well as in the production of parts with highly complex shapes. For this reason, CNC cutters and CNC cutting machines that use fiber lasers are becoming the standard in modern manufacturing plants.
CO2 laser cutting
Despite the growing popularity of fiber lasers, CO2 lasers still remain a key tool in cutting organic materials and some metals. Laser cutting in metal using a CO2 laser is particularly effective for cutting carbon steel and thinner materials. Thanks to modern energy management systems, modern CO2 lasers offer exceptional precision and can cut materials with different physical properties, such as wood, acrylic and rubber.
Modern laser cutting technologies have introduced a number of innovations in cutting quality, such as better control over the distribution of energy in the laser beam, resulting in perfectly smooth edges. Such cutting systems are still widely used in the advertising, furniture and food industries.
Ultrafast Laser Cutting
Innovations in laser cutting also include the development of ultrafast laser technology, such as femtosecond and picosecond lasers, which provide exceptional cutting precision at the microscale level. These lasers emit pulses of very short duration, enabling precise cutting of materials without the risk of overheating. Laser cutting using ultrashort lasers allows the processing of very thin-film materials that are particularly sensitive to heat. Thanks to its ability to minimize thermal effects, laser cutting in metal and other materials becomes even more precise, and the material does not undergo thermal deformation. This technology is particularly useful in the production of electronic components, microsystems and precision machine parts.
Cutting with automatic control and AI systems
Nowadays, many laser cutting systems are integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) technology, enabling automatic adjustment of cutting parameters such as speed, laser power or beam focus in real time. The latest laser cutting solutions equipped with AI sensors can analyze the material in real time, allowing the cutting process to adapt to changing conditions, such as material thickness or structure. Innovations in laser cutting related to artificial intelligence also make it possible to predict material consumption and quickly adjust parameters to changing production requirements. This makes laser cutting systems more efficient, saves time and allows for higher quality cutting edges, eliminating human error.
Cutting with Variable Beam Shaping (VBA) laser technology
Trends in laser cutting are also moving toward changing the shape of the laser beam during the cutting process. Modern laser cutting technologies allow the beam to have different profiles, enabling better control over the cutting process. Changing the shape of the beam depending on the type of material allows for better cutting quality, especially for complex contours. The beam reshaping technology allows more precise cutting of materials with varying thicknesses, and also provides higher quality cut edges, which is particularly important in the automotive and aerospace industries, where precise and complicated parts are required.
Integration with robots and process automation
Modern laser cutting technologies also include integration with industrial robots. CNC cutting machine manufacturers are increasingly offering systems that use robots to precisely guide the laser head. With such solutions, the laser cutting process becomes more automated, allowing for faster and more accurate cutting, as well as the processing of materials with complex shapes. CNC cutters integrated with robots offer greater flexibility and precision, especially when cutting thin-film materials such as film or thin sheet metal. Automation also optimizes the production process, which reduces the risk of errors and lowers production costs.
New laser cutting technologies - summary
Innovations in laser cutting in recent years have significantly changed the approach to material processing, introducing new laser cutting technologies that provide higher precision, efficiency and cut quality. Modern laser cutting technologies make it possible to cut materials of different thicknesses faster, more accurately and at lower cost, making it an increasingly popular method in various industries. With the use of robotics, artificial intelligence and beam reshaping technology, laser cutting is becoming even more versatile and tailored to specific industrial needs. Today's CNC cutting machines not only provide high quality cutting, but also minimize environmental impact, making laser cutting a more sustainable process.