One of the most modern methods of material processing, offering high precision, speed and minimizing material waste, is laser cutting. How does it work? This method is used in the metal, automotive, aerospace industries, as well as in the production of decorative architectural elements and electronics. What is laser cutting and what materials can be laser cut? The right choice of technology and parameters affects the quality of the final product, so it is worthwhile to study the process carefully. How does laser cutting work and what are its advantages over other processing methods? In this article we will provide details about this technology, the differences between laser cutting and plasma cutting, and the most common mistakes in laser cutting and how to avoid them.

Description of contents:

Laser cutting - how does it work and what are its key principles?

What is laser cutting and what technologies are used?

Laser cutting versus plasma cutting - differences and choosing the right method

What materials can be cut with laser and in which industries it is used?

Laser cutting - the most common mistakes and how to avoid them

How to set laser cutting parameters for best results?

Laser cutting - how does it work and what are its key principles?

Laser cutting technology involves the precise separation of material using a high-energy laser beam. How does the laser work for cutting metal and other raw materials? The laser beam is generated in a special source, and then directed by an optical system to the surface of the workpiece. As a result of the thermal energy, melting, vaporization or combustion of the material occurs, which is assisted by a stream of technical gas, such as oxygen, nitrogen or argon.

The use of modern CNC systems allows for full automation of the process, so that laser cutting machines offer high repeatability and precision manufacturing. Metal cutting laser and plate-cutting laser are now widely used in industry, allowing fast and precise shaping of parts, both in unit and batch production.

What is laser cutting and what technologies are used?

Laser cutting technology includes various methods, tailored to specific material and design requirements. There is oxygen cutting, mainly used for carbon steel, nitrogen cutting used for stainless steel, and sublimation cutting, which works well for precision machining of delicate materials such as wood and plastics.

Laser cutting technology has been developing rapidly in recent years, offering increasingly powerful laser sources and advanced control systems. Modern CNC laser cutting allows cutting of complex shapes with exceptional accuracy, which is extremely important in the automotive, aerospace and medical industries.

Laser cutting vs. plasma cutting - differences and choosing the right method

One of the most frequently discussed issues is: laser cutting vs. plasma cutting - differences and applications? Both technologies are used for metalworking, but differ in precision, cost and scope of application. Laser cutting for steel allows to achieve a much thinner cut gap and better edge quality than plasma. Laser cutting is also more efficient with thinner materials and allows intricate patterns to be cut.

Plasma cutting, on the other hand, has lower operating costs and higher productivity with thick sheets, although it requires additional edge processing to achieve a satisfactory result. CNC cutting machine manufacturer Eckert offers both laser and plasma machines, tailored to specific customer requirements.

What materials can be cut with a laser and in what industries is it used?"

What materials can be cut with a laser? The technology works well for processing metals such as carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper and titanium, as well as wood, plastics, plywood, glass and textiles. It is used both in heavy industry and in precision processing of electronic components or jewelry.

In particular, the sheet metal cutting laser is widely used in the automotive, aerospace and construction industries, where high accuracy and repeatability are important. Combined with the right cutting gases and machine parameters, perfectly smooth edges can be achieved, eliminating the need for additional machining.

Laser cutting - the most common mistakes and how to avoid them

Like any technology, laser cutting can also be associated with some problems. Laser cutting - the most common mistakes and how to avoid them? Pay attention to proper calibration of the machine, selection of optimal parameters and correct setting of laser power. Too high a speed can lead to inaccurate cutting, while moving the head too slowly can cause burns and edge distortion.

To avoid these problems, appropriate operator training and regular equipment maintenance are essential. Laser-cutting machines require precise settings and control of parameters such as the type and pressure of the cutting gas, the angle of incidence of the beam and its sharpness.

How to set laser cutting parameters for best results?

How to set the laser cutting parameters? It is crucial to select the right laser source power, adjust the cutting speed to the type and thickness of the material, and use the right technical gas. A laser for cutting metal requires different settings than a laser for cutting sheet metal or wood, so it is important to customize the parameters for a specific application.

Advanced CNC control systems allow precise control of the process, minimizing the risk of errors and ensuring repeatability of the cut parts. Precision laser cutting - advantages and applications include not only excellent edge quality, but also material savings and high productivity.

Precision laser cutting - advantages and applications include not only excellent edge quality, but also material savings and high productivity.

Summary

Laser cutting technology is an indispensable solution in modern industry. What is laser cutting and why is it so popular? Precise, fast and efficient processing allows cutting complex patterns without additional edge finishing. How does the metal cutting laser work and how to optimize the process? The correct setting of parameters and selection of the right technology guarantee the highest quality of processing. Thanks to the dynamic development of CNC machines, CNC laser cutting is now a standard in many industries.