What is Laser Cutting? A Comprehensive Guide

Laser cutters are a popular tool for manufacturers, engineers, and others who need to make precise cuts in various materials. Unlike traditional cutting tools that rely on physical force or friction to remove excess material, a laser cutter uses heat from an infrared laser to burn through materials without damaging them.

A laser cutter uses computer-guided lasers to cut materials with accuracy and speed that other methods cannot achieve. In this blog post, we’ll cover the basics of laser cutting, its different types, and how it can be used in your business or personal projects.

What is Laser Cutting?

Laser cutting is a type of computer-controlled machining that uses lasers to cut materials. The laser beam is directed at the material to be cut, and the material is vaporized or melted by the heat of the laser beam.

It can be used on a variety of materials, including wood, metal, glass, plastics, and more. The laser beam used in laser cutting is of high intensity and focuses a large amount of energy to create a reaction that melts the material. The focused beam is what distinguishes laser cutting from other cutting methods.

Types of Laser Cutters

There are three laser cutting technologies: CO₂ laser, fibre-optic laser, and crystal laser. 

CO₂ Laser 

CO₂ (carbon dioxide) lasers are the most common types of lasers used for laser cutting. They are extremely powerful and can cut through various materials, including metals and plastics. Most CO₂ lasers have three parts: a power source, a CO₂ gas supply, and a beam delivery system.

The power source is the electrical supply that powers the laser. The gas supply contains CO₂ or other gases that create the laser beam. The light bounces in different directions with the help of several strategically placed mirrors to ensure it reaches the laser cutting head. The laser light beam delivery system is the part that focuses and directs the laser beam. 

Fibre-optic Laser 

Fibre-optic lasers are used in automated cutting machines and are often employed for materials that are very delicate or challenging to cut, such as rubber and foams. It has setting knowns as the computer numerical control (CNC), this control and direct the laser light beam's intensity for desired design or specific cuts in manufacturing or designing project. Fiber lasers are very precise and can be used to cut intricate shapes, curves, and small details. 

Crystal Laser

Crystal laser cutter generates laser light beams from nd:YVO (neodymium-doped yttrium ortho-vanadate) and nd:YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet). These lasers are used for cutting and engraving hard materials like stone, glass, and ceramic. Crystal laser cutters are also used for industrial applications such as welding, alloying, and heat treating. 

Cutting vs. Marking vs. Engraving

When choosing a laser cutter machine, it’s important to know the difference between cutting, marking, and engraving. 

Cutting

Cutting is the process of using a laser beam to melt, vaporize, or burn through the material. The material is then removed from the workpiece by either falling away or being blown away by compressed air. 

Marking

Marking is using a laser beam to change a material's colour without actually removing any material. Marking can be used for identification purposes, such as labelling parts with serial numbers or barcodes. Marking can also be used for decorative purposes, such as adding logos or product images. 

Engraving

Engraving is the process of using a laser beam to remove material from the surface of a workpiece. Engraving can be used for both functional and decorative purposes. For example, engraving can be used to add text or images to a product, or it can be used to create patterns or textures on a surface.

How Does Laser Cutting Work?

The laser cutting process uses a high-powered laser to melt, burn, or vaporize the material. The beam is directed at the material to be cut; the heat of the focused laser beam melts or vaporizes the material.

The type of laser cutter that is used will determine the wavelength of the beam light. CO₂ lasers use an infrared wavelength absorbed by the material being cut. This type of cutter is well-suited for cutting non-metallic materials like wood, plastic, paper, and fabric.

Fibre laser cutters use a high-powered laser directed through a fibre-optic cable. This cutter is ideal for cutting metals like stainless steel and aluminium.

Crystal laser cutters use a neodymium-doped crystal to create an ultraviolet laser beam. This cutter is typically used to cut semiconductors and other electronic materials.

Advantages of Laser Cutting

It provides a number of advantages over traditional cutting methods, including:

• Greater precision: It is a very precise method of cutting. The beam can be focused to a very small diameter, allowing it to cut intricate shapes and small details.
  
• Greater speed: It is a fast way to cut material. An automated laser cutter can operate at speeds of up to 60 inches per second.
• Cleaner cuts: It produces clean, smooth, and burr-free cuts. Traditional methods like sawing and grinding can leave behind rough edges and sharp burrs.
  
• Increased versatility: It can be used to cut various materials, including metals, plastics, wood, glass, and stone. 
  
• Minimal burrs or debris: With laser cutting, there is minimal cleanup required because the laser leaves a clean edge with minimal burrs or debris.
  
• Reduced material waste: It is a very efficient method of cutting. The focused laser beams can be directed with great precision, resulting in less material waste.
  
• Ability to cut complex shapes: It gives the ability to cut complex and intricate shapes that would be difficult or impossible to cut with traditional methods.
  

Disadvantages of Laser Cutting

While it provides many advantages over traditional methods, there are also some disadvantages to consider, including:

• High initial cost: The laser cutter machines are expensive. They typically cost tens of thousands of dollars, making them inaccessible for many small businesses and hobbyists. The cost of laser cutting varies greatly depending on material thickness, material properties, and laser type.
  
• Requires skilled operator: Laser cutters require a skilled operator. The operator must be properly trained to produce consistent, high-quality cuts.
  
• Health hazards: It produces harmful fumes and smoke. Proper ventilation and respiratory protection must be used to protect the operator from these hazards.

Despite the high initial cost, it provides many advantages over traditional methods, including greater precision, speed, versatility, and efficiency. If you are looking for a fast and precise way to cut material, then a laser cutter may be the right choice. Just be sure to consider the disadvantages before making your decision.

Laser Cutter Applications

Laser cutters have a wide range of applications in different industries. Some common uses for laser cutters include:

• Cutting metal parts
• Engraving stone
• Marking plastics
• Etching glass
  

If you are looking for a versatile cutting solution, then a laser cutter may be the right choice for you. With so many different applications, there is sure to be a use for a laser cutter in your industry.

What can laser cutting cut?

It can be used to cut a variety of materials, including:

• Metals: aluminium, brass, copper, stainless steel
  
• Plastics: acrylic, polycarbonate
  
• Wood: plywood, MDF
  
• Glass: tempered glass, mirror
  
• Other materials: stone, ceramic tile, fabric

If you are looking for a way to cut metal parts or engrave stone, then laser cutting may be the right solution. With so many different materials that can be cut with a laser cutter, it is sure to be used in your business or hobby.

What are the benefits of laser cutting?

The main benefit of laser cutting is that it is a highly versatile and accurate process. The computer-controlled lasers can be programmed to cut intricate designs in a sheet material that other methods cannot do. By this laser cutting is ideal for producing prototypes and small batches of parts with high precision.

There are no limitations on the material thickness that lasers can cut, so they can easily be used on all kinds of materials. Although waterjet cutting has some advantages over laser cutting, such as its ability to cut through more rigid materials and its ability to cut more complex shapes, the laser is still a faster way to produce parts with a high level of precision.

Is laser cutting safe?

It is a safe process when it is done in a safe environment. It is advisable to have the work area well lit, and the operator must wear safety glasses. The material being cut must be checked for any contaminants before it is used, and regular maintenance of the laser machine will ensure that it runs smoothly and safely.

In recent years, it has been used for a range of applications, including metalwork, glasswork, stonework, leather work, woodwork, and general fabrication. It has also been used for artistic purposes, such as engraving designs on wood or metal.

Talk to an expert

Here at Hygrade Laser Profiling, we have over 30 years of experience in laser cutting. We offer a wide range of services including laser cutting, tube processing, machining, and more. If you are interested in learning more about how we can help with your laser cutting project, don't hesitate to contact us today.