The
technology that uses a laser to cut materials and is typically used for
manufacturing of industrial tools and applications is known as laser cutting. Now
days, this method is also being employed by schools, hobbyists and small
businesses. The working of a laser cutter is very simple – it directs the
output of a high-powered laser through an optical lens. The laser optics and a
computer numerical control are used to direct the material being used or the
laser beam being generated. The laser beam which is being focused is directed
at the materials being cut. The beam either melts or burns or vaporizes away
the material, leaving behind a high quality surface finish. In the industrial
sectors, laser cutters are used to cut sheet materials while also doing the
purpose of structural and piping materials.
The
first ever laser cutting machine which was used for the purpose of drilling
holes in to diamond dies was made in the year 1965 and was designed by the
experts at Western Electric Engineering Research Centre. In the year 1967, the
British first pioneered the laser assisted oxygen cutters for cutting metals.
As far as the early 1970s, this technology was used to cut titanium for the
aerospace application and thus, it was required to be put into production in a
large scale. This was the same time as when CO2lasers were put in to
use so as to cut non-metal items such as textiles since they were absorbed the
metals. Thus began the first usage of laser cutting parts.
Now,
there are a few things to consider while buying laser cutting parts. The four
most important points that needs to be kept in consideration are –
·
There are two
functions a laser cutter can serve – cutting and engraving. The cutter used
needs to be chosen in such a manner that it serves both these purposes
·
The material
which will be cut using the laser. The general rule is that harder the material
that requires to be cut, the greater the power needed for the laser. The
thickness of the material should also be kept into consideration
·
A larger sized
bed will suit nearly all the cutting and/or engraving job that will be done by
the laser. Though there is the fact that smaller items on a larger sheet can
hugely improve productivity and reduce waste produced
·
The last and
important thing that should be kept in mind is the budget which is required to
buy the machine.
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