Laser cutting uses high-power density laser beams to irradiate the material to be cut. The material is heated to its vaporization temperature, where it evaporates to form pores. As the beam moves across the material, the holes form successive slits of narrow width. This process completes the cutting of the material. As a precision processing method, laser cutting technology can cut almost all materials.
There are currently three primary laser cutting machines: fiber laser cutting machines, co2 laser cutting machines, and YAG laser cutting machines. These three laser cut machines have their disadvantages and market positioning. If you need a laser cutter, learn from this article first.
Types of Fiber Laser Cutting Machine
Different types of laser cutting equipment are used in various industries and materials. So before buying a laser cut machine, first understand the characteristics of each laser cut machine.
Fiber Laser Cutting Machine
A fiber laser cut machine uses a fiber laser generator as a light source. This cutting machine can do both flat cutting and bevel cutting. Fiber laser cutting machines are necessary for manufacturers who require extreme precision and efficiency. Nowadays, fiber laser cutting machines occupy most of the market.
Pros:
- Excellent beam quality: smaller focus spot, finer cutting lines.
- High photoelectric conversion rate and low power consumption.
- Extremely high cutting speed: twice that of the same CO2 laser cutting machine.
- High stability: stable performance, the service life of critical parts can reach 100,000 hours.
- Low maintenance cost: optical fiber transmission, no need for reflective lenses.
- Easy operation and maintenance: optical fiber transmission, no need to adjust the optical path.
Cons:
- High cost.
- It is challenging to cut highly reflective materials such as aluminum and copper.
Applications:
- Sheet metal processing
- Aerospace
- Electronic appliances
- Car
- Mechanical
- Household appliances
- Handcrafted gift
- Tool processing
- Precision Parts
Processing Material
- Stainless steel
- Carbon steel
- Alloy steel
- Silicon steel
- Spring steel
- Aluminum
- Aluminum alloy
- Copper
- Silver
- Gold
CO2 Laser Cutting Machine
The CO2 laser cut machine is a molecular gas laser. Its working substance is carbon dioxide gas; auxiliary gases include nitrogen, helium, and hydrogen. This laser has a wavelength of 10.6 microns, an infrared light that is impossible to see.
Pros:
- Good quality: small CO2 laser spot, high energy density.
- The cutting surface is flash and smooth: the surface roughness is only tens of microns.
- High efficiency: Numerical control can fully realize the cutting process. You only need to change the CNC program during operation.
- Fast speed: 2000W CO2 laser cuter can cut 1mm thick low carbon steel plate at 30 meters per minute.
- Non-contact cutting: No wear on the tool.
- The cutting process has low noise, little vibration, and no pollution.
Cons:
- The construction cost and maintenance costs are high.
- It cannot cut copper, including brass and copper.
Applications:
- Clothing
- Leather
- Stuffed toys
- Electronic appliances
- Model
- Crafts
- Packaging and Printing
- Paper products
Processing Material
- Wooden product
- Paper
- Plexiglass
- Acrylic
- Plastic
- Rubber
- Crystal
- Jade
YAG Laser Cutting Machine
YAG cutting laser machine uses focused high-power density laser beam irradiation. This process enables the irradiated material to melt rapidly, thereby enabling the workpiece to be cut open. It suits sheet metal manufacturers, decoration, and other industries with low processing requirements.
Pros:
- High precision: suitable for cutting precision accessories, craft calligraphy, and painting.
- Stable performance: able to maintain continuous production.
- Low cost of use: only a few dollars per hour.
- The heat-affected zone is small and not easily deformed. The incision is smooth and beautiful, and no follow-up treatment is required.
Cons:
- The output energy is small and can only cut materials below 8mm.
- Cutting efficiency is low.
Applications:
- Advertising sign production
- Sheet metal structure
- Textile machinery
- Kitchen utensils
- Lamps
- Car
- Metal crafts
- Glasses making
- Medical instruments
Processing Material
- Stainless steel
- Carbon steel
- Alloy steel
- Silicon steel
- Spring steel
- Aluminum
- Aluminum alloy
- Gold, silver, and copper
- Monocrystalline Silicon, Polycrystalline Silicon
Precautions for Purchasing Laser Cutting Machine
How do you choose laser cutting equipment? With the advantages of fast cutting speed and high efficiency, laser cutter machine is used in many industries. Do you also have plans to purchase one or more laser cut machines? The following are precautions for cutting laser machines.
Machine Quality
The most crucial factor in purchasing equipment is that the performance of the equipment should be stable. Currently, many manufacturers are developing new products. First of all, analyze the structure of the equipment to know whether its mechanical performance is reliable and whether the software control is easy to operate. You’d better visit the factory to see their production process in person. The scale of an enterprise can be seen through the production process, and then the quality of the equipment can be understood.
Machine Power
The power of the laser cutter machine is 1000W, 1500W, 2000W, 3000W, and so on. In fact, the higher the power, the more expensive it is. Choose the appropriate power according to the hardness of your cutting material. For common metal materials, 3000W is enough.
Machine Accuracy
We must learn to distinguish between true and false information. Some manufacturers will say the laser cutting accuracy can reach within 0.5mm. For CNC equipment, the marking accuracy is generally within 0.5mm, and the cutting accuracy is about 0.4-0.6mm. So be sure to choose carefully.
Factory After-sales Service
The laser cutting machine has many core accessories, including a cutting head, chiller, control system, etc. These components have a certain lifespan. Parts that exceed the age will age and are prone to failure. When purchasing, you must communicate well about after-sales issues to avoid more losses after equipment failure.
Final Thought
HanTenCNC is a large-scale manufacturing enterprise dedicated to industrial laser solutions. The manufacturer specializes in the R&D and production of laser cut machines, laser cleaning machines, and other laser equipment. As a professional laser cutting machine manufacturer, HanTenCNC can provide you with the best laser solutions if you have any questions about laser cutting equipment.