Anyone today will probably be well aware of the possibilities presented by laser technology. For example, everyday gadgets such as scanners and barcode readers use lasers, as do high-tech security systems. We also use lasers in some medical procedures and laser pointers are a popular tool for boardroom presentations. In fact, it is laser cutting that is one of the most common purposes for which lasers are now used. Much of the time, however, lasers have the effect of burning rather than actually cutting, but the most common manufacturing purposes see accurate cuts being made in once difficult to cut materials by the laser cutting machines.
There are many different forms of laser cutting machine, with some running on gases and some using diodes to get the work done. Some of these lasers have been made strictly to cut non-melting materials (wood for example), and most are used to cut metals and plastics. They are categorized based on the energy and wavelength of the beam produced. For instance, they can have names such as "semi-conductor" lasers and "fluid" lasers, yet they all rely on the exact same basic principles.
So, how does the laser cutting process work? As the most common use of lasers is to cut heavy metals such as steel and stainless steel, the largest number of laser cutting machines will actually melt rather than cut the metal as it crosses the path of the beam. The beam is produced inside the device where atoms are manipulated in an extremely controlled way to produce a powerful stream of light that can be absorbed by the metal. This produces an extraordinary amount of heat by the beam that will melt the metal.
Interestingly enough, many laser cutters can make both clean and highly-finished or sealed cuts, but they could also make less refined cuts so as to allow other machinery to finish the modifications. For instance, if a laser cut metal component needs some form of threading worked into the design, the software can actually program the laser to avoid hardening the edges of the cut.
If a company focuses on laser cutting operations they will typically seek ways to boost efficiency. For example, some businesses will "nest" parts on their laser cutting machines, allowing them to create several objects with a single use of the laser. Some companies even choose to computerize their entire manufacturing process. This can have quite a few names, including CAM, MRP and ERP, but these are all separate technologies that can be combined to make the manufacturing process more efficient and economical. Such programs might receive instructions to create parts for three or four different jobs using the same kind of material. Instead of scheduling separate production runs, they will schedule all of the parts to be cut from the same sheet and in a single procedure. This makes the most of the materials saving time and reducing waste, thus increasing efficiency and limiting wear and tear on machines. - 2364
There are many different forms of laser cutting machine, with some running on gases and some using diodes to get the work done. Some of these lasers have been made strictly to cut non-melting materials (wood for example), and most are used to cut metals and plastics. They are categorized based on the energy and wavelength of the beam produced. For instance, they can have names such as "semi-conductor" lasers and "fluid" lasers, yet they all rely on the exact same basic principles.
So, how does the laser cutting process work? As the most common use of lasers is to cut heavy metals such as steel and stainless steel, the largest number of laser cutting machines will actually melt rather than cut the metal as it crosses the path of the beam. The beam is produced inside the device where atoms are manipulated in an extremely controlled way to produce a powerful stream of light that can be absorbed by the metal. This produces an extraordinary amount of heat by the beam that will melt the metal.
Interestingly enough, many laser cutters can make both clean and highly-finished or sealed cuts, but they could also make less refined cuts so as to allow other machinery to finish the modifications. For instance, if a laser cut metal component needs some form of threading worked into the design, the software can actually program the laser to avoid hardening the edges of the cut.
If a company focuses on laser cutting operations they will typically seek ways to boost efficiency. For example, some businesses will "nest" parts on their laser cutting machines, allowing them to create several objects with a single use of the laser. Some companies even choose to computerize their entire manufacturing process. This can have quite a few names, including CAM, MRP and ERP, but these are all separate technologies that can be combined to make the manufacturing process more efficient and economical. Such programs might receive instructions to create parts for three or four different jobs using the same kind of material. Instead of scheduling separate production runs, they will schedule all of the parts to be cut from the same sheet and in a single procedure. This makes the most of the materials saving time and reducing waste, thus increasing efficiency and limiting wear and tear on machines. - 2364
About the Author:
Marc Anderes is the VP of Operations of Maloya Laser which specializes in Metal Manufacturing and Laser Cutting with advanced laser systems, for aerospace, medical, machinery, scientific and transportation requirements.
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