Anyone in the modern era will be well aware of the possibilities of the laser. For instance, we use lasers in a large number of devices such as scanners in the supermarket and many modern security devices. We also use them during business presentations as "pointers", and we use them in the operating room too. Of course, it is in industry that lasers are typically used, in the form of laser cutting machines. Much of the time, however, lasers have the effect of burning rather than actually cutting, but the most common industrial purposes see accurate cuts being made in once difficult materials by the laser machines.
There are a large number of laser cutting machines, some run on gas but some use diodes to get the work done. Some of these laser cutters are made strictly to cut non-melting materials like wood, but most are used for handling plastics and metals. They can be categorized based on the energy and wavelength of the beam produced. For instance, there are "semi conductor" lasers and "fluid" lasers, nevertheless they all rely on the same mechanics.
Just how exactly does the laser cutting process work? Since lasers are principally used in the cutting of heavy metals like steel and aluminium, the widest number of laser cutting machines actually melt rather than cut the material as it intersects with the path of the beam. The beam originates within the machine where atoms are manipulated in an incredibly controlled way and from which there is produced an effective light stream that can be absorbed into the metal. The result of this process is that there is an extraordinary level of heat by that beam that will melt the metal.
Interestingly enough, many laser cutters can make very clean cuts with highly-finished edges, but they might also make less refined cuts so as to allow other machines to finish the modifications. For instance, if a laser cut metal component requires some type of threading worked into its design, the software can actually program the laser mot to harden the edges of the cut.
Laser cutting businesses, much like all other businesses, are continually looking for mew ways to streamline their work-flow. For example, some companies will "nest" parts on their laser cutting machines which allows them to perform several functions with just one use of the laser. Additionally, many modern companies will computerize their entire production line. This can have quite a few names, including MRP, CAM or ERP, but these are all different technologies which incorporate to make productivity efficient and nearly flawless. Such programs could receive specifications on three or four different jobs using pieces that will be made from the same sort of metal. Rather than scheduling the cuts to be done one at a time, they may choose to cut all of the parts from the same sheet of metal and in one single run. This ensures that all of the metal is used and saves valuable time, thus refining business functions and limiting wear and tear on the machines.
There are a large number of laser cutting machines, some run on gas but some use diodes to get the work done. Some of these laser cutters are made strictly to cut non-melting materials like wood, but most are used for handling plastics and metals. They can be categorized based on the energy and wavelength of the beam produced. For instance, there are "semi conductor" lasers and "fluid" lasers, nevertheless they all rely on the same mechanics.
Just how exactly does the laser cutting process work? Since lasers are principally used in the cutting of heavy metals like steel and aluminium, the widest number of laser cutting machines actually melt rather than cut the material as it intersects with the path of the beam. The beam originates within the machine where atoms are manipulated in an incredibly controlled way and from which there is produced an effective light stream that can be absorbed into the metal. The result of this process is that there is an extraordinary level of heat by that beam that will melt the metal.
Interestingly enough, many laser cutters can make very clean cuts with highly-finished edges, but they might also make less refined cuts so as to allow other machines to finish the modifications. For instance, if a laser cut metal component requires some type of threading worked into its design, the software can actually program the laser mot to harden the edges of the cut.
Laser cutting businesses, much like all other businesses, are continually looking for mew ways to streamline their work-flow. For example, some companies will "nest" parts on their laser cutting machines which allows them to perform several functions with just one use of the laser. Additionally, many modern companies will computerize their entire production line. This can have quite a few names, including MRP, CAM or ERP, but these are all different technologies which incorporate to make productivity efficient and nearly flawless. Such programs could receive specifications on three or four different jobs using pieces that will be made from the same sort of metal. Rather than scheduling the cuts to be done one at a time, they may choose to cut all of the parts from the same sheet of metal and in one single run. This ensures that all of the metal is used and saves valuable time, thus refining business functions and limiting wear and tear on the machines.
About the Author:
Marc Anderes is the Vice President of Operations of Maloya Laser that is dedicated to Laser Cutting and Metal Manufacturing with advanced laser systems, for aerospace, scientific, transportation, medical and machinery requirements.
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