Laser cutting is a gold standard when it comes to high-quality fabrication services across industries. This advanced technology creates complex design patterns by cutting into materials including metals, plastic, glass, wood, and many more. From melting, burning, engraving, or vaporizing the material — laser cutting is the ultimate method.
This technology utilizes a powerful, focused laser beam to cut the material blocks into bespoke patterns and shapes. It is a high-power thermal-based fabrication process that has become a ‘must-have method’ in several industries. On this note, let’s sneak peek into fun and interesting facts about laser cutting technology:
It’s half-a-decade old technology
Laser cutting services sound like modern advancement, but it’s been around us for more than five decades. In the mid-1960, scientists from the Western Electric Engineering Research Center created the first laser cutting machine, which the technicians used to cut diamonds.
Some machines can perform welding
For catering to advanced laser cutting service, some machines are also capable of performing welding. Depending on the specific style, a laser cutting machine may also perform welding processes. Mainly, there are three types of setups available — CO2, Nd, and ND:YAG.
Among these two, the ND:YAG and CO2 laser cutting machines can do the welding process. Nd type of laser machine is not able to perform any welding work. However, the Nd machines are suitable for tasks that require minimal repetition.
The image used for illustration purposes. Zeal 3D Printing is not the owner or creator of the image. (Image Source: Opt Lasers on Unsplash)
It can achieve focus up to 0.001 inches
Another performance-driven fact about laser cutting is that it offers much higher cutting accuracy and surface finishing as compared to other methods. Laser cutting machines can focus the powerful laser beam to the surface area with a diameter of only 0.001. With such accurate laser focus, the beam can focus on very tight spaces with higher precision. Using a powerful laser beam, manufacturers can achieve high-quality cutting and excellent surface finish.
Laser cutting supports more than 25K applications
As Industry 4.0 is on the verge of disruption, industries are using laser cutting technology to accomplish thousands of jobs. There are more than 25,000 high-power laser cutting applications that enterprises are leveraging to perform bespoke jobs. With laser machines, companies can cut a wide range of materials, including wood, fabrics, paper, acrylic, metals, and many more.
Several companies are offering professional laser cutting in Melbourne, Brisbane, and other places to uplift the overall fabrication process.
It’s environmentally safe
As compared to other fabrication processes, laser cutting is a safer and environmentally sustainable technique. Technicians can efficiently operate this machine without any specialized training. As the material wastage is lower and it decreases the harmful gases, laser-cutting is highly eco-friendly. While the equipment performs operations, the technician controls it from a remote location, improving overall safety.
Laser cutting demands high power
Laser cutting machines are high-power-driven setups that constantly need substantial electric power to execute the jobs. However, the power consumption varies based on the complexity and duration of the fabrication job. The power efficiency of these machines lies between 5% to 45%. From a laser cut of aluminium to paper, or wood, the machines’ laser power varies and directly impacts energy utilization.
The image used for illustration purposes. Zeal 3D Printing is not the owner or creator of the image. (Image Source: Opt Lasers on Unsplash)
Some machines use gas
There is some particular machine type, including melt and blow, that leverages gas to cut through the material. In this process, the laser warms up the material block, and the pressurized gas facilitates the entire cutting operations. This cutting machine delivers smoother fabrication with different types of materials. Methods like melt and blow are ideal for cutting holes into hard and soft metal blocks, including titanium, stainless steel, and aluminium.
Laser’s intensity matters
The laser cutting method’s best part is that it’s highly customizable as per the material and the thickness. To cut through a thicker block of metal, technicians will need a high-intensity laser. Similarly, on the other side, to cut metal sheets, a low-intensity laser is ideal. The laser intensity is measured with the unit of power, for example, 1,000 watts. The intensity is calculated by dividing the total energy by the surface area over which the laser is equally distributed.
Several companies offer a wide range of laser cutting in Brisbane and other cities to boost the manufacturing process. Laser cutting is ideal for both small-batch and mass manufacturing.
Advantages of laser cutting
Manufacturing industries leverage laser cutting services as it comes with substantial benefits across the entire product lifecycle. Some of the compelling applications of laser cutting are:
- Highly accurate and precise
- It offers a faster turn-around time
- Laser is relatively cost-effective as compared to other processes
- It offers a comprehensive material compatibility
- Safer to operate
These were the top interesting facts about the robust laser-cutting technology. If you are looking for professional laser cutting in Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane, Zeal has got you covered. Get in touch with Zeal to know more about our laser cutting fabrication services.
