A laser cutter is a device that creates patterns, shapes and designs in materials such as wood, glass, paper, metal and plastic, by cutting into them with a high-power laser. The precision of a laser makes for a clean cut and smooth finish. Laser cutting has been used for many decades in large-scale manufacturing, but more recently laser cutters have become more affordable and are increasingly used by hobbyists, schools and small businesses.
CO2 laser cutting systems are able to cut variety of thin metal and non-metal materials of wood, MDF, plywood, chipboard, acrylic, plastic, PMMA, leather, fabric, cardboard, paper, rubber, depron foam, woodleather, wood paper, EPM, gator foam, polyester (PES), polyethylene (PE), polyurethane (PUR), neoprene, textile, bamboo, ivory, carbon fibers, beryllium oxide, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl butyrale (PVB), polytetrafluoroethylenes (PTFE / Teflon), phenolic or epoxy resins, and any materials with halogens (fluorine, astatine, iodine, chlorine, bromine).
With sublimation cutting, a laser beam brings the material to its vaporization point directly in a process that is called sublimation. An inert, or inactive, cutting gas—such as nitrogen, helium, or argon—forces the molten material out of the cut piece part.
For dual-purpose commercial use, all-in-one laser cutters are available from $42,500 up to $116,000.
If you are not a hobbyist but somewhat of working from home kind of person, you might want to take a look at this laser engraving machine. This BIBO 3D Printer Dual Laser Engraving Machine works on objects that are organic in nature and softer e.g leather, wood, paper, and plastics.
It's not cheap, but overall, this is a very capable system that allows you to cut on a work area up to 200 x 200mm and at a rate of 9,000mm/s. The interface is relatively simple to use with a touchscreen and support for CorelDraw, AutoCad, and Photoshop format files. And best of all, it comes with software pre-installed, so you can get right to work.
A fiber laser generator is the best option if you need to cut sheet and tube metal. This includes well-respected brands like Raycus, Raycus and MAX. You can use a CO2 laser tube to engrave or cut wood, acrylic leather, fabric and leather. It includes some of the most renowned brands like RECI and YONGLI.
Take the raw material and cut it. Then check to see if the cut is smooth. Adjust the equipment parameters to correct any deviations until proofing meets requirements.
It's as simple as 1-2-3. Our laser machines are just like standard printers, so they make your workflow easy.
If you confirm your needs, you can go to do research on it. Maybe you can learn from your peers, and understand the machine functions and basic parameters. Select a few powerful manufacturers with favorable prices to conduct preliminary exchanges and proofing, and then conduct on-site investigations in the later stage, and conduct more detailed discussions on prices, online and offline training, and after-sales services.
The laser attaches to the computer much like a printer using USB or Ethernet. You can start cutting by using the design program of your choice!
AMADA laser cutting systems utilize the latest advances in fiber laser and CO2 manufacturing technology that enable customers to maximize their productivity and profitability. The laser technology in AMADA fiber laser and CO2 cutting machines allows for high cutting speeds and the flexibility to process a wide range of materials like aluminum, steel, copper and brass resulting in Process Range Expansion (P.R.E.). AMADA's Fiber Laser Cutting Systems and CO2 Laser Cutting Systems range from 1kW to 12kW. Their advanced motion and innovative beam delivery systems are engineered to raise productivity, increase cut quality and reduce operating costs.
The technological parameters (cutting speed, laser power, gas pressure) and movement trajectory during slitting are controlled by the CNC system, and the slag at the slit is blown off by the auxiliary gas with a certain pressure.
This laser cutter is compatible with CorelDraw (not included), and there's a handy USB port you can use to get your designs onto the machine. You can see it in action in this video (opens in new tab).
Polycarbonate is an unsuitable material for laser cutting. ABS It emits cyanide gas and melts. ABS is difficult to cut with a laser cutter. It melts rather than vaporizes, and it is more likely to catch fire and leave melted gooey deposits on the vector cutting grid.
Laser Cutting Process Drawbacks
When compared to other techniques, laser cutting requires a high power consumption.
The laser beam is extremely delicate to handle.
If the laser beam comes into contact with human workers, it is hazardous.
Laser cutting is still unable to cut thick metals.
Cutting thick materials is difficult.
The less effective laser cutting becomes as the material thickness increases. For example, when it comes to cutting thick sheets of carbon steel, laser cutting may be difficult.