What Are the Four Steps of Laser Cutting?

To start a new job with your CO2 laser cutter, you must close the lid of the laser cutter. Opening the lid will cancel the laser job, and the lens assembly will return to its original position. Once you have finished a new job, the laser cutter will be ready for the next one. To stop the laser, press the red reset button on the lid. Then, close the lid. Open the lid again, and the laser will start its next job. Read below some major steps of laser cutting service.

Focal Spot:

In laser cutting, the focus spot is the area where the beam’s diameter is the smallest. A laser that cuts objects with a narrow spot will have an extremely small spot, but that’s not the case in real life. A larger focal spot will require a larger laser lens, and a small spot will require a smaller one for practical purposes. The focal spot is also referred to as the “focus tolerance” since it measures how much the beam’s diameter will converge to a smaller area.

Vector cutting:

Vector cutting is a technique used to produce many kinds of metal and plastic products. The cutting process is done by tracing an image or profile on a material using a laser. The laser is placed at a predetermined point and moves along the line until the shape is cut. This process is commonly used for metal signs, decorative metal features, machine parts, and jewelry. It provides high quality and accuracy. Listed below are some of the benefits of vector cutting.

Scribing:

The second scribing step is similar to the first, but the process is more precise. The laser beam produces a narrower slit, and, as a result, the workpiece deforms less than one micron. Additionally, there is less heat-affected zone and machining stress, making it a suitable process for various metal parts. It can also cut the protective maskant without damaging the part, making it an excellent solution for small batches and high-volume production.

CO2 lasers:

CO2 lasers are used for non-metallic materials like wood, textiles, acrylic, and stone. In addition to marking, CO2 lasers effectively cut various non-metal materials. These lasers offer a smooth surface finish and faster straight-line cutting. CO2 lasers are also used in pharmaceutical packaging.