Multiple Laser Cutting Systems To Choose From

Laser Cutting Advantages

Many individuals not currently using lasers are considering incorporating them into their production facilities. With cost justifications, learning curves and other issues to consider, change is often difficult. Laser manufacturing companies are realizing the advantages a laser cutter offers easily makes up for any growing pains. In 1998, companies interested in laser cutting systems spent more than $1 billion.

Laser Cutting, and marking

...is by far the most common material processing application for lasers. Facilities are converting to lasers from mechanical saws, flatbed cutters and electrical discharge machining equipment. What factors are driving this trend? The LIA Guide to Laser manufacturing outlines the advantages of a laser cutter, published by the Laser Institute of America. Some of the advantages can be summarized as follows:

	Minimum heat input, resulting in less distortion of the work material
	High degree of accuracy, consistency, control and flexibility
	Cut components often require no edge cleaning, making them ready for immediate service.
	Increased speed and higher cutter throughput in most circumstances
	Easily automated and computer-controlled
	An extremely small cut width, allows for detailed work and close nesting of components, minimizing waste
	Decreased noise, translating to improved work environments
	Decreased risk of injury compared to many mechanical cutting methods
	Excellent product appearance

Laser cutting often makes the most economic sense in addition to these benefits. Although laser cutters have a high initial equipment cost, this investment often pays for itself, sometimes within a short time frame. All of these factors make laser manufacturing technology an attractive option for most industrial tasks.

A laser cutter can cut almost any material and are currently used extensively with fabrics, textiles, sail cloth, plastics, wood-based products and ceramics. Laser cutters help produce a diverse range of products including, aircraft components, miniature dollhouses, computer chip packaging, and automobile air bags.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers are the most common in the manufacturing world. Lasers provide the most cost-effective tool for most applications.

A note about laser safety

Safety is becoming an ever-increasing part of standardizing in traditional areas as products and in newer areas such as processes and services. Safety standards should, and will, serve to help protect the public. Compliance with a safety standard does not abrogate an employer from his legal responsibilities; conformity may help to protect the employer in a lawsuit. In the laser use community the growing fear may be the law courts!