What Is CNC Laser Cutting How Does It Work And Its Advantages
In this article, we will be looking at the process involved in CNC Laser cutting and how it benefits from the traditional cutting methods.
Unlike in the olden days, customers are on the lookout for state-of-the-art technology where they can fulfil their stringent design requirements and advanced machines capable of doing these jobs.
CNC Laser cutting is the machining technology accepted worldwide by all machinists even though CNC plasma cutting, and CNC wire cutting are being used.
What Is CNC Laser Cutting?
Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) Laser cutting machines work on the principle that a focused high-power laser beam is used to cut, inscribe, or engrave a metal surface to get the desired shapes.
They are specially used to cut intricate shapes and minute holes with a high level of accuracy. This is possible because of their unique design and process of Laser cutting machines.
What Is A CNC Cutter?
A CNC cutter works on computer numerical controls and special computer instructions called G-code to execute the required operations accurately. When it comes to CNC laser cutting, the machine design and its working are slightly different from conventional CNC machines. It works on the principle of a non-contact thermal process. CNC laser cutting machines include a laser head consisting of a laser-focusing lens and a nozzle.
The focusing head and lens focus a beam of the laser through the nozzle. A laser beam is a group of extremely high-intensity light pointed at the workpiece, which gets melted and gets cut into the desired shape. Compressed gas is made use of in CNC lasers to cool the lens and eject the vaporized metal from the workpiece.
How Does A CNC Laser Cutting Machine Work?
When a point on the metallic surface is focused with a high-powered laser beam, rapid heating happens at that point due to the high heat concentration. Not only will it result in rapid heating at that point but also vaporization.
The movements of the laser head and laser beam are controlled by the CNC technology which will help to create desired cuts.
Different Types Of CNC Laser Cutting Machines
Classification of CNC Laser Cutting machines is done based on the state of the laser medium used e.g. – solid, liquid or gas and the component used in the medium e.g.: Carbon dioxide, Nitrogen etc. The most common laser-cutting machines used in the manufacturing industries are:
· CNC CO2 laser cutter
· CNC crystal laser cutter
· CNC fibre laser cutter
Let’s discuss in detail the various models of CNC Laser cutting machines.
What Is CNC CO2 Laser Cutter?
In simple words, CNC CO2 laser cutting machines are the ones where carbon dioxide is used as the operating laser medium. The capacity and capability of these machines to produce superpower output make them the most widely used laser cutters in the market.
The output power of 15KW and generally up to 30% efficiency can be expected in these machines. Suitable for cutting small elements and acute angles, these machines are commonly used to work on sheet metals or any other metals which are lower than 10mm thick.
The greater the power of the machines, the better the quality of the cut on thick metal surfaces.
What Is CNC Fiber Laser Cutting Machines?
One of the most recent advanced technologies in laser cutting is CNC fibre laser cutting. In this technology, the laser beam is created with the help of a group of diodes and is passed across a fibre optic cable. Fibre laser cutting is comparatively faster as well as a cleaner cutting method when it comes to cutting on materials less than 5mm thick. This cutting process is highly compatible with almost all materials, though extra care must be given when using silver metal.
Silver metal has the capability to hold the heat of the laser beam which can in turn damage the whole metal during the cutting process. This is a great challenge faced while using this technology to cut silver metals. To overcome this challenge, machinists usually make use of a bracket to transfer the heat from the metal surface.
What Is CNC Crystal Laser Cutting Machines?
In CNC crystal laser cutting machines, as the name suggests, the laser beam is created with the help of crystals like neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet and neodymium-doped yttrium ortho-vanadate. CNC crystal laser cutting machines are commonly used to cut thick materials because of the high power of the laser beam. These laser-cutting machines are highly compatible with a wide range of materials be it wood, metals or plastics or glass.
Advantages Of CNC Laser Cutting Machines
Since we have learnt about CNC Laser cutting, the various types of it and how each variant is different, let’s now investigate the advantage of these machines over conventional cutting machines. Unlike conventional cutting machines, CNC Laser cutting machines help you to work on jobs where you need to cut complicated shapes and designs and even holes as small as 2mm with greater precision and accuracy.
Since the CNC laser cutting machines used high power laser beams to cut, the cuts are super clean, and the outcome is highly finished cuts thereby eliminating the need for additional finishing processes.
In conventional cutting technology, various other machines like milling and deburring machines are made use of to complete a cutting job. With the arrival of CNC machines, the need for all these additional machines or tools is eliminated.
Since this laser cutting is a non-contact process, making use of this cutting technology reduces the challenges of metal damage or contamination. For a faster cutting process, you can always opt for CNC laser cutting machines, whereas when it comes to cutting materials of greater thickness and jobs where super finishing is required you can choose CNC wire cutting.
Conclusion On What Is CNC Laser Cutting? How Does It Work And Its Advantages?
Conclusion Without any further doubt, CNC laser cutting machines are the most sought technology among machinists in today’s world. Even though CNC Laser cutting machines are expensive, the level of detail it offers in cutting over CNC plasma cutting machines makes it the ideal choice.
Even though CNC laser cutting technology rules out many odds of conventional cutting technology, extreme care must be taken when you use the machine for the first time. Hence, it’s very important to purchase the machine from a top-tier distributor like Hitek group.
They sell highly reputable European brand machines at the best price in India with great warranty and installation and after-sales service options. - Hytek Marketing