Laser cutting is considered one of the most efficient processes used for cutting through an array of materials for manufacturing purposes. Today, modern lasers can be used on wood, composites, plastics, metals, and more. They are known for highly accurate and precise cuts. However, there are also some myths about lasers that are heart throughout the manufacturing community. Keep reading to get more information about these myths, along with the truth.
Myth: They Are Difficult to Operate
Today, lasers are more sophisticated than ever before. Because of this, there are many people who believe they are hard to operate, as well. However, as manufacturers have worked to improve the results produced by laser cutters, they have also made them much easier to use. Because of this, lasers are easy to understand and the programming capabilities are intuitive. Also, a laser can create panners via CAD files or drawings. It is possible to change the cut’s depth by altering the laser’s power. Since laser cutters have become so advanced, they will even self-adjust the parameters to different thicknesses and materials, as needed.
Myth: Lasers Burn the Materials Being Cut
When cutting wood, laser cutters may char the end of the wood’s surface; however, they will not “burn away” the edges of the material. With materials besides wood, there will not be any charring. When laser cutting is used, the cutter receives a sharp edge with the specified dimensions. The HAZ or heat-affected zone is extremely small. When dealing with composites or plastics, the right laser can even effectively seal the cut’s edges.
Myth: Ability to Cut Through Any Thickness
Laser cutting offers an effective cutting process. It can cut through almost any thickness. However, even a laser cutter will have certain limits. A laser cutter will be able to cut aluminium and stainless steel up to one-half inch. They can also cut through the steel of ¾ inch. A laser cutter is extremely effective when it comes to cutting materials of higher thicknesses; however, there is no cutting technique that is without certain limits.
Myth: Higher Wattage is Required for a Competitive Cut Speed
Each year, manufacturers are creating lasers that have higher wattages. The main reason for this is that this higher level of power allows a laser to cut through thicker materials more effectively. However, the higher wattage is not always going to result in more productivity. The power density is a more important factor than the wattage to the cut’s efficiency. The power efficiency determines the number of laser watts that are focused on a single square centimetre. Usually, the lower wattage lasers will provide a much higher beam quality. As a result, they can be focused on a much smaller area. If someone needs to cut a material that has a medium thickness, they should use a lower wattage laser.
When it comes to laser cutting, knowing the truth about the process is essential. Keep the information here in mind to know what is a myth and what is the truth.
