Laser Cutting: Understanding the Techniques

There are different cutting techniques utilised in the manufacturing industry. Therefore, if you are thinking about obtaining custom items from a fabricator, you will need to select the best method for making your product. The choice will affect the cost of your project and the quality of the results. One of the suitable cutting processes to consider is laser cutting. This method uses amplified light and electromagnetic radiation to cut the raw material. Here are the primary techniques used by laser cutting services.

Vaporisation Cutting

If you require a custom product made from non-melting raw materials, you should inquire about the availability of vaporisation laser cutting services from your fabricator. Basically, this technique uses the laser beam to heat the surface of the stock material to boiling point. The boiling area will evaporate due to continued exposure to the heat, generating a keyhole. This hole will be the starting point for the rest of the cutting process. In simple terms, the laser beam can easily deepen and extend the hole after the initial breach. The evaporating material will also contribute to enlarging the keyhole and ensure that the finish is smooth. This technique is ideal if you are using raw materials such as wood, non-melting plastic and carbon.

Melt and Blow Cutting

Laser cutting requires electronic equipment to generate the heated beam for the manufacturing process. The machines will require electrical input, and this can be high when cutting tough materials. The melt and blow technique is designed to reduce the electrical demands of laser cutting. It is a perfect choice for your cutting project if you are using metal raw materials. Basically, the laser beam is focused on the area to be cut and allowed to melt the metal. A gas jet which produces high-pressure is then utilised in blowing the molten substance. This limits the need to generate excessive laser heat when cutting.

Thermal Cracking

Brittle fabrication materials are sensitive to thermal energy, so this property can be utilised in laser cutting. This technique focuses the laser beam on a localised area of the raw material. The heat causes thermal expansion, leading to stress fracturing of the material. This method is suitable for your glass fabrication commercial and hobby projects.

You should request for these laser cutting services during your custom fabrication projects because they offers high precision. Basically, the laser beam is not rigid, so it can be easily manipulated for accuracy. In addition, the cutting method produces a smooth finish; you will not need to pay for refining processes.