What is Laser Cutting?
Laser cutting works by exciting a gaseous medium, commonly carbon dioxide, causing it to amplify light reflected back and forth multiple times within the laser chamber. The light emerges from an aperture and is focused by a lens onto a specific point. The resulting beam is about 1/5 of a millimeter wide.
Laser cutting is a way to cut precise patterns in metal, plastic, wood, and practically every other material that man works with. It allows a level of accuracy and complexity impossible with conventional machining tools. Laser cutting works by exciting a gaseous medium, commonly carbon dioxide, causing it to amplify light reflected back and forth multiple times within the laser chamber. The light emerges from an aperture and is focused by a lens onto a specific point. A typical process laser has a beam about a 1/5 of a millimeter in width, focusing 1000 to 2000 watts of energy. This is enough to melt most common materials. Because lasers become less focused and lose energy as they penetrate through a material, there is a limit of about 20 mm for the deepness of the cut. Laser cutting machines are integrated into a larger CAD/CAM (computer-aided-design, computer-aided-manufacturing) system that takes a design file and implements it on a workpiece. These machines represent a stepping sto
Lasers have been used for many years to alter or isolate conductors on integrated circuits. Systems designed for this purpose work on the principle that laser light, generally from a pulsed laser, when focused through microscope optics, can selectively remove material from an IC without otherwise damaging it. If done properly, lasers can be used to cut or remove metal lines, open holes in some types of passivations, or cut polysilicon conductors on ICs. If done improperly, material from the conductor being cut can be moved into insulating layers causing shorts. There are three predominant laser types used for laser cutting. In the infrared wavelengths, Nd:YAG (Neodymium Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) lasers operating at a frequency of 1064 nm are the most common. In the visible wavelengths (green) there are two major types of lasers that are used: the frequency doubled Nd:YAG laser at 532 nm and the Xenon gas laser operating at a wavelength of 500 nm with a pulsed power output of about 150 J
As imagined in movies, laser cutting is a concentration of heat, passed thinly in a controlled definition. Effectively, laser cutting can replace engraving, gas cutting and water jet cutting. Advantages of laser cutting are 1. Fine detail can be achieved without further processing. 2. Wide range of materials can be processed (cut). 3. Protective barriers (such as over laminate tapes) can remain on the surface area. This eliminates scratching, secondary processing faults and transport. Laser cutting is an excellent choice for cutting Acrylic / Perspex. The cut edge results appear smooth and at 90 angle to surface. This cut angle allows perfect nesting or ‘shelling’ of multiple sign colors, letters etc. Born amongst CAD (computer aided drawing), CNC routers and Sign Plotters, Laser cutting is latest technology manufacturing and requires certain understandings to achieve effective signage. 1. Path Direction and Minimum Nesting 2. Depth Controls 3. Material Knowledge 4. Lift and Drop (Star
