What is laser cutting & how does it work?
Laser cutting is the most accurate method for cutting materials delivering extremely precise part production and high process stability. Intricate shapes may be cut from either metal sheet, plate and many other materials without the need for investment in tooling. Laser cutting is also generally regarded as a ‘low distortion’ process, compared with other thermal cutting options. The focused laser beam heats the material surface and a very local melt capillary is quickly established throughout the depth of the material. The diameter of this capillary is usually just slightly greater than the diameter of the focused laser beam. Laser cutting is performed using an assist gas. The significant feature of gas assisted laser cutting is that the molten material is ejected from the base of the capillary by a jet of gas coaxial with the laser beam. For some materials this gas can further assist the process by chemical (exothermic) reaction as well as physical work. The cut is generated by either
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