A Comprehensive Guide to Laser Cutting Technology

We use many variants of cutting processes in different industries. Laser cutting is not an exception. It is widely used for different applications such as metal, nonmetal, ceramic, or so. 

A technology that we looked up to as a conventional form of cutting has its own techniques and processes that provide a whole new range of possibilities for industrial applications.

Besides, manufacturers like Precitec Laser Parts and Prima Laser Parts leave no stone unturned, ensuring different lasers such as Gas lasers, Crystal lasers, and Fiber lasers make the cutting swift and fast. To help you understand it better, we have listed down different techniques and types of lasers.

Types of Laser Used for Cutting

Generally, there are three main types of lasers. They are:

1. Gas Lasers

Gas laser cutting is also known as CO2 cutting. It uses an electrical simulating, i.e., carbon dioxide mixture for cutting. 

The gas laser cutting has its roots dating back to 1964. Back then, the laser was not strong enough to cut metal. Though it is now, the nonmetals remain the specialty. The laser has a wavelength of 10.6 and is widely used in medical and industrial sections. 

For cutting metals such as steel and aluminum, it uses nitrogen. Given the consequences, it is wise to take precautionary measures and ensure that nitrogen is pure. If it is not, the metal may oxidize.

2. Crystal Lasers

The lasers use crystals made from nd: YAG 

(neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) and nd: YVO 

(neodymium-doped yttrium ortho-vanadate). The crystals are of a solid-state group and can cut both metals and nonmetals.

Crystal lasers have a wavelength of 1.064 meters, and you can use it for multiple industrial applications, including medical, dentistry, military, and manufacturing. 

The drawback of using a crystal laser cutting process is that it is made of expensive pump diodes. Up to that, they have a shorter life expectancy than other lasers available in the market. The service life is around 8000-15000 hours. With time, the need to replace pump diodes or other parts can only cost you more.

Manufacturers like Precitec Laser Parts and Prima Laser Parts ensure that the machines are of good quality. So if you are ever looking for one, make sure you check them out. 

3. Fiber Lasers

Here comes the fiber laser cutting, the most popular and widely used process. Optical fibers are of a solid-state group and are quite similar to crystal lasers.

They also have a wavelength of 1.064 meters.

In comparison to CO2 laser cutting, they offer faster speed, less power consumption, and significantly reduced operational costs. 

What makes fiber laser cutting demanding is its service life. The lasers have a life of around 25,000 working hours, far more than the other two. It requires less maintenance. The replacement parts are inexpensive.

With types, it is quite clear that laser technology is a state of the art technology that requires experienced hands with advanced tools.

Different Laser Techniques

As we saw different types of lasers and laser cutting processes, there are different things that we can do with laser technology. Let us check them out. 

1. Marking

Marking is a process in which the laser melts the surface of the material and marks it. 

2. Engraving

Engraving is quite similar to marking. However, here the mark created is quite deep. Barcode creation is an example of it. 

3. Drilling

Drilling is a process that involves the creation of popping holes and dents in the material.

What does it mean for Businesses? 

The vast range of techniques and types means that laser technology is a futuristic approach. It can benefit a vast range of industries such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, semiconductors, and medical.

Even hobbyists and artists can use laser technology to create complex shapes and designs for their artistic purposes.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/a-comprehensive-guide-to-laser-cutting-technology

5 Ways to Reduce Laser Cutting Costs

No doubt that fabricators and machine shops prefer quality laser cutters for custom and high volume jobs. However, you can’t deny the fact that they are expensive despite being effective. 

Many manufacturers even think that their cost of laser cutting is unsustainable. Do you think the same?

If yes, then you must read this article. Here we have listed five ways to cut on the laser cutter cost.

1. Research thoroughly

From buying a pen to a laser cutter, we are always taught to ask questions about the product. Its peculiarities, functioning method, tips for using, and cost.

If you have decided to use a laser cutter, you need to ask questions about cutting edge, laser power, and brand. 

Consider why you need a product and what kind of work you want to accomplish with laser cutting equipment? Research everything about the equipment and then contact the retailer. 

In this stage, while communicating with the retailer, ask questions about the laser cutter. Enquire about the available features, specific functions, laser power strength, etc. Learn about the equipment’s launch, warranties and guarantees, and other terms and conditions. Knowing all this would help you make the right decision, and it would reduce unnecessary costs.

2. Use the flying cuts

Flying cuts means the laser is on when the head is moving. For other cuts, the laser turns on and off when the head stops moving. Implementing these would be beneficial for projects involving numerous holes. A no-break in between reduces the machinery time and optimizes productivity. 

For projects involving thick sheet cutting, this solution may not work that well.

Tip: Try to group your laser projects as it can reduce waste. 

3. Choose the sourcing method

Does your business rely heavily on laser cutting service providers?

Maybe, you are a jeweler and often need a laser cutting service to cut diamonds or other precious items. 

You might want to consider if having an in-house laser cutter would be right or continue outsourcing the service. 

Often, the option for in-house has a high weightage. However, the varying requirements, new materials, budget constraints, customers’ requests, and time required can affect the final decision. 

I am telling you this because sometimes the comfort of outsourcing may cost you double or triple the cost of having in-house equipment. For example, a jewelry designer realized that 44% of their average price went into laser cutting services, whereas the actual cost of the laser cut was $3995.

4. Evaluate the design

Before you activate the laser cutter, evaluate your designs. Narrow parts can add up the cost. So try to use Hypertherm spare parts and Hypertherm hpr260xd parts. 

As for design, check if there are double lines or overlapping objects. The presence of overlapping lines means that the machine would cut it twice, increasing the costs and time. 

Ensure that cutouts and designs are 1x more extensive than your materials’ thickness. Otherwise, accuracy may decrease, and the machine won’t cut it. All these may result in an additional cost for laser cutting projects. Thus, check the designs before you send it to the machine.

5. Keep up with maintenance

Many people think maintenance and repair are the same. Well, it is not. Repairing means to change/fix a part or component. Maintenance means to keep the machine in good condition by checking it on a timely basis. 

So always maintain your laser cutters. Keep a logbook for recording it. Though a no maintenance check may look like a cost-savings option at present, in the long run, it would cost you more.

Last but not least, use high-quality Hypertherm spare parts or Hypertherm hpr260xd parts. 

Final Thought

It might seem hard, but you can easily save a lot on your laser cutting equipment with these tips. Implement them and witness the changes for yourself.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/5-ways-to-reduce-laser-cutting-costs

Difference between Laser Etching and Laser Engraving

In general, laser engraving and etching are the processes of creating permanent markings on the material. They belong to the same category, i.e., laser marking. They are equally compatible with Mazak parts and Fanuc parts. However, they still differ a lot. Where laser etching can reach a depth of 0.0001 inches, laser engraving can only reach a depth of 0.005 inches. 

Let’s learn about them in depth. 

Laser Etching Process

Laser etching is a process that creates a mark by melting the surface. It’s an enhanced concept that involves laser engraving and laser annealing. To make the mark, laser beams generate a high amount of heat, which then distorts the microsurface. The markings are in white and black color. 

It is the preferable choice for permanent marking as it requires less energy from the laser beam. You can use this process for marking, such as data matrix codes, serial numbers, barcodes, and logos.

When can you use the Laser Etching Process?

• If your part is made of metal beside stainless steel.
• You need a cost-effective solution that requires a less intense laser beam.
• You need the laser process to be fast. 
• When you need to integrate the marking before the final treatment like powder coating and heat treating. 

Laser Engraving Process

In this process, the laser sends the highly localized pulse over a thin layer of sheet and creates a code. Instead of creating micro-surface like etching, the laser engraving penetrates the material, exposing the cavity to reveal the image. Here, the laser causes the material to vaporize. The typical use of this technique is to engrave serial numbers and logos. You shouldn’t use it for marking critical parts.

When can you use it?

• You need durable marks
• The material is either steel or aluminum
• You need to integrate markings before treatments like shot blasting and sandblasting.  

Why do you need Laser Etching and Laser Engraving?

There are different marking technologies like inkjet printing, dot peening, and printed labels. However, they come with their maintenance and consumable costs. Not to miss the inconsistent results of these unreliable marking systems.

Laser etching and engraving processes use high-quality parts such as Mazak parts and Fanuc parts. It reduces consumable costs and encodes the information permanently. The product can’t detach after marking. The processes involve high resolution, which means you can encode more information in less space. Laser marking technologies like Fiber and CO2 require no maintenance; pulse fibers consume very little power. 

Difference between Laser Etching and Laser Engraving

Though both are susceptible to make a permanent mark, here are the differences that distinguish them. 

• Laser etching is fast, whereas laser engraving is durable. 
• Laser etching melts the material and thus requires less energy. Laser engraving vaporizes it and requires more energy.
• Laser engraving digs holes that have better protection over abrasion. Laser etching loses it over.
• Laser etching can lift upto 80 microns, whereas laser engraving can lift upto 500 microns. 
• Laser etching only creates black and white marks. For high contrast markings, you should prefer laser engraving.
• Laser etching is a preferable option unless you require high abrasion resistance. In that case, laser engraving would be the right choice. 
• The markings of laser etching processes are usually pale, whereas engraving ensures dark marks. 

Conclusion

Choosing one is not that difficult unless you have a lot of requirements. If you don’t need a detailed and resistant work feature, you can go for laser etching. The material would matter, though. For a high resistant mark, choose laser engraving. 

This is what we think, but your final choice should be the one that meets all your conditions.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/difference-between-laser-etching-and-laser-engraving

Top 6 Benefits of Laser Engraving Machines

Laser cutting is an advanced level technology useful in many metal fabrication projects. There are many different methods that fabricators use to cut metal, but laser cutting is one of the most advanced techniques, because of their ability to make precise cuts at an unmatched speed.

So, if you too are in manufacturing and are considering using laser cutting in your next project, you might be thinking about its benefits.

Today, in this article, we decided to come up with the benefit of laser cutting machines. Let’s discuss them in brief:

1. Short lead times:

Laser cutting is known to cut metals accurately at faster speeds. When you are dealing with metals under ⅜” thick, laser cutters will cut faster. When dealing with thick materials, the cutting time length increases, but they still work quickly. Laser cutters suit well for operations of both small and large scales and can help shorten production time. To do so, it decreases the time occupied by cutting materials. With the right type of laser cutter, fabricators offer the fastest cutting speeds on the market. Additionally, use laser machines which have mitsubishi replacement parts, mazak replacement parts  as they are easy to find and replace.

Laser cutters can be very useful in helping to rapidly create prototypes. Additionally, you can decrease the cutting times, and laser fabrication increases efficiency because you can program multiple parts simultaneously.

2. Precision:

Nothing can beat laser cutters in precision. CNC routers program the cutters for complex cuts in elaborate geometric patterns, and the result is accurate cuts and shapes. A laser cutter provides clean edges and a smooth finish. They can easily burn, vaporize, or melt. Due to this, there is no extra debris, which can lead to rough cuts. This not only creates high-quality parts but even helps to reduce waste during production. Laser cutters can produce parts with a high degree of accuracy; they are a perfect choice to cut parts to fabricate aerospace parts and medical devices. It’s a tight dimensional tolerance, and quality standards are necessary. 

3. Energy:

The efficiency of laser cutters, combined with technology, causes it to use less energy than other cutting methods. Laser cutters will use about 10kW of power during the cutting process. At the same time, other cutting mechanisms use 50kW of power. The manufacturers work smarter and use less energy both as a cost-saving mechanism and environmentally friendly. They are a great way to cut down energy usage during fabrication.

4. Consistency:

Laser cutters provide precise cuts. You need to be sure that your parts and assemblies are accurate. Laser cutters programmed with CNC CAD/CAM programs. It ensures that the same cuts can repeat as many times as necessary. Because laser cutting is very precise, you can be sure that its cuts will be exactly as programmed. The result is consistency in each fabrication project. When creating multiple copies of the same products, you can be sure that each copy comes out. You can also assure that each time you use the laser cutter, it will produce the same quality product.

5. Versatility:

Multi-axis lasers allow a wide range of projects that laser cutters can complete. Laser cutters can accurately cut a wide variety of material, including metals, alloys, diamonds, plastics, woods, and glass, and even different materials at once in intricately precise shapes. Their precision and accuracy mean that the types of cuts that laser cutters can make are endless.

6. Reduced Finishing Requirements:

The laser cutter produces highly precise cuts that lead to a few necessary finishing requirements. Edges produced by laser cutters are smooth and free from burrs. The beam focuses tightly, meaning there will not be internal flaws from heat exposure. Laser cutters will produce high quality, precise cuts; quality checks will take less time. They ensure that all parts specifications are met and lead to efficient quality checks.

Conclusion:

Make sure to use the laser engraving machines to its full potential and show your creative side to the world. You can also turn into a fabricator and start your own business. Make sure to use the laser machines with Mitsubishi replacement parts, Mazak replacement parts as they are easy to find and replace.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/top-6-benefits-of-laser-engraving-machines