12 Primary Parts of a Laser Cutter

Laser cutting is basically a technology that uses a laser cutter to vaporize materials and results in precise cutting. It can be used on many things including copper, plastic, composites, textiles, steel, etc. The main components in a laser cutting machine are laser cutters. And in this article, we are going to talk about different components of laser cutters. Let us get started then.

 

The laser cutter primarily consists of the main cutting machine and electricity. The whole laser cutting system is composed of the CNC controller (electrical control), mechanical part, and laser generator + reflector path. The auxiliary equipment list of the laser cutter is:

 

• Filter
• Stabilizer power supply
• Water chiller
• Air cleaner
• Gas cylinder
• Air compressor
• Cooling dryer
• Gas storage tank
• Slag discharging machine

 

Now let us dig deep into each component of the laser cutter. But you need to remember that below are only the main system parts; there are also minor vital parts that need your attention. Also, having spare parts is necessary for any emergency. So, you can invest in Hypertherm hpr260xd parts and Hypertherm hpr130xd spare parts for enhancing the performance of your laser cutter.

 

1. Laser cutter frame

 

It is the mechanical part to record the movement in the X, Y, Z-axis, on the platform where laser cutting is performed. Laser cutter frames vary as per the purpose of the machine. When it comes to fiber laser cutting machines, they have extremely high requirements for machine tool stability. So, the frames are manufactured accordingly.

 

It is important to have high precision with high stability machine tools to improve laser cutting output quality. The mainstream machine tools here are cantilever type, gantry type, and beam type.

 

Also, different machine tools have different functions like beam-type machine tools used for material cutting by large company's manufacturers. There are different models for specific fields like 3D fiber laser cutting used in the automotive industry.

 

2. Laser Generator

 

It is a device that produces a laser light source. These generators are the most potent and expensive source of laser equipment like an engine in the car. These generators are useful to supply electricity and power to the laser cutting machine.

 

3. Lenses

 

Laser lenses are the most useful parts of the entire fiber laser cutter. Many optical devices have laser lenses. Different lenses have various functions like semi-reverse lenses, full-reflex lenses, and focusing lenses. Ensure that you are using good quality lenses as the quality of them will directly affect the output power of the laser. And this will affect the overall performance of the machine. These lenses are available in two types:

 

• Domestic
• Imported

 

The difference is in both price and quality, so if you are investing for the long run, then you must go for imported lenses. 

 

4. Laser Generator

 

A laser generator is useful for converting electrical energy into light energy. For instance, it converts CO2 lasers with a conversion rate of 20%. Here, the remaining energy gets converted into heat.

 

5. Water Chiller

 

The chilling or cooling water keeps the excess heat away. This is important to make the laser generator function properly. It also cools down the focusing mirror and external optical path reflector. This way, you can keep the quality of stable beam transmission neat and prevent the lends from turning too hot. Eventually, with a water chiller, you can prevent cracks and generator damage.

 

6. CNC System

 

The control system is one of the leading operating systems of the fiber laser cutting machine. It controls the machine tool to record the movement of the X, Y, and Z axes. It even controls the output power of the laser.

 

Again, choosing a good quality system is important here; it would affect the stability of the fiber laser cutting machine. One needs to control the software of the system accurately to get the precise results.

 

7. Gas Cylinders

 

The laser cutter includes industrial gas cylinders like auxiliary gas cylinders and medium gas cylinders. These cylinders are usually useful for supplementing laser oscillations and supplying cutting head use.  

 

8. Motor

 

The motor system of the laser cutting machine is a core component of the entire system.

Its performance will directly affect the processing effect of the laser and the production efficiency of the product.

 

9. Stepper Motor

 

This motor has a sensitive response and a fast-starting speed. It is perfectly suitable for cutting and engraving processes. Its quality will directly affect the final output. The price of this motor is usually less even if you go for the excellent quality ones.

 

10. Servo Motor

 

This motor provides you with fast-moving speed, stable performance, smooth movement, smooth edge processing, high load, and fast cutting speed. It is usually high in price but is suitable for almost all industries and purposes. 

 

11. Slag Discharge Machine

 

You need this machine to eliminate the leftover or waste materials during the laser cutting method. It will automatically collect all the waste generated during the process. 

 

12. Dust Extractor

 

This is useful for filtering smoke and dust produced during the fabrication process. This extractor processes the smoke and dust to give environmentally protective surroundings around the machine.

 

Besides the above-mentioned parts, you also need to invest in quality minor essential parts and even spare parts. Hypertherm hpr130xd spare parts and Hypertherm hpr260xd parts are what I am talking about. These parts will ensure the smooth running of your laser machine.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/12-primary-parts-of-a-laser-cutter

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