top of page

HELP CENTER

WHO UTILIZES METAL LASER CUTTING SERVICES?

Automotive

One of the key industries that heavily relies on laser cutting is automotive manufacturing. Cars and trucks are comprised of thousands of precisely made components which is why automakers need laser cutters, as no other machine delivers such detailed product with more high-speed efficiency. Additionally, the automotive industry encompasses multiple stages of development, many of which require laser cuts.

 

Because today’s auto parts are much smaller and sophisticated than in the past, each must be cut into specific shapes and sizes. Not only can laser cutters do this work more efficiently than other machines, the process allows for smoother edges and maximizes the use of materials. Compared with other processes, it’s the least wasteful, which allows a company to be an active participant in sustainable manufacturing. Automakers also favor laser cutters because they are much safer to use than other cutting tools and provide a more secure environment for employees.

 

Engraving serial numbers on parts is another function of laser cutting that is essential for automakers, as well as many other industries. Furthermore, precision laser cutting is not just for metal applications. Lasers are used for cutting various materials including the cloth for automotive airbags.

 

Musical Instruments

While many musical instruments are still hand-crafted, the majority of mass manufacturers in the field rely on laser cutting for quality control purposes. The guitar is still the best-selling instrument in America according to the National Association of Music Merchant statistics, selling over 2 million units per year. Guitars must be manufactured in a precise manner in order to produce high quality sound, as any small defects can compromise sound frequencies.

 

Laser cutters must be used to cut almost every aspect of the guitar from the body to the face, neck and fretboard. The curvy S-shaped body of an acoustic guitar is particularly crucial to achieve pristine sonic elegance. Electric guitars have electronic metal components, which are also cut with laser machines. Several other musical instruments are more efficiently manufactured with these state-of-the-art cutters.

 

Medical

Modern medical equipment manufacturing has experienced remarkable advancement by the advent of laser cutting. Due to its high demand, it is critical for the medical industry to continue to find innovative methods to cut costs while developing life-saving equipment. Additionally, medical devices are getting smaller, which calls for finer cuts that only a laser cutter can effectively provide.

Keyword: laser cutting

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING A METAL LASER CUTTER?

Drilling Holes in Metal

Hand drills are still useful for various applications, especially for home renovation. But mass manufacturing necessitates lightning speed with high precision. There’s not much room for error in today’s competitive business environment, as unsatisfactory production simply doesn’t “cut it” in our current marketplace. Laser cutters are the solution that outperform other cutting machines on almost every level.

 

Laser cutters drill holes more accurately and quickly than other cutting devices and provide a cost-effective solution for mass production. Since laser cutters are computer-based, they also allow the flexibility for automated cuts and drilling. Products designed in CAD can be intricately programmed in the pattern based on X,Y and sometimes Z coordinates.

 

Efficient Use of Sheet Metal

Another attraction to laser cutting for metal fabrication is it’s an eco-friendly option. Since lasers cut with such exactness, minimal waste is generated. But even the small metal waste scrap can be used for recycling, especially for aluminum or steel. Less wasted material results in more financial benefit to a manufacturer due to the cost savings of using less metal.

 

Sheet metal is also widely utilized by fabricators due to its exceptionally light weight and flexibility which allow it to be cut into nearly any imaginable shape. Thickness or gauge of metal determines what type of laser cutter is most appropriate for a given project. The most extensively used varieties of sheet metal are stainless steel, aluminum and alloys such as brass.

 

Punching and Stamping

Two widely used processes for metal fabrication are punching and stamping. Both are somewhat similar in concept to a traditional printing press in function. A punch applies pressure to a die, which is a mold of the product. Traditionally, the process was manual, but now it’s commonly performed much more quickly and accurately by a CNC machine. It’s an excellent mechanism for making tools.

 

Custom metal stamping encompasses a broader array of processes for cutting shapes including embossing, bending and coining. Once again, CNC machines are commonly used for this process due to detailed precision and reliable high-speed production.

Keywords: metal fabrication

HOW DOES THE LASER WORK?

Laser cutting has revolutionized and accelerated manufacturing processes, particularly those that involve cutting metal, plastic and wood. While commercial laser cutting machines are common among industrial manufacturers, they are also be found in schools and independent workshops. Here are some key points to remember when planning projects that involve laser cutting.

 

Widely Used Types of Laser Cutting Machines

  • 2-D laser cutting

  • 3-D laser cutting

  • Tube laser cutting

  • c02 laser cutting

  • Fiber laser cutting

 

Evolution of Laser Beams

Cutting, drilling, marking, and engraving can all be achieved with laser cutters, which first appeared in 1960. The term “LASER” began as an acronym for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.” The technology was based on shining a beam of concentrated light on material resulting in cutting which was an early process. Bell Labs further developed the technology in the mid-sixties when laser drilling was introduced. By the seventies, laser machines were embraced by the aerospace industry and in the following decade, laser machines had become a multi-billion dollar industry serving a wide range of manufacturing industries.

 

How Lasers Work

The column of intense light that forms a laser beam exists on a single wavelength. Most laser beams are in the infrared part of the light spectrum, making them invisible to the human eye. Lasers shine through a beam path but can be bounced around by mirrors known as “bend mirrors” prior to exiting through a nozzle and ultimately, the laser-cutting head. This intense concentration of light produces heat that melts metal, which makes cutting and drilling easy.

 

Laser cutting can be compared with using a magnifying glass to amplify sunlight to burn a hole through paper. For quality control with CNC laser cutters, it’s important to adjust the focal point in relation to the metal plate either above, at, or below the surface of the plate, depending on the application. The focused beam can be as narrow as .004 inch in diameter.

 

Three different general configurations exist for how laser beams move over material including moving material, flying optics systems and hybrid. Lasers designed for moving material use a stationary cutting head as the material travels underneath. Hybrid lasers include a table that moves in the longer axis while the cutting head moves along the shorter axis. These motions are represented by X and Y axes. The term “Z-axis” refers to a controlled cutting head.

 

One of the key benefits to a laser beam is lack of wear and tear during cuts, making it more efficient and durable than traditional cutting machines. Laser machines allow fast precision cuts and produce less contamination in the workplace.

Keywords: laser cutting

bottom of page