About Laser Cutters
Laser Cutter
The laser cutter is a tool that uses a high-energy beam of light to cut through materials (usually metals). It is generally used in industrial manufactories and typically uses between 2,000 and 4,000 watts of power, even though there are smaller cutters made to generate only 100 watts of power.
Warning
The laser cutter is a potentially dangerous machine that should be used with caution. The beam of light can start fires if not used properly and it also produces hazardous fumes such as chlorine if used with improper materials. All users of the laser cutter are required to receive training prior to using one.
The laser cutter functions by directing the output of a high-powered laser at an object or material to be cut. The laser beam will melt, burn or vaporize the desired area to be cut, leaving an edge with a high quality surface finish.
Benefits
Laser cutters have several advantages and benefits compared with the traditional way of mechanical cutting. Since there is no physical contact between a laser cutter and the material that is being cut, the risk of the material becoming contaminated is substantially lowered. In addition, the laser cutter does not wear out like a mechanical cutting machine does, due to no physical contact.
Pulsed Laser
In order for the laser cutting to begin, somewhere on the edge of the material, a piercing is done prior to every cut. A pulsed laser offers a high-powered burst of energy for a short period of time and is usually effective in the laser cutting process. It is used to start the laser cutting process and when small holes or low cutting speeds are needed. The constant laser beam could melt the entire piece that is being cut, so pulsed lasers are used at this time for low cutting speeds.
