Laser cutting metal is a fabrication method widely used in manufacturing parts and components for industries ranging from aerospace, electronics, architecture, and automotive to medical, metalworking, construction, HVAC and many other fields. It’s a common mistake to assume that the kerf width is so narrow as to be insignificant. A CNC laser cutting machine cutting designs into a metal sheet. So, to that end, buy the most wattage you can afford (and can power and keep cool). We design and engineer our own CO2 and fiber laser cutter and engraver systems here in the USA. Laser Source: CO2 laser, 30-120 watts; Work Area: 16" x 12" (406 x 305 mm) up to 40" x 28" (1016 x 711 mm) Max. Cutting a single layer of lightweight fabric should be easy at 20 watts. The laser cutting process involves focusing a laser beam, usually with a lens (sometimes with a concave mirror), to a small spot which has sufficient power density to produce a laser cut. are demonstration laser products subject to the requirements of 21 CFR 1040.11(c). Productivity by design One major way is by dramatically boosting productivity. Yes, there were some higher machine ratings available, but the most common were in this range. Mini Precision. The depth of field generated by the laser … Chart 4. Epilog's high-speed CO2 laser machines come in a variety of configuations to fit your budget and application processing needs. With great power comes great expense, but here are three entry-level options that will have you beaming. Design the parts to align with laser cutting process requirements. “Some of ... except stronger air pressure requirements, as the cutting air compound may require to be replaced with oxygen or other metal cutting assistance gas for better cutting quality. Metal tube and plate. Now, higher-wattage systems paired with increasingly ri laser cutting process, said Dustin Diehl, laser division product manager for Amada America (Buena Park, CA). Things to be aware of are the mode quality, beam waste, spot size, and depth of field. In plasma cutting, it’s about watts — power. Metal and Nonmetal. However, a statistical survey conducted by the AMT Laser System Product Group indicates a steady increase during the last 12 months of installations for high-power 3,000- to 4,000-watt laser systems and a decline in sales of lasers with power levels less than 2,000 watts. The most common power levels ranged between 1,500 and 2,000 watts. When switching from CO2 to fiber laser cutting, or when upgrading to a higher wattage laser, it is important to evaluate your current dust collection system and determine whether it is up to the job. Cutting stacked fabric will take significantly more since the focal point of the laser won't be optimum for all the layers. Still, fabric is easy to cut, so a 60 watt or so should be able to handle it. Higher wattage lasers can etch or engrave more quickly, but the lower wattage UM-1 laser can perform the same markings with an extended cycle time. In this way, one machine can meet a variety of cutting requirements and achieve the effect of multi-purpose. For such large orders, if dies can be fashioned to reliably handle the required details of part geometries, there is usually little advantage to laser cutting systems because even the highest wattage modern systems are still a bit slower. Fiber lasers have an emission wavelength of around 1.07 µm, compared to 10.6 µm for traditional CO 2 alternatives. CO2 Lasers are among the most versatile of laser cutting and engraving machines capable of handling a number of different materials including wood, metal, glass, … The best way to determine your laser wattage requirements is to know the maximum thickness of material you need to cut through and the amount of product you need to engrave in a day. Used in various industrial applications, this process can create permanent marks (laser marking), remove contaminants and coatings from surfaces (laser cleaning), modify a part’s roughness (laser texturing), cut through a surface (laser cutting) and much more. Laser ablation occurs when a laser beam removes material from a localized area. Fiber laser cutting heads designed for 1 to 4 kW cannot handle the energy density of the ultrahigh-power lasers. In a plasma torch, volts and amps both count. The power of each laser can be changed according to the specific cutting requirements. Only those manufacturers who have studied and perfected the fiber delivery, optical purity, and optical contamination issues are able to reach 8, 10, 15 or 20 kW with the reliability and up time demanded by high production shops. Class 4 laser … Products Middle Metal Plate. It's quite frustrating that the mainstream laser companies use a percentage to set speed, it obfuscates their actual performance. Image credit: Andrey Armyagov/Shutterstock.com. This occurrence is due to the increasing intensity of the beam as the laser’s power increases (Power density (Intensity) = P/πr2). Discover your laser cutting, engraving, and marking solution at Boss Laser. For many years, the industry standard was based upon the most-common laser wattage sold throughout the late 1990s and 2000s—that being in the range of a 4 kW carbon dioxide (CO 2) laser. The best way to determine your laser wattage requirements is to know the maximum thickness of material you need to cut through and the amount of product you need to engrave in a day. It will be listed either in Arabic numerals (1 2, 3R, 3B, 4) or in Roman numerals (I, II, IIIa, IIIb, IV). The Pro has double the warranty. The power of each laser can be changed according to the specific cutting requirements. Professional Metal tube Coil Steel Laser Cutting Sheet metal cutting requires a power density of 10 6 watts/in 2 (source: Mike Klos @ laser mechanisms) Converting to millimeters, that's 1550 watts/mm 2. Plasma cutting is different. Laser cutting works by directing the output of a high-power laser most commonly through optics. ↩ PD IEC TR 60825-14:2004. Material Height: 4.5" (114 mm) up to 13.25" (336 mm) Materials compatible with a CO2 laser cutting machine: Laser cutting of mild steel and stainless steel has a long history and has been one of the primary applications for CO 2 lasers. Chart #4 illustrates the characteristics for the four cutting lasers. However CO 2 lasers have not traditionally offered a good solution for cutting highly reflective materials. Let this overview of three different types guide you on your way. Equipment classification and requirements. Safety of laser products: Part 1. Cutting things properly also involves matching the wavelength of the laser to the material to be cut; for most materials, this will be in the far IR range - not the near IR range, or UV range of most readily available and inexpensive laser diodes. While typically used for industrial manufacturing applications, it is also starting to be used by schools, small businesses, and hobbyists. Each and every RMI Laser series is capable of marking on fiberglass and carbon fiber and the ideal system for your application depends on your marking requirements. Safety of laser products - Part 14: A user’s guide. This process is suitable for a wide range of materials, including metal, plastic, wood, gemstone, glass, and paper, and can produce … While other factors may come up along the way, these basic considerations are a great place to start. How can a Speedy laser engravers empower you? Flame cutting, also called reactive cutting, utilizes a laser beam coupled with oxygen gas or air to heat the substrate to its ignition temperature.While the heat produced by the laser beam melts the surface, the gas exothermically reacts with the substrate and creates an additional source of … Laser cutting is a fabrication process which employs a focused, high-powered laser beam to cut material into custom shapes and designs. . There is no simple answer on the thickness a laser system can cut. Laser Cutting Thickness Choosing Guide. BS EN 60825-1: 2014. The high-power fibre laser presents a possibility for the application of solid-state lasers in thick-section metal cutting, a field which has been dominated by high-power CO 2 lasers. Metal engraving of some materials does require more wattage, and, in some cases, special laser engraving coating solution is necessary to etch the metal surface. The cutting capabilities of the laser is directly proportional to the beam quality and beam waste of the laser. Laser cutting is a technology that uses a laser to slice materials. In arc welding, whether stick, MIG, TIG, or whatever, it’s about amps — current. Any less will be painfully slow. Its popularity has grown in recent years due to the degree of accuracy and complexity in cutting patterns, contours, designs, and shapes with precision. Most laser products are required by law to have a label listing the Class. While other factors may come up along the way, these basic considerations are a great place to start. It also features upgraded components and increased laser power, with top engraving speeds 3 times as fast as the Glowforge Basic and cutting speeds 1.2 times as fast. Laser products designed and promoted for the production of laser light shows, displays, advertising, etc. The lens is defined by its focal length, which is the distance from the lens to the focused spot. Laser classes Lasers are classified for safety purposes based on their potential for causing injury to humans’ eyes and skin. We’re accustomed to think of comparative power ratings in arc welding based on the amperage the machine is delivering through the arc. Typically, when upgrading to a new laser, the manufacturer will also recommend or require that you purchase a new dust collector. Buying your first laser cutter can be a daunting challenge, especially if you’re budget-minded. I cut quarter inch acrylic at 8 to 10mm/sec on 80 watts using a 65mm lens. Epilog Laser Laser Power: The laser power, or wattage, can increase or decrease the total processing time for a cutting application. 15mm/sec at 130W. (using equation: 1in 2 = 645mm 2) A 100 watt laser can achieve a power density of 1550 watts/mm 2 in a spot size that is 0.6452mm 2 A spot size that is 0.6452mm 2 has a diameter of of .28mm or 280 micron (using area = pi * (d/2) 2) 280 micron! Buying Your First Laser Cutter. “Higherioved edge quality in the thicker range of materials like mild steel, aluminum and stainless steel,” Diehl explained. High Power Metal Plate. Laser engraving most materials can be accomplished with lower wattage and at a much faster rate than the thermal separation process needed for laser cutting of the same material. In this way, one machine can meet a variety of cutting requirements and achieve the effect of multi-purpose. 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