Laser cutting technology has developed over the years, and in the process it has displaced some of the traditional forms of metal cutting such as waterjet, plasma, flame, and mechanical cutting. There are various types of laser cutting which are worth looking at for you to appreciate how diverse this technology is.
Gas Laser Cutting This type is also referred to as CO2 laser cutting, and it is undertaken using carbon dioxide mixed laser, which is electrically stimulated. The gas laser was invented way back in 1964, and the technology has grown to what it is today. This type is best suited to cutting non-metals even though it can cut metals too. Gas laser cutting uses nitrogen, which works exceptionally well with metals such as aluminium and steel. To prevent oxidation of the cut metal, ensure the nitrogen gas is pure.
Crystal Laser Cutting This type uses lasers made from neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium gamet and neodymium-doped yttrium orthovanadate crystals. The crystals give the laser a powerful cutting effect appropriate for both metals and non-metals. Just like gas laser cutting, crystal laser also dates back to 1964. The drawback with crystal laser is that the machine is expensive and has a shorter lifespan.
Fibre Laser Cutting This cutting type is made of a laser beam that is amplified by pump diodes and glass fibre, which makes it stronger and more stable. This type works well with non-metals and metals. Compared to gas and crystal laser cutting, fibre laser cutting has a longer lifespan. Also, the maintenance required is minimal and in case of any parts replacement, you can do so at a smaller cost. Fibre laser cutting is used in many industries due to its effectiveness.
Apart from the types of laser cutting discussed above, there are techniques used in the laser cutting processes. Some of these techniques include:
Laser Marking – This is usually undertaken with a fibre laser. The surface layer of the material to be marked is melted with the goal of leaving a mark behind.
Laser Engraving – This resembles laser marking, but the difference lies in the fact that laser graving aims at creating deep, engraved marks used in applications such as the creation of barcodes.
Laser Drilling – As the name suggests, laser drilling uses fibre laser to create dents or popped holes in the material.
With this wide range of laser cutting types and techniques, virtually every industry is covered from medical to automotive and aerospace.
Share31 August 2017
Hello, my name is Ken and I will be dedicating this blog to the subject of how to get the most out of a business opportunity. I am not a professional businessman, but I have been lucky enough to find myself in a situation where I had the chance to learn a lot about business. It all started when I was hanging out with my brother-in-law and drinking a few beers. I was saying how I would look to open a fishing supplies shop and he told me I would need to learn a thing or two about business before I began chasing my dream. I wasn't so sure, but I accepted an invitation to shadow him while he worked on his business. I learnt so much that I decided I should share it here.
