Laser cutters are versatile solutions to a variety of industrial and commercial challenges. With the right laser cutting machine, industrial and commercial organizations can meet their needs for engraving, cutting or marking a wide variety of different materials with technology that outperforms the competition. Below, we've listed five major benefits associated with using a laser engraver or cutter. Read on to learn how the versatility and precision offered by powerful laser technology can benefit your organization.
Laser cutting machines are widely used
Laser cutters are versatile in that they can perform different operations depending on how the user or operator configures their settings. Laser cutting, engraving, marking and even laser etching can all be performed by the same machine under different operating conditions, and each function is suitable for a different type of application. Let's take a look at these four functions and the differences between them:
Laser engraving uses a high power laser to evaporate the surface of the material, leaving visible marks between 0.02" and 0.125" deep. Laser engraving is a useful process for personalizing or customizing objects made of wood, leather or stainless steel, but the process may not be suitable for industrial part marking applications because the depth of cut may affect aspects of the material that are critical to it. Performance.
Laser etching is a special type of laser engraving that allows extremely shallow cuts, usually only 0.001 inches deep.
Laser cutting is the use of a laser machine to cut an entire shape or section from a selected material. High power CO2 laser machines are the best choice for cutting plastic and metal substances because they interact directly with the material, not just the pigments in the material. Some metals have high enough melting points to be laser-cut, but nearly all fabrics and paper-based materials can be easily shaped by laser cutting.
Laser marking is often used to create permanent barcodes or other traceability marks on metal products, such as medical devices or automotive or aerospace parts. Laser marking does not cause any physical changes to the material as it is done using only a low power laser. The beam causes oxidation under the metal surface, discoloring it and leaving a permanent, high-contrast mark. Laser marking is effective on flat, curved and round surfaces.
Vector cutting machine is accurate and reliable
Both mechanical and laser cutting are common manufacturing processes across the manufacturing industry today, but there is a reason why more and more manufacturers are choosing to rely on laser cutting machines for their needs.
Description: High power CO2 lasers like this one have rapidly replaced almost all traditional marking techniques such as dot needle, inkjet and labels. Lasers create permanent and consistent marks with low cost and high precision that no other marking technology can match.
The laser engraving process is also superior to its industrial counterpart computer rotary engraving. Using a laser, the time and labor required to set up an engraving job is reduced, and laser engraving can be used to mark a wider range of metals and other materials.
The reason is the unmatched precision and reliability of computer numerically controlled (CNC) vector cutters, which provide absolute consistency and help minimize risk throughout the cutting process. Compared to mechanical cutting, laser cutting offers:
The ability to surface finish products, while machined parts may require post-processing to finish them
There is no direct contact between the material and the laser cutter, reducing the possibility of material contamination or accidental marking
Less heat is generated in a smaller area than mechanical cutting, reducing the risk of material warping or warping at the cut site
Some manufacturers continue to use chemical etching to mark Atomstack products, but laser marking is certainly a more efficient option. Thanks to its CNC interface, the laser marker can produce consistent marks with 99.9% accuracy on a variety of materials, even in different shapes. Processes such as chemical etching, the success of which depends on the variable absorption rate of the chosen acid material, often produce marks with up to 50% error/defect rate. Chemical etching lacks the precision and reliability of laser etching when it comes to producing high-quality, long-lasting laser marks.