When you first start using laser cutting, you might feel a little overwhelmed. What choices do you have? What sort of substance ought to be used? Which materials is this CNC laser cutting machine setting most suitable for?
The essential elements of utilising and buying the best CNC laser-cutting machine will be covered in detail in this comprehensive guide.
Therefore, keep reading to learn a great deal about this amazing tool.
What is a laser cutter?
The main process of laser cutting is heat treatment. A focused laser beam aids in the material’s melting during this process. Molten material is expelled and slits are made using coaxial gas jets.
For continuous cutting, the workpiece or laser beam is moved under CNC control. Although being utilized most commonly in industrial manufacturing, schools, small businesses, and amateurs also use it.
How Does a Laser Cutter Work?
“Laser” has a simple meaning: narrow and coherent light, while being an abbreviation for a very serious and intense term.
The laser must therefore produce powerful, focused light, which may burn and cut objects like a hot, sharp knife if it is concentrated enough in one place.
The first step is creating light. But not every light is suited for a laser beam; we need light beams that work together. Our light is monochromatic, which means that every light beam has the same wavelength.
For example, the laser beam might only produce blue light rather than the wide range of white light from your lamp.
This kind of light for laser beams can be produced in a number of ways. While diode lasers use electricity to excite semiconductors and fiber lasers utilise light to excite fiber optics, CO₂ lasers generate light by energizing a mixture of gases.
Also Read: Laser Cutting: How Fiber Laser Cutting Machine Changed the Shop
Any of these methods will give laser beams enough brightness. After that, the light is guided to the lenses from the source. The light will become more focused and coherent due to the lenses.
It’s as simple as that! Very coherent light is now coming from your laser beam.
Only low energy is used by the laser for engraving the material. This involves heating the surface of the material until some of it evaporates and leaves marks. The laser can cut the material, given that it is so hot and strongly sharp.
What Materials Does a CNC Laser Cutting Machine Cut?
Laser engraving and cutting machines are useful for home companies, home shops, small businesses, industrial manufacturing, and school education.
Metals like carbon steel, stainless steel, copper, alloys, aluminium, silver, gold, and iron are commonly engraved and cut using fiber laser engraving machines.
Similarly, CO₂ laser engraving and cutting machines are frequently used to engrave and cut non-metallic materials such as wood, fabric, acrylic, leather, foam, plastic, stone, paper, MDF, and PVC.
Also Read: Fiber Laser Cutting Machine – The Future of Precision Cutting by Pusaan Automation
When selecting a CNC laser cutting machine, keep the following in consideration:
When selecting a CNC laser-cutting machine for your business, keep the following important considerations in mind:
The Power – What Do You Want to Cut or Engrave?
Faster setting up and cutting are made possible by higher-power lasers, which usually only need one pass or less. Consequently, a strong laser cuts faster and saves time.
On the other hand, don’t base your laser engraving purchase on the raw laser machine power numbers. More intricacy exists, and some businesses keep their lasers’ actual strength a secret.
Conversely, a 10W laser can cut through etch-covered metals and fairly thick wood. A 40W CO₂ laser can do the same thing, but it’s much better (it can engrave a lot more materials). Metals can only be cut by industrial tools and powerful fiber laser cutters.
Speed – How Fast Should the Cutter Cut?
Especially if you offer laser-cut or engraved goods and want to finish all projects as quickly as possible, engraving rates are essential. However, speed is not the same as laser power; speed is just the fastest your laser can go along each axis; it does not ensure that it will cut through the material completely.
It’s important to keep in mind that different laser engravers have different optimal speeds, and you can test your laser engraving equipment with test cuts.
If you wish to engrave and don’t want too dark a contrast, cut thicker materials faster (more passes might be needed), but slower otherwise.
Size – Does It Fit Your Working Area?
You don’t want to be limited to little tasks, therefore a large-format CNC laser cutting machine & engraver might be the best choice. The best laser engravers can engrave larger images and other designs.
Expert laser engravers have expansive work areas, however bear in mind that an enclosure somewhat reduces the laser’s operating space.
Laser engraving machines under $1000 can offer decent sizes for the price range and usually have open-air systems (instead of enclosures). For example, the working areas of the most costly lasers are frequently larger than 400 × 400 mm, while the cheapest lasers may only have 150 × 150 mm. For large engravings and the majority of hobby projects, this will be sufficient.
Performance Quality – Does It Meet Your Quality Expectations?
High-quality engraving requires precise engraving. Combining components like focal point, cut depth, and stepper motors results in precision engraving.
But it’s important to keep in mind that even inexpensive laser engravers have incredible precision. Actually, if you don’t adjust the laser beam’s focal length and parameters, no laser cutter may function well. The final quality of your object is also influenced by a number of factors, including speed, % power (in relation to the cut materials), whether you have air help, and many more.
Price – Does It Fit Your Budget?
These days, professional laser engraving equipment may be acquired for less than $300. But just because they’re often composed of inferior materials and aren’t as accurate and reliable as you’d want doesn’t mean you should.
It is important to keep remembering that there is a difference between a laser engraver that is a perfect fit for your budget and an outstanding low-cost laser engraving machine. Additionally, if you want to save money but don’t require all the extra power, there’s nothing wrong with employing less expensive laser engraving equipment.
However, consider your current and future needs before choosing a CNC laser cutting machine.
Gas Assistance – Which One is Ideal For You?
The most common support gases are shop air, oxygen, and nitrogen. Moreover, some laser-cutting experts use argon and oxygen-nitrogen combinations.
The help gas’s main goal is to remove the material that the laser has melted so that it doesn’t start to solidify as the laser moves forward.
In addition, oxygen produces an exothermic reaction that raises the cutting process’s temperature, whereas nitrogen and argon can prevent oxidation.
Also Read: Fiber laser vs. CO2 Laser Cutting Machines
Software Compatibility—Does It Work For You?
Another thing to keep in mind is that although you have some control over the design program, you do not have total control over the laser software. The laser determines this.
While some laser manufacturers integrate with pre-existing third-party software, others offer their own laser control software. Most of your contacts with the laser program are handled by it. You can load images and maybe vector drawings (and g codes, depending on your laser) using the laser software.
Then, before clicking the start button, adjust the laser power and speed settings in the software. Your laser software will have a preset for “cylinder engraving” if your laser can rotate. It has the ability to control the rotation and laser engraving of circular objects.
Conclusion:
You can choose the best CNC laser cutting machine for your short-term and long-term needs by being aware of your usage requirements.
This complete tutorial will help you choose the best CNC laser cutting machine for your projects by giving you a better understanding of how these machines work and what kinds of materials they can cut.