What Are The Advantages of Laser Cutting?

Laser cutting technology has gradually emerged since the mid-20th century. With the continuous advancement of laser technology and the widespread application of industrial automation and digitalization, laser cutting has gradually become an important processing method in modern manufacturing. Its high precision, high efficiency and versatility make laser cutting widely used worldwide, especially in metal processing, automobile manufacturing, aerospace, electronic products, mechanical equipment and construction industries.

In traditional cutting technologies, although mechanical cutting, plasma cutting and water jet cutting methods have their own advantages, they are often difficult to meet the high standards of modern manufacturing in terms of complex processing, high precision requirements and multi-material applicability. The emergence of laser cutting technology effectively solves these problems, and provides strong support for the innovation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry with extremely high cutting accuracy and efficiency.

With the continuous progress and innovation of the manufacturing industry, laser cutting technology will play an increasingly important role in the future development, further promoting the process of intelligence, refinement and efficiency in various industries.

Laser cutting is a technology that uses a high-energy-density laser beam to cut or process materials. The basic principle is to focus the laser beam on the surface of the material to form a high temperature, thereby locally melting or vaporizing the material, thereby achieving cutting or engraving.

Introduction to the working principle of laser cutting

Laser generation: Laser cutting first requires a laser, usually a CO2 laser, a fiber laser or a solid-state laser. The laser excites the medium (such as gas, solid or optical fiber) through an electric current or other energy source inside the laser to generate laser.

Beam focusing: The laser is focused into a very small light spot through an optical system (such as a lens) with extremely high energy density. This focusing process concentrates the laser energy on the surface of the material.

Material heating: When the laser beam is irradiated on the surface of the material, the material quickly absorbs the laser energy, causing the surface temperature to rise sharply, and then melt or vaporize.

Cutting process: During the cutting process, gas (such as oxygen, nitrogen or air) is usually used to assist cutting. High-pressure gas blows to the cutting point to help remove the molten metal and prevent the insect's slag from re-solidifying in the incision.

Automatic control: Laser cutting machines are usually equipped with computer control systems that can accurately control the movement path, cutting speed and power of the laser to achieve cutting of complex patterns.

Compared with traditional cutting technologies (such as mechanical cutting, plasma cutting, flame cutting, etc.), laser cutting technology has the following significant advantages and differences:

1. Cutting accuracy:

Laser cutting: It has extremely high cutting precision, can achieve cutting as small as micron, and can handle complex patterns and details.

Traditional cutting technology: The cutting accuracy is relatively low, especially when dealing with complex shapes, and the effect is not as good as laser cutting.

2. Cutting speed:

Laser cutting: The cutting speed is fast and can continuously cut large areas. Depending on the thickness and type of material, the cutting speed can reach several meters to dozens of meters per minute.

Traditional cutting technology: slower cutting speed and lower efficiency, especially in the case of thicker materials.

3. Heat affected zone:

Laser cutting: The heat-affected zone is relatively small and only affects a very fine area around the cutting point, resulting in less deformation and stress in the material.

Traditional cutting technology: The heat-affected zone is large, which can easily lead to material deformation and stress concentration.

4. Environmental protection and safety:

Laser cutting: Due to its less mechanical contact and smaller heat-affected zone, there is relatively less waste material during the cutting process and the working conditions are more environmentally friendly.

Traditional cutting technologies: such as flame cutting and plasma cutting, may produce more exhaust gas and noise, and are less environmentally friendly.

Laser cutting technology has gradually become an indispensable part of modern manufacturing with its unique high precision, high efficiency and versatility. Although traditional cutting technology still has its application areas, laser cutting undoubtedly shows superior performance in precision processing and efficient production. With the advancement of science and technology, the application scope and effects of laser cutting technology are expected to continue to expand and improve. Click here to contact Suntop Laser today for a free laser cutting test.

Laser cutting technology is widely used in the field of metal processing due to its high precision, efficiency and versatility. Following are some of the major application areas of laser cutting metal processing:

1. Manufacturing

Automotive industry: for cutting body structure parts, components and decorative parts to meet the demand for lightweight and high strength.

Mechanical equipment manufacturing: in the production of castings, mechanical parts and equipment frames, laser cutting can achieve high precision cutting.

2. Sheet metal processing

Sheet metal parts production: Widely used in the manufacture of sheet metal parts, including chassis, shells, brackets, etc., capable of quickly cutting out complex shapes.

Customized production: small batch customization based on customer demand, flexible and efficient.

3. Packaging Industry

Packaging equipment: used to cut and process metal frames and parts of packaging machinery to meet the needs of different shapes and sizes.

4. Electrical and electronic industry

Electronic components: used to cut complex shapes of electrical equipment shells, connectors, heat sinks, etc. to ensure high precision and surface quality.

Circuit board processing: some special materials for circuit board cutting can also use laser technology.

5. Aerospace

Aerospace parts: in aircraft manufacturing, laser cutting can cut high-strength alloy materials to ensure cutting accuracy and surface finish.

Spacecraft components: for precision machining of spacecraft shells and structural parts.

6. Elevator and escalator industry

Elevator parts: laser cutting technology is widely used in the processing of structural parts, guide rails, door frames and other parts of elevators and escalators.

7. Furniture manufacturing

Metal furniture: It is used to cut parts of metal furniture (such as tables, chairs and storage cabinets, etc.) to enhance the aesthetics and personalization of the design.

8. Medical Equipment

Medical Device Manufacturing: Laser cutting is used to produce advanced medical devices and tools, such as surgical instruments, implants, etc., with high resource utilization and high hygiene requirements.

9. Art and decoration

Metal sculpture and artwork: Laser cutting can be used to produce intricate metal artwork, decorative objects, and metal decorative elements in high-end architecture.

Customized billboards: laser cutting enables fine text and pattern cutting, which is suitable for commercial advertising and signage production.

10. Construction

Architectural Decoration: Laser cutting is used in the manufacture of metal screens, balcony railings, door and window frames, etc. in building facades and interior decoration.

Laser cutting technology has become an important metal processing method in many industries due to its outstanding advantages. Click here to contact Suntop Laser today for more information.