3 Types of Laser-Cutting Services in Gauteng

Posted by Armstrong Louis on August 13th, 2018

A laser-cutting process includes prototyping and manufacturing tools that are primarily used by the engineers, artists and designers to cut and etch into flat material. In this process, a thin focused laser beam is used to pierce and cut through the materials, to cut out several patterns and geometries specified by designers. Apart from cutting, laser cutters can also etch designs on specific work pieces by heating up the surface of the work piece. For this reason, burning off the top layer of the material to change its appearance where the raster operation was performed. There are many reputed companies which offer laser-cutting services in Gauteng. (Information Credit – https://www.plasmacut.co.za/services)

The Laser-Cutting Process

A laser cutter is a type of Computer Numerical Controlled or CNC machine.  It is controlled by a computer operating system. A designer can apply designs by using designer software, and then it is sent to a laser cutter to have it cut out automatically. The laser-cutting machine uses a laser beam to cut into the material on the cutting bed. They are extensively used as they are able to make so many different styles of design; this technique can be used on any material like cardboard prototypes and on different types of artwork. Common laser-cutting techniques are used to cut materials like wood, plastics, paper and cardboard. More powerful laser-cutting technology is used to cut through tough metals and much thicker materials.

3 Types of Laser Cutters

There are generally three main types of lasers techniques used in the laser-cutting process, CO2 lasers, fibre lasers, and neodymium lasers. The details are illustrated below:

1. Neodymium Lasers

This type of laser technique is created from neodymium doped crystals. Neodymium lasers have a smaller wavelength than the CO2 lasers. They have a much higher intensity, and can cut through thicker and stronger materials. These types of laser techniques are effectively used on plastics and on ceramic components.

2. CO2 Lasers

Co2 laser is generated from electrically stimulated gas mixtures (comprising of carbon dioxide). They are the most common types of laser cutters as they are low in power, efficient, relatively inexpensive, and they can cut through a wide variety of materials. Wood, paper-based products like cardboards, leather, acrylic, glass, some plastics etc. are the materials where the CO2 laser process are used.

3. Fibre Lasers

These lasers are manufactured from the “seed laser", and then they are amplified through special glass fibres. These type of lasers have an intensity and wavelength which is quite similar to that of the neodymium lasers. This type of laser requires less maintenance and is mostly used for laser-marking processes. They are generally used on materials like metals and plastics.

Apart from laser cutters, 2D CNC machines are used for cutting with a head mounted on a gantry or arm to cut through various materials. Water jets are highly powerful and have a huge bed size, so they are great for cutting out huge, thick pieces of metal and wood. Plasma cutters are also used for high power 2D cutting machines. They use a plasma beam to cut the metals by melting it away.