Laser cutting has gone from science fiction
to reality in the past forty years. What was
once a concept saved for the pages of cheesy
paperback novels has now become a tool that can
be found in many shops. Laser cutting utilizes
the tremendous power of light to perform precise
cuts with minimal waste or burring.
Laser cutting is the perfect tool for CNC (computer
numerically controlled) machines. A CNC
machine with a laser cutting tool can cut brilliant designs
into wood, metal, or plastics. These designs
can be entered into a CAD program on a computer,
or can even be imported from picture files and
other patterns. This flexibility makes it possible
for you to produce almost any pattern or design
in the material of your choice.
Laser cutting engraving
The depth of cut produced by laser cutting depends
greatly on the power of the light being focused
through the laser lens. With a low powered laser
beam, laser cutting engraving can be performed
on wood, metal, plastics, or composite materials.
This can allow you to carve patterns into these
materials, patterns that would previously have
only been possible for skilled craftsmen.
Laser
metal cutting is also available for heavy duty
applications such as in manufacturing plants
and machine shops. Laser metal cutting offers
several advantages, including the fact that the
process leaves fewer burrs than stamping or drilling – this
means that very little refinishing is necessary
following the cut. The only major disadvantage
is that most laser cutting tools tend to leave
a larger entry diameter than exit diameter; this
can be overcome with polishing in highly precise
applications.
Using
a carving laser in wood
Using
a laser to carve wood is one of the most exciting
applications of laser cutting. Carving laser
wood is a way to minimize mistakes in your
wood carvings, because a laser is not subject
to the same pressure sensitivities as a chisel
or knife. A carving laser will also leave a clean
finish, without the shavings and "hitches" often
left by manual carving.
Laser
cutting has gone from being a mere theory to
being a usable tool in just half a century.
Although costs of laser tools are still high,
new innovations are almost sure to reduce the
costs of laser cutting.
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