5 reasons to use precision laser cutting

Laser cutting is a non-contact type, based on a thermal manufacturing process that combines focused heat and thermal energy, and applies pressure to melt and spray materials in narrow paths or incisions. Compared with traditional cutting methods, laser cutting has many advantages. The highly focused energy provided by the laser and CNC control can accurately cut materials from various thicknesses and complex shapes. Laser cutting can achieve high-precision and small-tolerance manufacturing, reduce material waste, and process material diversity. The precision laser cutting process can be widely used in a variety of manufacturing applications, and it has become a valuable asset in the automotive industry, producing complex and thick parts with a variety of materials, from hydroformed 3D shapes to airbags. The precision electronics industry is used to finish machining metal or plastic parts, housings, and circuit boards. From processing workshops to small workshops to large industrial facilities, they provide manufacturers with numerous advantages. These are the five reasons why precision laser cutting is used. 

Excellent accuracy

The accuracy and edge quality of materials cut by laser are better than those cut by traditional methods. Laser cutting uses a highly focused beam, which acts as a heat-affected zone during the cutting process and will not cause large-scale thermal damage to adjacent surfaces. In addition, the high-pressure gas cutting process (usually CO2) is used to spray molten materials to remove the material cutting seams of narrower workpieces, processing is cleaner, and the edges of complex shapes and designs are smoother. The laser cutting machine has a computer numerical control (CNC) function, and the laser cutting process can be automatically controlled by a pre-designed machine program. The CNC-controlled laser cutting machine reduces the risk of operator error and produces more precise, more accurate, and tighter tolerance parts.

Improve workplace safety

Incidents involving employees and equipment in the workplace have a negative impact on the company’s productivity and operating costs. Material processing and handling operations, including cutting, are areas where accidents are frequent. Using lasers to cut for these applications reduces the risk of accidents. Because it is a non-contact process, this means that the machine does not physically touch the material. In addition, the beam generation does not require any operator intervention during the laser cutting process, so that the high-power beam is safely kept inside the sealed machine. Generally, except for inspection and maintenance operations, laser cutting does not require manual intervention. Compared with traditional cutting methods, this process minimizes direct contact with the surface of the workpiece, thereby reducing the possibility of employee accidents and injuries.

Greater material versatility

In addition to cutting complex geometries with higher precision, laser cutting also allows manufacturers to cut without mechanical changes, using more materials and a wider range of thicknesses. Using the same beam with different output levels, intensities and durations, laser cutting can cut a variety of metals, and similar adjustments to the machine can accurately cut materials of various thicknesses. The integrated CNC components can be automated to provide More intuitive operation.

Faster delivery time

The time it takes to set up and operate manufacturing equipment will increase the overall production cost of each workpiece, and the use of laser cutting methods can reduce the total delivery time and the total cost of production. For laser cutting, there is no need to change and set molds between materials or material thicknesses. Compared with traditional cutting methods, laser cutting setup time will be greatly reduced, it involves more machine programming than loading materials. In addition, the same cutting with a laser can be 30 times faster than traditional sawing.

Lower material cost

By using laser cutting methods, manufacturers can minimize material waste. Focusing the beam used in the laser cutting process will produce a narrower cut, thereby reducing the size of the heat-affected zone and reducing thermal damage and unusable materials quantity. When flexible materials are used, the deformation caused by mechanical machine tools also increases the number of unusable materials. The non-contact nature of laser cutting eliminates this problem. The laser cutting process can cut with higher precision, tighter tolerances, and reduce material damage in the heat-affected zone. Allows the part design to be placed more closely on the material, and the tighter design reduces material waste and reduces material costs over time.

 in conclusion

The semiconductor industry uses laser cutting in the electronics industry, adding cutable silicon, gems and complex parts for the production of composite materials. Laser cutting has a wide range of uses in the medical industry, including medical production equipment and equipment, cutting precision tubes, and Surgical applications that require sterility and precise cutting. The resulting smaller heat-affected zone reduces the amount of material wasted, thereby reducing overall costs, and the non-contact nature reduces the risk of injuries and accidents in the workplace. The programming and conversion time of the laser cutting process is faster, enabling greater production versatility while minimizing delivery time.