Laser cutters are really handy tools when it comes to prototyping and manufacturing; they are used in machine shops on the industrial scale to cut large pieces of material, they are used by hardware companies to create cheap, quick prototypes, and they are tools used by makers and artists as a DIY fabrication tool to bring their digital designs into the physical world. In this guide I’ll explain what laser cutters are, what they can do, and how you can use them.
The laser cutting machine focuses the laser emitted from the laser into a high-power density laser beam through the optical path system. The laser beam irradiates the surface of the work piece, causing the work piece to reach the melting point or boiling point, and at the same time, the high-pressure gas coaxial with the beam blows away the molten or vaporized metal.
Its specific usage steps are as follows:
1. First and foremost, it is extremely important to use the right type of laser cutting machine to get the job done as several models are available in the market. Consider the power consumption, cutting speed and other proven features and specifications before deciding on a model.
2. Prepare the material to be cut, it can be wood, plastic, cardboard, foam, fabric, and thin sheets of metal.
3. Choose an image to be cut or engrave on to your work piece and upload the same to the software compatible with the machine. The image can be a photo, a computer drawing, or a computer text.
4. Match the dimensions of the image with that of the material to be cut.
5. Now, place the material to be cut on a perforated table inside the laser cabinet. Again, the step is crucial as the right placement determines the cut quality.
6. Adjust the equipment parameters accordingly based on the material and thickness of the metal sheet.
7. Select the appropriate lenses and nozzles and perform a pre-startup inspection to check their condition and cleanliness.
8. Adjust the cutting head to the appropriate focus position based on the cutting thickness and cutting requirements.
9. Select the appropriate cutting gas and check if its gas spraying state is good.
10. Adjust the cutting head and focus distance, prepare auxiliary gas, and start cutting.
11. Conduct process inspection on the sample and adjust the parameters in a timely manner if there are any problems until the cutting meets the process requirements.
Now, try to use the laser cutting machine to cut out your favorite products.
