Laser cutting

The laser cutting is part of the group of separating Production methods and is based on the separation of solid bodies by laser radiation. The method allows the user to cut complex contours from almost all conceivable materials.
The use of continuous or pulsed laser radiation for cutting or cutting workpieces has far-reaching advantages compared to other methods. In the metal processing industry, laser cutting is particularly popular due to the high precision, efficiency and productivity. The combination of laser technology with highly automated CNC technology also ensures a high cost-effectiveness even with small batch sizes.

Technical basics for laser cutting

Laser cutting is carried out on a laser beam cutting machine. This is equipped for automation with a modern CNC control. The most important components of the laser beam cutting machine are:

Variants of the method Laser cutting

The use of the laser cutting differs in particular with respect to the temperature reached at the surface of the material as well as the nature of the supplied process gas. Depending on these parameters, the cut material is removed from the cutting joint either as a liquid, as an oxidation product or as a steam. Depending on the aggregate state of the material, laser beam melting cutting, laser beam burning cutting and laser beam subliming cutting are distinguished between the three variants. These will be briefly explained below:

• Laser melting cutting
  The basis of the laser beam melting cutting is the use of an inert or very reactive process gas. The gas prevents oxidation of the material and additionally ensures that the focusing optics are protected. In the cutting joint, the material is continuously melted and blown out as a liquid. Typical applications for this variant are the production of oxide-free cuts in the machining of stainless steel or cutting of aluminum alloys.

• Laser cutting
  In order to cut iron-containing metals, the laser beam burning cutting is frequently used in which the material is not melted but is heated to the ignition temperature and then burned. Compared to the laser beam melting cutting, the method is distinguished by higher cutting speeds and an almost free cut edge.

• Laser beam sublimation cutting
  Sublimation cutting is used for cutting materials without a pronounced molten state. The basis of this variant is the evaporation of the material, wherein the material passes directly from the solid into the vaporous state. The method is suitable for cutting wood, leather and textiles as well as for fiber-reinforced plastics.

In addition to the variants listed here, a distinction is also made between the laser fine cutting for the finest contours and the 2D and 3D laser processing for the production of complex two- and three-dimensional geometries.

The advantages of laser cutting

Laser cutting is characterized by a whole range of advantages:

Find companies for laser cutting

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