CNC Laser Cutting

1.What is CNC Laser Cutting?

Laser Cutting is the process of using a Laser beam to vaporize, melt, or otherwise gradually remove material. Youlin® CNC Laser Cutting commonly uses optics, an assist gas, and a guidance system to direct and focus the Laser beam into the workpiece. The many benefits of CNC Laser Cutting include:

●Speed.
●Less waste.
●Broad Range of Materials

Although Laser Cutting has been used industrially since the early 1970s, Youlin® CNC Laser Cutting has recently become the production tool of choice in makerspaces, in schools, and with hobbyists.

Laser beams are generated by electrically exciting a lasing material. This beam is internally reflected and amplified inside its container with a partial mirror. Once it has generated enough energy to escape the container, it may be focused towards the workpiece. Three main types of Lasers are used for CNC Laser Cutting:

1.Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
2.Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG, or YAG)
3.Fiber

CO₂ and YAG Lasers are similar in construction but are used differently. C0₂ Lasers with lower power levels are used for engraving, while ones with higher power levels are used in industrial applications for welding and cutting because of their reasonably low price. YAG Lasers, with their higher peak output, yield exceptional results for metal marking and etching. Fiber Lasers, with their solid-state construction and high-power output, reduce consumable costs and effectively cut a wide variety of materials.

3.Why Choose CNC Laser Cutting?

CNC Laser Cutting features:
●Faster processing and production times.
●Minimal warping.
●Greater accuracy when compared to Flame or Plasma Cutting.
●More parts per sheet of material due to the Laser beam’s small cutting diameter (kerf).
●Great for thing materials, but thicker and denser materials may be cut by replacing the collimating lens in order to change the Laser’s focal point.

CNC Laser Cutting has many advantages over Flame, Plasma, and Waterjet Cutting methods. As the Laser’s heat application is tightly focused, it requires less power and the material’s heat-affected zone (HAZ) is reduced. Many high-end industrial Laser Cutting machines are accurate to 10 micrometers and have a repeatability of 5 micrometers. CNC Lasers can affordably cut and etch a wide variety of materials, even the non-metallic materials that typically cannot be cut by Flame or Plasma processes.

4.Limitations of CNC Laser Cutting

While CNC laser cutting demonstrates advantages over other forms of cutting, there are also limitations to the process, including:

✖The range of suitable materials
✖Inconsistent production rate
✖Metal hardening
✖Higher energy and power consumption
✖Higher equipment costs

As indicated in previous sections, laser cutting is suitable for a wide range of metals and non-metals. However, the material being cut and its properties often limits the suitability of some cutting mechanisms, assist gases, and laser types. Additionally, the material thickness plays a significant factor in the determination of the optimal laser power, assist gas pressure, and focal position for a laser cutting application. Varying materials or varying thicknesses within a single material also necessitate adjustments to the cut speed and depth throughout the cutting process. These adjustments create inconsistencies in production time, as well as increase the turnaround time, especially in large production runs.

5. FAQ

Q: What's the difference between CNC cutting and laser cutting?
A: The difference is how the cutting occurs. Instead of a cutting tool, a laser relies on heat to create the desired shape of the product. While traditional CNC cutting carves out the design, laser cutting relies on a high-energy light beam that burns through the metal material.

Q: Which is better laser or CNC?
A: Laser cutting gives you very clean vertical lines but also with discoloration, and limited to thin materials, while CNC cutting allows you to work through thick materials and to cut to very specific depths to form truly three dimensional objects.

Q: What material can CNC laser cutting?
A: CNC laser cutting is a sheet metal manufacturing process carried out by CNC laser cutters. The laser cutter can cut a variety of materials including mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, zinc steel, pre-galvanized steel, copper, brass and more.