Laser Cutting
Laser cutting is really a technique used to cut a variety of materials for industrial and manufacturing purposes. It does apply to both flat and cylindrical components, including stainless sheets and nitinol tubing. The benefits of laser cutting is it is highly accurate and creates a cleaner cut than traditional mechanical methods.
Contrary to mechanical cutting, no parts that can wear down come in contact with the fabric being sliced in laser cutting. This eliminates warped edges and is cost effective since new cutting parts don't have to be purchased again and again. One approach to laser cutting functions by melting away material with a high powered laser beam. As the fabric is melted away, a powerful stream of gas is blown through the insertion, sweeping away the melted material, and abandoning a relatively smooth cut surface. The laserlight can create a material incision of less than .001 inches. This allows for incredibly precise cuts in flat or tubular material.
Some materials, such as wood, do not melt and can be cut using vaporization. In this method, the laser beam concentrates on the surface of the material, bringing it to its boiling point. As the fabric boils, vapor is released, further eroding the material until the desired cut is produced.
Lasers can cut material on up to four axes; however two axis systems are most common. The one drawback to a 2 axis system is that it produces tapered edges at some angles in cylindrical components. Adding an additional third and fourth axis eliminates the tapered edge effect. While the four axis laser cutting system can produce more complicated results, it is more costly than the traditional two axis method, so it's not used unless a specifically called for.
Laser cutting is economical, especially for large volumes of custom parts or designs. Since the laserlight is controlled with a computer program, once the component design continues to be programmed, it can be easily replicated. This is great for creating a large quantity of industrial or medical equipment parts.
The versatility in laser cutting is ideal for producing custom parts. The accuracy that may be achieved with the tiny laser point is ideal for projects that require the most precision. Laser cutting is really a quick process that can produce a large quantity of components for a specific use at relatively low cost. After medical and industrial instruments are laser cut to specification, they can then go on towards the laser marking process for serialization, banded calibration, logo branding, or any other types of marking.
John Franchi is a Partner at Northeast Laser & Electroploish, situated in Monroe, Connecticut. The company provides contract laser welding services, laser marking services, laser engraving services, and laser cutting services to companies throughout The united states. For more information, or to contact John, go to: http://www.northeastlaser.com
Contrary to mechanical cutting, no parts that can wear down come in contact with the fabric being sliced in laser cutting. This eliminates warped edges and is cost effective since new cutting parts don't have to be purchased again and again. One approach to laser cutting functions by melting away material with a high powered laser beam. As the fabric is melted away, a powerful stream of gas is blown through the insertion, sweeping away the melted material, and abandoning a relatively smooth cut surface. The laserlight can create a material incision of less than .001 inches. This allows for incredibly precise cuts in flat or tubular material.
Some materials, such as wood, do not melt and can be cut using vaporization. In this method, the laser beam concentrates on the surface of the material, bringing it to its boiling point. As the fabric boils, vapor is released, further eroding the material until the desired cut is produced.
Lasers can cut material on up to four axes; however two axis systems are most common. The one drawback to a 2 axis system is that it produces tapered edges at some angles in cylindrical components. Adding an additional third and fourth axis eliminates the tapered edge effect. While the four axis laser cutting system can produce more complicated results, it is more costly than the traditional two axis method, so it's not used unless a specifically called for.
Laser cutting is economical, especially for large volumes of custom parts or designs. Since the laserlight is controlled with a computer program, once the component design continues to be programmed, it can be easily replicated. This is great for creating a large quantity of industrial or medical equipment parts.
The versatility in laser cutting is ideal for producing custom parts. The accuracy that may be achieved with the tiny laser point is ideal for projects that require the most precision. Laser cutting is really a quick process that can produce a large quantity of components for a specific use at relatively low cost. After medical and industrial instruments are laser cut to specification, they can then go on towards the laser marking process for serialization, banded calibration, logo branding, or any other types of marking.
John Franchi is a Partner at Northeast Laser & Electroploish, situated in Monroe, Connecticut. The company provides contract laser welding services, laser marking services, laser engraving services, and laser cutting services to companies throughout The united states. For more information, or to contact John, go to: http://www.northeastlaser.com
