Laser cutting: operation and specifications
Discover the key functionalities, advantages, and compatible materials for laser cutting technology.
Laser cutting, laser marking, laser engraving… The technologies and renderings of these three processes differ. What are the specifics of cutting? Find out all you need to know about how it works, the advantages, and the materials compatible with laser cutting machines.
Laser cutting: how it works, its benefits, and suitable materials
What is laser cutting?
Laser cutting is a high-precision process for cutting various materials by concentrating laser energy on a minimal area.
A beam is focused and amplified to raise the temperature of a precise material zone, causing it to melt or vaporize. This is what makes it possible to cut through the substrate.
This laser source generates the beam, stimulating photons in an enclosed space. There are various types of laser sources—CO2, DPSS, fiber, MOPA—each suited to different materials. The choice of laser source depends on the material being cut.
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What are the advantages of laser cutting?
The process offers several advantages, from design and execution to cost control.
First and foremost, it saves time, thanks to:
- a very high speed of execution - although this varies according to the type of material,
- low need for operator intervention during the cutting process, action is limited to positioning the part or material and operating the machine,
- limited post-cutting processing - no sanding, or mechanical sealing, is required after cutting.
Laser cutting is characterized by high precision and versatility - enabling the creation of complex shapes on a wide range of materials. This technique opens the door to a host of applications point-of-sale advertising, signage electronic components, and small metal parts… but also making trophies, toys, models, and jewelry.
Finally, the laser cutting machine is self-contained: it requires no additional equipment or consumables (stylus, tip, blade, or other chemical product).
What materials can be laser-cut?
Depending on the source used (CO2, DPSS, fiber, MOPA…), lasers can cut a wide range of materials:
- Organic - paper, rubber, textiles, wood, leather, cardboard or cork.
- Plastics - PMMA, PA, PBT, PC, polyester, PET (except ABS and PVC).
- Metallic - aluminum, anodized aluminum, brass, copper, gold, silver, nickel, steel… thin-gauge steel.
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Other materials exist, specifically developed for laser engraving or cutting techniques. Examples include those listed in the Gravotech catalog, such as Gravoply™ Laser, Gravoply™ Ultra, Gravoply™ 2, Gravotac™ Exterior, Flexilase™, or Laser Wood.
Choosing the right Gravotech's laser cutting machine
For batch cutting
The models mainly recommended for this type of use belong to the LS range, with a CO2 source. These technologies can cut different thicknesses of material.
Small CO2 laser engraver and cutter for personalization, signage and creative.
LS100
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Medium CO2 or Fiber laser engraving and cutting machine for signage and small series.
LS100 EX
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Large laser engraver and cutter that can do everything.
LS900
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Extra large laser engraving and cutting machine for high productivity.
LS1000XP
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For single-cutting projects or large parts
For this type of project, Gravotech laser stations are the best choice. These laser cutting machines can cut metals up to 1 mm and precious metals up to 0.8 mm.
Precision, compatibility with different materials, resource-saving, and time-saving… Laser cutting combines all the advantages needed to optimize production processes - especially since a laser cutting machine can also be used for laser engraving!