Laser cutting system

Background
Laser cutting has been used in industry
since the 1970's.
The first common application was for sign-
making, mainly cutting acrylic.
It is now a significant process in every
manufacturing economy.
 Introduction
Laser cutting is a technology that uses
a laser to cut precise patterns in most
all types of materials such as metal,
ceramic ,paper and so on.
 Introduction
There are two types of lasers used for
cutting:
the gaseous CO2 laser
the solid-state Nd:YAG laser.
 Applications
Wood
Paper
Leather
Glass
Ceramic
Metal
 Benefits
The flexibility and precision cutting of
simple or complex parts;
A non contact cut which means no
marks or contamination of the material;
A high quality cut with no extra finishing
required;
The ability to cut almost any material.
 Drawbacks
Material limitations (including crystalline
and reflective materials)
Producing a piercing hole that can
make the pattern design more difficult.
Reflected laser light can present a
safety hazard
The cost of laser cutting machine is
much higher than other cutting
processes
 Components of System
Control Unit (CNC program)
Power supply (120 or 240 v)
Work piece positioning table
may be fixed or move in up to 2 directions
May contain fastening devices
scrap removal system
Optics Unit (focusing unit)
mirrors, focusing lens,
Fasteners
Gas/debris removal system
 Optical Unit
Mirrors direct the beam from the source
down to the lens
the lens then focuses the beam into the
desired geometry
finally the assist gas is added to remove
the molten metal
 Capabilities
Materials
Steel, Titanium, Paper, Wood, Leather,
Wax, Plastic, Fabric
Easily cuts .5 inch stainless steel
Limitations
Reflective materials, highly conductive
Many applications
 Examples Use
Hobby shop
Small production runs
Used for prototyping and hobbies
Generally use a Moving Optics configuration
Connected to fume hood for ventilation
May be home made
 Production Machine
Medium to large production runs
Used for producing production components
Can be one of all 3 configurations
Connected to fume hood for ventilation
Contain production line facilitators

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80-ZIWDNfIE
 Processes and Practices
Laser Cutting Results
Majority of applications are in 2D
Extreme precision can be achieved
Capable of providing high tolerances and
providing high quality surface finishes
Results on the Material
May affect hardness
Possible change in grain size
Narrow heat-affected zone
 Laser Applications
Laser Welding
More accurate, reliable and fast than
traditional welding methods
Laser Marking
Similarly accurate, reliable and fast in
comparison to traditional marking methods
 Current Uses of Laser Cutting Systems
Primarily 2D Systems
Either melts, burns, or vaporizes away
material
Used to cut flat-sheet metal and
piping/structural materials
 3D Laser Cutting Applications
The future of laser cutting
 About 3D Laser Cutters
6-axis rotary head to allow beveled and
mitered cuts
Capable of cutting round, square, channel,
angle and other structural shapes
Up to cut thickness
Industries Served
Automotive, industrial, electrical,
constructions and aerospace
Economics of Laser Cutters
High Initial Costs, some machines
$300,000 +
Protective glass, gas nozzles, dust and
particle filters need replacement
High use of cutting gasses 500-2000 L of
O2 or N2 (.36 $/L)
 Efficient use of Laser Cutters is very
material and application dependent
Initial startup costs are high, but the
larger cost is the gas used to expel the
material out of the cut
Creates very precise cuts with little to
no finishing work required
 Safety Hazards
Contact with hot workpiece
Hand/eye contact with beam
Inhalation of fumes
Smoke, Fumes, dust particles have
environmental risks
 5 Words
Laser cutting - Laserski razrez
Crystal Line materiales - Kristalni materiali
Fasteners - Vijaki
Initial Costs - Zaetni stroki
Vaporize away material - uparjevanje materiala stran

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