They could be the next best thing in industrial and technology applications, and it’s not just for their advancements in 3D printers but for the many other potentials. Laser cutters offer state-of-the-art and precision fabrication for industrial applications so much that they could change the face of large and small-scale production in a few years.
If you work in the industrial sector, you will know that one of the weakest parts of the factor of production is labor. You can save time and money industrially with the use of efficient machines to perform challenging human procedures. And this is where laser technology takes the lead. It offers a seamless and precise cutting solution that can help with factory and production systems. Want to find out how you can benefit from this technology in industrial settings? You want to read on below.
Use of Laser Cutters in Manufacturing
One reason why laser cutters are making waves in the industrial circle is due to their ease of manufacturing. It could take a lot of time and energy to carve out factory pieces and machine parts. But you could half the time and energy used in manufacturing with the use of this technology.
And like every other aspect of industrial application, you want to familiarize yourself with the device. So to get started, let’s dissect the device to learn more about its application.
What are Laser Cutters?
There is nothing serious to it other than the engineering procedure involves the use of laser technology in cutting industrial materials to achieve perfect fabrication. The cutters aim to replace the traditional machining method that could make production more cumbersome. You can check here https://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Laser-Cutter for more on how to use the device.
There are many other techniques used industrially to get fine pieces crafted from different materials. And one of them is the plasma cutter that uses a hot fluid flowing at an accelerated speed to perfect the cutting. But there are many ways the use of laser technology outweighs that of plasma. For one, it uses less energy and produces a neater finish with the cut.
The method involves the cutting of shapes into thin sheet metals, which is naturally an engineering application. But you’d also find the device to be in high demand in non-engineering settings. This includes schools that use them for learning and research purposes.
You’d also find hobbyists who look to own one to try out their creative design skills. Whether you aim to use it for business, educational, or personal use, you want to know exactly what they can do. And this brings us to the benefits of laser cutters in manufacturing.
Manufacturing of Medical Device
If there is one industry where cutting technology takes center stage, it’s in medicine and pharmaceutics. There is a high level of precision required in manufacturing the devices used in helping patients get better.
Surgeons, in particular, rely on lasers to effect surgical procedures and minimize risks. The technology is also used in creating fine cut parts that are used to complete medical devices used in improving patient’s health.
But the overall benefit would be when it comes to perfecting surgical incisions. You can’t compare laser technology precision to any manual cutting method, which makes it one of the safest yet available.
Manufacturing Silicone
Another industry that relies heavily on laser cutters is silicone manufacturing companies. It can be challenging to work on silicone manually, but this is not the case if you employ the use of advanced technology. For a material that is tolerant to high temperature, you can expect that it wouldn’t be much work to cut it to shape to fit your design needs.
You will find the use of silicone materials to be in high demand in the manufacturing of computers, automobiles, architecture, textiles, and household products. But there are many other ways to make use of silicone once you have it appropriately sectioned.
Ceramic Production
Like silicone, ceramics are not your ordinary workable material, so you need to be critical with its machining. With the use of the technology, you can cut through ceramic pieces and make engravings on them without ruining the material.
The industrial application of ceramics includes electrification, where it is used as an insulator due to its low conductivity. The use of laser could very well save time in ceramic production and also ensure that you achieve smooth edges once the design is finished.
Automotive Parts Manufacturing
It would help if you got the correct replacement parts to use in your auto repairs. And this is where laser technology seems to be making waves in the automotive industry. It helps in the fabrication of auto parts, especially those that need to be a replica of the original. There is a high level of precision required to achieve the required proper fabrication to perfect auto parts. And this is why laser cutters are a standard device in auto manufacturing and service plants.
Jewelry Making
Jewels and luxury ornaments would also need to be cut to specification. This includes diamonds, rubies, and other precious stones that require custom designs and engravings. The working parts of most watches are minute and would need to be fabricated carefully. This can be done using laser technology, which can manufacture multiple pieces simultaneously and to the correct specification. It would also be helpful in engraving specific details on the surface of jewelry or for use in custom manufacturing.
Tools, Molds, and Die Industry
You will also need to follow a design specification when it comes to making working tools. And to achieve this, you want a precise cutting tool to make this work. Lasers offer precision cutting, which is why they are used in engraving company names and logos to hardware tools.
It is also used in replicating die and injection molds, where it saves time in manufacturing and ensures a realistic finish compared to the original.
How do Laser Cutters Work?
A high-powered laser beam is responsible for the precision cutting that is achieved with the technique. And to accomplish this, the device is equipped with laser optics which helps to direct the intensity of the beam. To control the entire procedure, you will need computer numerical control (CNC), which allows you to get creative with the design.
While the machine doesn’t require much to function, you will need a technical understanding of how the device works. This is what allows you to get the job done quickly without contaminating the production stage. You can make changes to the CNC settings enabling you to choose between cutting through material sheets or etching and engraving on the material surface.
A few software applications are also required to affect the control of the CNC, and computer-aided design (CAD) is most applicable in industrial settings. When it comes to production abilities, the size of the device is one thing to consider. For large-scale engineering production, you will need to install an option that can meet your manufacturing needs.
The type of cutting technique and material would determine the type of laser to use. And when it comes to precision cutting, engineers rely primarily on three laser cutters. The CO2 laser is commonly used to effect cutting, engraving, and boring processes without compromising the material. The other two involve the use of Neodymium, a liquid metal that can affect precise marking and boring procedures too.
In addition to cutting and boring, these techniques can be used in welding processes where a high-temperature intensity and liquefying metal material is required to achieve bonding. The gas flow technique is a specialized technique the technician applies to effect specific requirements with the design.
Fast liquefaction could help cut out thin pieces, while a slow melting procedure may be safe for boring large pieces. Some procedures may require the use of a LaserJet equipped with water. As soon as the laser cuts through the device, the water jet helps in clearing out debris and solidifying the area. You can click here to learn about some of the foremost laser cutting devices used in today’s industrial manufacturing.
Cutting Techniques
The material to be worked on would largely determine how to cut. And once you have this settled, you want to enter the design specifications using the CNC. A CAD representation would need first to design and, once done, prime the laser with the proper settings and start production.
Materials with low melting abilities such as wood, thermoset plastics, and carbon would need to be vaporized to make an indentation. Metals can make use of the melting and blowing techniques which first heats the metals to their melting and then makes use of a gas jet to blow away the distorted particles.
Final Note
There are many reasons why laser technology plays center stage in 3D design and other industrial manufacturing processes. You will have to get a machine that is capable of meeting the demands of your production. It is also essential that you learn how to get CAD ready for your creations and use the CNC machine to perfect your craft.
