Laser cutting is a non-contact cutting process that uses a high-power laser beam to cut various materials, including metals, plastics, ceramics and composite materials. The laser beam is generated by laser source and focuses beam on material through a series of mirrors and lenses. The laser beam melts, vaporizes or burns the material to form a narrow slit with high precision and accuracy. Laser cutting is a highly versatile process which can cut materials into various thicknesses and shapes, including straight lines, curves, angles and contours.
Laser cutting can cut a variety of materials, including metals like stainless steel, aluminum and copper, plastics like acrylic, polycarbonate and PVC, fabrics like cotton, silk and polyester, and wood like plywood, medium density fiberboard and hardwood.
Laser cutting has a wide range of applications:
- Automotive industry
Laser cutting is commonly used in cutting automotive metal and plastic parts such as body panels, exhaust systems and engine components.
- Aerospace industry
Laser cutting can produce complex and intricate aircraft parts made of metals and composites such as turbine blades, engine components and structural components.
- Medical industry
Laser cutting is used in the production of medical devices, such as surgical instruments, implants and prostheses. The technology is used to produce high quality medical equipments which are made of titanium, stainless steel and plastics such as stents, catheters and implants.
- Electronics industry
Laser cutting is also used in the electronics industry for cutting electronic components such as PCB, microchips, semiconductor wafers and sensors.
