What are laser cutting machines and how to choose them?

Machine tools using laser cutters represent a modern and convenient type of processing of various materials. Despite the fact that they are all arranged on the same principle of using a laser beam to cut parts, there are a number of structural differences that affect the work intensity and power range.

Depending on the power limits, laser machines are divided into several types according to the type of radiation that is initiated by various energetic factors such as optical, chemical or electrical. All of them are based on the ability of certain substances to emit photons with a certain wavelength. Left without being absorbed by their counterparts, free photons form a laser beam capable of cutting through many types of fairly solid objects made of metals, stone or bone.

Schematically, the principle of operation of a laser beam emitter can be defined as the interaction of 3 necessary factors:

• the presence of an active environment;
• turning on the power supply source;
• enhancement of the collision of photons in the formation of a directed beam using a resonator.

Laser installations can be classified not only by the strength of the radiation, but also by the type of active medium, which can be gaseous, solid-state or semiconductor. The power of the beam is sufficient to penetrate the mass of the workpiece to be processed. Depending on the type of material, it can evaporate, ignite, melt or change its integral structure in some other way.

As a result of exposure of objects to a laser beam, a mechanical change in their configuration occurs, but no waste remains in the form of dust, sawdust or shavings.

Of the currently used laser machines, CNC gas installations appeared much earlier and went a long way in practical tests. Their active medium is carbon dioxide, which begins to emit photons under the action of an electric current. They are considered the most versatile type of laser cutting device.

The technical feature of such machines is the wavelength of 10.6 microns, which is sufficient for cutting paper, leather, plastic and wood parts in industrial production.

To work with various metals, laser installations with a short wavelength of 1.06 microns are used. Due to this technical feature, they are not at all suitable for working with other types of materials, but they successfully cut, mark and weld metal parts. The working principle of fiber optic solid state machines is based on the use of fiberglass and diodes as a power source.

There are also neodymium devices, the action of which occurs due to the activation of semiconductor crystals. They are also distinguished by a high intensity of work, as they emit a short and powerful wave, the strength of which is sufficient to cut plastic, ceramic and metal products.

To apply accurate and high-quality engraving images to the surface of almost all materials, except for metals, a desktop laser device with low power is used. With the help of a machine of small overall dimensions, it is possible to perform volumetric or flat images on the surface of various products made of plastic, porcelain or leather.

This type of equipment, if necessary, can be purchased for a home workshop. The compact laser engraver is able not only to apply surface patterns, but also to cut through thin workpieces, only slightly inferior in productivity to large industrial installations designed for fabric or for leather.

For the rapid production of engraved products with high quality workmanship, you can purchase a mini-machine, also known as a "laser marker". The small working area of ​​the device, in combination with microcomputer software, is suitable for solving high-precision tasks. The mobility of the small-sized device becomes another plus for the convenient organization of the workflow.

The dimensions of laser machines are primarily determined by the parameters of the desktop. The most popular are medium-format devices, which can easily fit into small areas of premises while performing the maximum workload. They are designed to work on stone, plastic, ceramics and some types of metals. The average compactness of laser devices allows them to be placed on a small work table in workshops for the manufacture and decoration of souvenir products.

CNC laser engraving machines are designed for different types of processing and cleaning materials, so their overall dimensions are from 0.5 to 2 meters, and even more. The largest models of laser systems are designed for the industrial production of high-precision parts of various sizes.

The machines are protected by monolithic, powerful housings, which not only make the structure sufficiently stable, but also successfully cope with the vibration that occurs during the cutting process.

Equipment, the work of which is based on the use of a laser beam as a cutting tool, is now becoming a priority in many areas of industrial production. Based on the growing market demand, more and more companies are mastering the production of laser machines of various types. Products of many manufacturers from Germany, Taiwan, USA, China and Austria belong to the luxury line of machine tools for processing wood, metals and other materials.

Of the best models that can be used at home, in a small workshop, or in industrial workshops, the following can be mentioned.

• WATTSAN MICRO 0203 - an excellent device for arts and crafts and engraving on plywood or plexiglass. The English quality of the small-sized model, weighing 28 kg, will make it easy to cut the desired patterns given to the computer device.

• ZERDER FLEX 1060 - The German medium format model features high precision laser cutting and engraving.

• MCLAZER 4030 METAL - a Chinese device that allows you to perform universal types of work, not only with metal blanks, but also with other materials.

• FIBER FB1325 - a powerful fiber-optic generator with high-precision CNC control allows using this machine to perform cutting and engraving on especially thick types of metals and strong alloys. The Chinese-made unit is distinguished by a high degree of ergonomics and accuracy in performing technical tasks.

Russian-made laser machines and engraving equipment can be seen among the products of well-known companies located:

• in Yaroslavl - PTK Stanki Trade;
• in Krasnoyarsk - LLC "ChPU 24";
• in Novosibirsk - "MULTICUT".

Manufacturers of laser equipment designed for various types of processing of parts from any material are interested in providing customer service with component parts. The use of machines, both in the home workshop and in industrial workshops, requires high-quality maintenance and repair. To do this, on the market for spare parts for equipment, you can find laser tubes filled with carbon dioxide, spare resonator lenses, glasses from optical sets and hoods.

Compressors of various capacities are on sale as power sources, as well as air pumps for cooling laser tubes. Among the spare parts you can find lamellas for guiding different types of materials when cutting and cutting them. Honeycomb tables with a honeycomb surface structure are widely available on sale, which allow you to avoid slipping of workpieces and serve to remove burnt waste.

To justify the hopes for the benefits and payback of the purchased laser equipment, it is necessary to be guided by some informative data.

• It is necessary to proceed from the volume and dimensions of the work performed, since the desktop of the apparatus performing the same operations may be intended for a home, a small business or a large production workshop.
• The selection is based on the type of material of the workpieces that will be processed with the machine. So, the gas type of laser machines copes with many types of materials, with the exception of metals, and the power characteristic of the emitter affects the thickness of the cut workpieces.
• In order to increase the functionality of the equipment, it is necessary to choose devices with manual or automatic movement of the working table, as well as with 2 working heads for synchronous cutting, which doubles the productivity of the machine. Some types of equipment for laser processing of materials have additional options, which can be a decisive factor when choosing.

CNC laser machines have a very wide range of technical capabilities. With their help, it is possible to produce various parts, elements and finished products that do not require additional processing, since high-precision and accurate cutting quality is the basis of the method. Laser devices are successfully used in many types of industries, both large and individual.

Anyone can purchase a desktop device for making decorative inscriptions or drawings on fabrics, leather cases, stationery, plastic, ceramic and metal objects. With the help of an engraver, you can create original jewelry, decorative elements in the interior, prints, markings on rubber and plexiglass.

For craftsmen in the manufacture of furniture, the actual issue is the cutting of plywood products, as well as the implementation of carved inserts for facades of design projects made of wood. Plywood panels with patterns cut into them are used as decorative grilles that cover heating or lighting sources in interiors.

For the owners of a small laser machine installed in a home workshop, it may be interesting and profitable for this type of small business to make key rings in the form of stickers, magnets for refrigerators and other souvenirs.

Laser cutting machines of any power are a type of electrical equipment, which means that when connecting to the network, it is necessary to check the grounding. When working on gas equipment, check that the laser head water cooling system is switched on. When working with metal surfaces, the optical equipment is adjusted, which increases the accuracy of the machine.

For the durability and safety of the equipment, it is necessary to use it only for those materials that are indicated in the instruction manual. The stability of the program is ensured not only by the serviceability of the electronics, but also by the stabilized mains voltage. To extend the life of the machines, lubricate the mechanical components in time and carry out regular technical inspections.