Fast and efficient, sheet metal laser cutting produces very precise cuts and high-quality finished edges at the touch of a button. It’s perhaps no surprise then that it’s become one of our most popular fabrication services. But exactly what is laser cutting and how does it work?
In this article, we look at the laser cutting process in more detail. From the technology behind it to the potential benefits and applications, read on for an overview of the key points you need to know.
Are you looking for laser cutting services in Wiltshire or the surrounding areas? Contact our team today to request a free quote or discuss how we can meet your laser cutting needs.
What’s on this page
- What is laser cutting?
- How does laser cutting work?
- Types of laser cutters
- What materials can a laser cutter cut?
- What are the benefits of laser cutting?
- Laser cutting uses and applications
- Laser cutting service at Knees Engineering
What is laser cutting?
Laser cutting is a manufacturing process that uses a laser beam to slice through or engrave shapes on a workpiece. The technology is commonplace in industrial fabrication, where it’s typically used to cut various types of sheet metal such as steel, stainless steel, aluminium and copper.
Laser cutters are renowned for their remarkable accuracy and precision. Controlled using CNC technology, they can produce high-quality cuts very quickly and with minimal human intervention. Put simply, if you’re looking for a quick turnaround without compromising on the quality of the cut, laser cutting could be the ideal solution.
How does laser cutting work?
The word ‘laser’ stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Essentially, it’s a device that stimulates atoms or molecules to emit light at particular wavelengths. The light is focused to such a degree that it produces a very narrow, concentrated beam of radiation.
In a laser cutting machine, a component known as a laser resonator produces light particles of the same wavelength.
Laser cutters can be used to cut a variety of intricate shapes
Traditionally these light waves, which are all travelling in the same direction, are reflected off one or more mirrors inside the laser cutter. In a fibre laser cutter, fibreoptic cables rather than mirrors are used to guide the laser beam. The laser then passes through a series of lenses which focus the beam before it’s directed through the bore of the nozzle and onto the workpiece.
Just as sunlight passing through a magnifying glass can start a fire, focusing a powerful light beam to a single pinpoint creates so much heat that it melts, burns or vaporises the material beneath it. A small amount of the material – known as the cutting kerf – is removed during this process. While the laser beam melts or vaporises the material, a jet of high-pressure gas (usually nitrogen or oxygen) blows away the molten metal.
The movement of the laser beam is controlled using CNC technology. As a result, laser cutters can create almost any shape or pattern, no matter how intricate, with the utmost accuracy and precision.
Types of laser cutters
At Knees Engineering we use a state-of-the art Amada Ensis fibre laser cutter
There are several different types of laser cutters available, although CO2 laser cutters and fibre laser cutters are the most common. The main difference between the two machines is how the laser beam is generated and directed towards the material.
Although both types of machines can produce great results, fibre laser cutters are more technologically advanced. They use fibreoptic cables (as opposed to mirrors) to intensify the laser, resulting in a more powerful beam. As well as offering even greater precision, fibre laser cutters are faster and more efficient than their CO2 counterparts.
At Knees Engineering, we use a cutting-edge Amada ENSIS-3015 AJ 6kW fibre laser cutter to provide our customers with the best possible service. Boasting unrivalled beam spot control and high-speed cutting rates, this machine allows us to create complex cut metal shapes with exceptional precision.
What materials can a laser cutter cut?
Laser cutters can slice through a wide range of materials including various types of metals as well as wood, acrylic, glass and some types of plastics. Their versatility is one of the main reasons why laser cutting is so popular.
In industrial fabrication shops, laser cutters are typically used to cut sheet metal such as mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium. The exact materials that can be cut will depend on the type of machine and its specifications. For more information, visit our guide ‘What materials are suitable for laser cutting?’.
Using our state-of-the-art Amada ENSIS-3015 AJ 6kW fibre laser cutter, our Wiltshire-based engineering team can process a variety of metals including:
- Mild steel (up to 25mm thick)
- Stainless steel (up to 25mm thick)
- Aluminium (up to 25mm thick)
- Copper (up 12mm thick)
- Brass (up to 15mm thick); and
- Titanium (up to 10mm thick).
We process sheet metal up to a maximum size of 3070mm x 1550mm and a maximum material mass of 920 kg. If you have any questions, please contact us. Our team will be happy to discuss your requirements.
What are the benefits of laser cutting?
Laser cutting has many benefits when compared with other techniques such as plasma cutting. These include:
- Accuracy – Fibre laser cutters are renowned for their exceptional precision and can slice complex and intricate shapes with ease. Their superior edge quality also minimises the need for secondary metal finishing such as deburring.
- Speed – With rapid feed rates and automatic nozzle changing, laser cutting is an extremely fast and efficient cutting method. This speed usually results in a quick turnaround and short lead times.
- Cost – The accuracy, speed and automation of laser cutting minimises the need for additional labour and secondary finishing, which can help to keep production costs down.
- Lower risk of damage – As there is no physical contact with the material during the laser cutting process, the risk of damage, marking and contamination is substantially reduced.
- Versatility – Laser cutting can be used on a wide range of materials including mild steel, aluminium, stainless, copper and plastic, in various thicknesses. In addition to cutting, lasers can also be used for hole making, marking, and engraving – and all without needing to replace or switch any tooling.
For more information on the benefits of sheet metal laser cutting, read our article ‘What are the advantages of laser cutting?’.
Laser cutting uses and applications
Thanks to its precision, versatility and speed, laser-cut metal has a broad range of applications. It’s now used in a wide range of industry sectors including:
- Agriculture
- Architecture
- Oil and gas
- Medical equipment
- Automotive manufacturing
- Seating systems
- Food manufacturing and catering
- Electronics
and many more!
While laser cutting is typically used in industrial settings, the technology is also being practised on a smaller scale by small businesses, schools and hobbyists.
You can read more about some of the industries we work with on our website.
Laser cutting service at Knees Engineering
We can provide a fast, reliable and cost-effective sheet metal laser cutting service to customers in Wiltshire and throughout the UK.
Our factory is equipped with the very latest Amada fibre laser cutting machine, which allows us to produce an array of sheet metal components and assemblies for a wide range of industries. We can cut a variety of materials to suit your specific requirements – and all delivered on time and within budget.
And it doesn’t stop there. We offer a complete end-to-end fabrication solution, from concept and design right through to fabrication and finishing.
Contact us today more information and to request a free quote.