Metal cutting in various modern industries has become a crucial process. Due to the high demand for precision and accuracy, many industries use metal cutting machines to carry out this process. Several technologies are used in metal cutting machines, one of which is laser technology. As the name suggests, metal laser cutting machines use laser technology to cut metal, and they are considered the most advanced technology available so far. In this article, we will discuss in detail the metal laser cutting machine.
A metal laser cutting machine is a tool for cutting metal with a very high level of precision. It utilizes a highly focused laser beam to heat, melt, and cut metal into the desired shape with great accuracy.
This laser technology allows the machine to cut various types of metal, including steel, copper, titanium, stainless steel, diamond steel, and aluminum. The machine is equipped with software to control and manage the patterns used for cutting.
With the combination of laser technology and software, which ensures highly precise cuts, this tool has become essential in various industrial sectors that require high-quality metal cutting.
There are several key functions of a metal laser cutting machine, including:
As mentioned earlier, one of the main functions of a metal laser cutting machine is to produce cuts with high accuracy and precision. Additionally, the cuts made by the laser machine are clean and smooth, which is possible due to the highly focused laser.
Using laser technology, this cutting machine can cut metals of varying thicknesses, from thin materials to thicker ones. For example, it can cut carbon steel up to 150 mm, stainless steel up to 150 mm, and aluminum up to 100 mm thick. Copper or brass can be cut up to 40 mm thick. The laser power of the machine can range from 3 kW to 100 kW, depending on the material's thickness.
In addition to basic cutting, this machine can also cut detailed patterns on metal surfaces. This ability can be used to create decorations, molds, or intricate designs.
Though they all use laser technology, metal laser cutting machines come in several types. Here are the main types:
This machine uses carbon dioxide gas as the laser medium. Metals like aluminum and copper are effectively and efficiently cut with CO2 laser machines, which can handle medium to thick metal cutting.
This machine uses optical fibers to generate the laser beam. It is highly effective for cutting metals like carbon steel and stainless steel. Fiber laser cutting is more energy-efficient and faster, and it can handle a wide range of metal thicknesses.
This type of machine uses a neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet crystal as the laser medium. It is suitable for cutting metal with high precision and low thickness.
The excimer laser machine uses gases like xenon difluoride to generate the laser beam. Although less commonly used, it is mainly employed for high-resolution cutting with minimal thermal damage, such as in microelectronics industries.
This machine uses laser pulses to cut metal. It delivers extremely precise cuts without significantly heating the material. This type of machine is ideal for cutting intricate and delicate metal designs.
This article has provided a comprehensive overview of metal laser cutting machines, from their definition to their benefits and different types. There are many laser cutting machines available on the market to choose from based on specific needs. PT Synergis Industrial Utama offers solutions to find the right laser cutting machine for your needs.