1. Introduction of Laser Cutting
laser cutting and laser engraving are becoming more popular these days, more people are doing experiments and business with laser engraving machines, applications and potential of laser cutters also booming.
We can do a lot of productive and profitable things with a single laser cutting machine, this tutorial explaining the essentials of laser cutting engraving business and product making ideas using a laser cutter, also included hot selling product making ideas using co2 laser cutters.
This tutorial touching all the essential areas required for starting a successful laser cutting business using an entry-level co2 laser cutter, we also tried to include other possibilities like fiber laser marking and metal laser cutting machines.
2.Basics of Laser Cutting
2.1 Laser Cutting Process
Laser Cutting is the process of cutting materials using a high power laser power source, generally, laser cutting is used for both industrial manufacturing and personal/small business applications.
Image Source: www.dkphotonics.com
Advantages of Laser Cutting:-
Laser cutting machines have lot of advantages compared to traditional cutting methods, it as follows
- High Efficiency
- High Speed
- High-Quality Cutting
- Non Contact Cutting
- Material Flexibility
We will explain applications of laser machines in details in the following chapters
2.2 Laser Engraving
Laser Engraving, as well as Laser Etching, is the process of changing surface of a material using a laser machine for giving an individual design or personal touch, we can use the same machine for cutting and engraving but for metals separate machines are available for cutting and engraving , we will explain different machines and materials in following chapters.
Applications of Laser Engraving
- Personalized keychain or locket
- Ballpoint pen engraved with a company logo
- Gift Items with photo
Image Source : Instructables.com
2.3 Laser Cutting Engraving Machine Working
Laser cutting machines are available in different mechanical and electrical configurations, here just showing a generic mechanical assembly of a laser cutting machine , It consist of
- Laser Power Source
- Reflecting Mirrors
- Focus lens
- X,Y,Z Actuation
Mechanical Diagram of a Laser Machine
Source :http://www.master-laser.cn
2.4 Electrical Diagram of Laser Cutting Machine
Electrical part of laser cutting is controlling the movements of x,y,z axes, laser power and other safety features by receiving commands from a computer. a software program from a computer is continuously sending commands to machine as G Codes, all the actuators and sensors are connected to the controller of the machine and all parameters controlled by reading instructions in G code which received from computer software through cable or Wifi.
Electrical Diagram of Laser Cutting Machine
Source : en.rd-acs.com