What is laser cutting?

The principle of laser cutting

Laser cutting is a non-contact method of cutting. It cut the material with using a high-pressured laser beam. By adjusting the speed and power according to different material and thickness, we can get a good cutting effect and avoid the material over burned.

The feature of laser cutting

The application of laser cutting

Laser cutting can be applied to many industries. In the advertising industry, laser cutting can be used for making sign, signage, and display stand. In the printing industry, it can be used for cutting cardboard, and being used at book or packaging. In the medical industry, it can be used at making medical equipment and medical instrument. In the architecture industry, it can be used for indoor and outside decoration and creating mold. In the apparel industry, it can cut cloth or leather. In the digital industry, it can cut the parts of the product. In the automotive industry, it can be used for parts or leather.

Different types of laser cutting

CO2 Laser

CO2 Laser is the most used in the industry. The frequency is 10,640nm, which is easy to be absorbed by organic material. Therefore, it is better with cutting non-metal, such as acrylic, wood, leather, cardboard, rubber, etc.

Fiber Laser

Fiber laser is for cutting metal. The frequency is 1,064nm, it is easy to be absorbed by metal, and it can cut iron, aluminum, brass, etc.

Comparison with other cutting method

Comparison with plasma cutting

Plasma is often used for cutting thick metal. The cutting face is less perpendicular than laser cutting, it will be tilted about 0.5 to 1.5 degree. Also, the cutting face will be rough, so it needs to be polished. During the cutting process, it will consume more material and produce scraps. Laser cutting has a small cutting aperture, accuracy has 0.05mm, and the cutting face is smooth and straight.

Comparison with waterjet cutting

Waterjet uses high pressured water to cut metal and non-metal. Waterjet cutting will cause burr, and the cutting face is not perpendicular. Waterjet is faster than laser cutting and better for mass production, but the cutting aperture has 0.8 to 1.2mm, which has larger tolerance and not suitable for precise processing.

Comparison with CNC cutting

CNC cutting uses knives, so the cutting aperture is larger than laser. When cutting corners, the corner will turn rounded due to the knife. It cannot cut sharp corners like laser cutting. Also, CNC cutting cannot cut small detail, because there is limit to the knife. Unlike laser cutting, CNC cutting will not have burn marks, but it will produce scraps. When cutting acrylic, the cutting face will turn white and matte, so need to be polished. The material that can be cut by CNC cutting and laser cutting are similar, but CNC cutting has a higher cost, therefore most of the time will use laser cutting as the primary cutting method.

Comparison with punching

Punching is for metal cutting. Punching needs to make a mold, then punch the material with mold. Therefore, it is better for mass production. It is faster than laser cutting, and often used for producing products that are simple and needs large quantity.

Feature of A1 Workshop

1. A1 Workshop provides professional laser cutting skills. Laser cutting can cut metal and non-metal materials. It is accurate, fast, and less tolerant. The cutting face is smooth and perpendicular, including cutting a 30mm thick acrylic board. It can be applied to many industries. Laser cutting can cut your design into a perfect product.

2. We have used laser cutting in Thailand for over 20 years. The product that we had made has acrylic cover, panel, sign, display stand, acrylic box, trophy, acrylic stand, etc.

3. A1 Workshop has Eisen pin gauge and Mitutoyo caliper.