Laser-cutting machines are not new in the industry, but some concepts are still unclear among the greater masses. It is not a shame not to know about everything. But you can always learn new things. If you want to know about different types of lasers in detail, this article is your ultimate solution. It focuses on different types of lasers for cutting in a simple language so everyone can understand them and learn new things. Scroll below and start learning!
What is Laser Cutting?
LASER is the short form of Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. As the name suggests, a laser cutting machine is specially designed to cut thick sheets of metal and non-metals using high refractive index laser beams.
There are several types of lasers, and each machine comes with unique laser cutting parts.
What are the Different Types of Lasers for Cutting?
Though the primary function of every laser cutting machine is to cut metal sheets equally, maintaining the utmost precision, several types of lasers are used to cut different materials. Let’s check out the types of lasers used for cutting materials.
CO2 Lasers
CO2 lasers are special types used to cut non-metallic sheets like paper, wood, leather, wallpaper, fabric, acrylic plastics, polymethyl methacrylate, and other derivatives. Some of their applications are used in the food processing industry. One can slice thin aluminum or non-ferrous metal sheets with CO2 lasers.
This cutting machine has special laser cutting parts, including a tube with mirrors fitted at both ends. The tube is filled with gases containing hydrogen, helium, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. CO2 lasers pass electricity through this gas mixture and produce light beams. A typical CO@2 laser machine requires 25 to 100 watts of power and possesses a wavelength of 10.6 micrometers.
Fiber Lasers
This type of laser is far more efficient than a typical CO2 laser. In short, fiber lasers are versatile and can be applied for cutting various materials, including glass, wood, plastic, metals, and alloys. However, one has to have great control over the powers of fiber lasers. A fiber laser can manage up to 100 times higher intensity than a CO2 laser.
A fiber laser comes with a seed laser feature and belongs to the group of solid-state lasers. This type of laser can amplify the beam using glass fibers. These glass fibers can derive energy from pump diodes.
A fiber laser requires a little maintenance and can last longer than the other two types of lasers. They can last up to 25000 laser hours.
Nd: YAG/Nd: YVO Lasers
These are ultra-level cutting lasers used to cut both metal and non-metals, including plastic. This type of laser is primarily used in medical and military fields. These are also used in dentistry and manufacturing industries. Sometimes, they are also used for processing ceramics. Hence, its spare parts manufacturers take extra loads to manufacture high-quality spare parts.
These are crystal lasers that provide extremely high cutting power to the machines. Both types of crystal lasers are extremely efficient. However, Nd: YVO4 is better in bandwidth, pump absorption, gain, and refractive index than Nd: YAG crystal lasers.
Conclusion
This was a detailed description of laser cutting and different types of lasers. Please research well before you buy a laser-cutting machine. If you plan to buy a new laser-cutting machine, please ensure that your machine is equipped with the best spare parts. Please do the same while buying spare parts as well. San Automotive stands high among the spare parts manufacturers in India. With more than 20 years of experience, they are now valuable suppliers to notable companies.