Much of what makes laser cutting so popular is its versatility.Laser cutting machines can cut all kinds of materials, from paper, wood, cork, acrylic acid, foam to all kinds of metals.When using laser cutting, the characteristics of each material should be understood and more attention should be paid to the actual use.
Laser cutting can cut materials:
Different metals
Laser cutting machines can cut all types of metal from mild steel, stainless steel to nonferrous metals.Reflective metals such as aluminum are more difficult to cut, at this time, fiber laser is a better choice.Today, metal can be cut up to 100mm thick, depending on the power of the laser.
wood
All types of wood (including plywood and MDF) can be laser cut, but some oily wood poses a risk of ignition and should be used with special care.
Paper and cardboard
Paper is also suitable for laser cutting, and we have seen some elaborate and intricate wedding invitations, probably made by laser cutting.
Plastic products
Acrylic, PMMA and Lucite are all transparent plastics.Laser cutting ensures a nice finish on the edges, which looks like cream cut with a knife.
polyoxymethylene
Polyformaldehyde is a highly used plastic in the engineering field. It can be used in gears, guiding and sliding components, medical devices, food packaging, etc.The ability to perform complex cutting with lasers is conducive to the wider use of polyformaldehyde in many fields.
glass
Because of its fragile and reflective nature, laser cutting glass seems an impossible task.However, a laser cutter can cut glass.
What can't you cut?
It looks like a laser can cut almost anything, but it's not, and in the "can't cut" list, most of the material is a variety of plastics.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
PVC cutting emits acid and toxic fumes, which are harmful to the operator of the machine and to the laser cutter itself, so PVC cutting is left to the mechanical method.
Polycarbonate fiber
Polycarbonate less than 1 mm can be tried with a laser cutter, but can cause discoloration.
If the material is thick, there is no way to use laser cutting, not only inefficient, the material is severely discolored, but also may cause combustion.
ABS, high density polyethylene
Generally, the laser beam is hot enough to vaporize the material, but does not support materials such as ABS and high-density polyethylene.They tend to melt more than vaporize, leaving messy workbenches and poor quality cuts.
Polystyrene and polypropylene foams
Both catch fire easily.
The glass fiber
Fiberglass is a mixture of two materials -- glass and epoxy.Cutting glass alone is notoriously difficult, and adding a smoke-causing resin to the mix is a nightmare.
Fiberglass is a mixture of two materials -- glass and epoxy.Cutting glass alone is notoriously difficult, and adding a smoke-causing resin to the mix is a nightmare.
