Applications of Laser Cutting Machines in the Engineering Industry

Laser-cutting machines are used for making complex shapes in engineering industries. A high-powered laser beam cuts through metal, plastic, glass, and other materials without the need for any mechanical process.

The machine is capable of cutting intricate patterns into tough materials like steel and titanium alloys using high-power lasers.

Continue reading to learn the applications of Laser-cutting machines in engineering industries like aerospace, automotive, architecture, and construction.

What Are the Common Types of Laser-Cutting Machines?

A laser-cutting machine is an important tool for the engineering and manufacturing industry. There are different types of laser-cutting machines used in this industry. They include:

1. CO2 Laser Cutting Machines

CO2 laser cutting machines are the most common type of precision laser cutting machine used in the engineering industry.

These machines are used for making straight cuts, curves, and holes in metals, plastics, glass, and other materials.

The CO2 laser cutting machines use CO2 gas that produces a beam of light focused on the material to be cut. The high-powered laser beam causes materials to heat up and melt or burn away.

Advantages

• High-cutting speed and accuracy laser cutter
• Capable of cutting various types of materials such as metals, plastics, rubber, etc.
• Able to produce both straight cuts and curves with equal ease.
• Low maintenance costs

Disadvantages

• The machine cannot be used for delicate materials that require a lot of precision because there is a chance that the material will get damaged during the cutting process.

2. Fiber Laser Cutting Machines

Fiber laser-cutting machines use optical fibers instead of gas tubes to create their beams. This allows them to cut through thicker materials than CO2 lasers can handle because they don’t require as much power or cooling.

If you want to know the difference between CO2 and fiber lasers, you may wish to read this article.

Advantages

• They are a powerful and efficient type of laser-cutting machine.
• They have a high speed and high laser power output, which makes them suitable for cutting a wide range of materials.
• Fiber lasers also have high precision and can be used on a variety of materials.

Disadvantages

• They’re more expensive than CO2 ones because they require special equipment for cooling. It also requires other maintenance procedures like replacing worn parts or cleaning filters regularly.

What Materials Can Be Cut with Laser Cutting Machines?

Laser cutters are used in the engineering and manufacturing industry to cut several types of materials. These machines have very high accuracy and can be programmed to cut any material.

The materials it can cut through include the following:

1. Aluminum

Aluminum is one of the most common materials that are laser-cut. Laser-cutting machines can be used to cut aluminum sheets and tubes. Aluminum is a very strong and lightweight material that is used in many applications.

2. Brass

Brass is an alloy made up of copper and zinc. It is a soft metal, which means it can be easily cut with a laser cutting machine. Brass has many industrial uses, such as in electronics, construction, and plumbing.

3. Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is another metal that is commonly cut with industrial laser cutting machines for various industrial purposes.

Such as making cookware or utensils at home or for commercial use by restaurants.  Caterers who need to prepare food quickly without worrying about rusting due to water contact over time can also use them (which could happen if they had been using regular steel instead).

4. Carbon Steel

A laser cutting machine can also help in cutting carbon steel material. It’s so because it tends to have less strength than other types of metals like aluminum or stainless steel. However, carbon steel does not require much maintenance over time because it does not rust.

Applications of Laser Cutting in the Engineering Industry

In the engineering industry, laser cutting is used to cut many product parts. The following are some of its applications:

• Automotive industry: It cuts car parts, exhaust systems, and other parts that require precision.
• Aerospace industry: It is used to cut aircraft parts, control panels, laser engraving, and other precision-based products that must be cut efficiently.
• Electronics industry: It cuts circuit boards, wires, and other electronic components requiring precision cuts.
• Medical industry: It is used for precision cutting surgical instruments and implants. The quality of the cuts will determine how effective the medical device will be as well as how long it lasts before replacement becomes necessary.
• Architecture and construction industry: It is used in sheet metal cutting for panels or glass windows with precision so they fit properly together without any gaps between them.

Advantages of Using Laser Cutting Machines in the Engineering Industry

If you’re looking for tube laser cutting machines, then you’re aware these machines have a lot of advantages over traditional processing methods.

But just in case you need a reminder, here are some of the most important ones:

1. Precision and Accuracy

Laser-cutting machines can produce precision cuts that can be as small as a fraction of a millimeter. The lasers used in these machines cut through materials with precision and accuracy, which means that the cuts you get will be clean and precise.

This makes laser-cutting machines ideal for producing parts or products with extremely high precision. This is especially important when it comes to metal materials. The precision cuts ensure that your product will be ready for use immediately without being polished or smoothed out.

2. High-speed Cutting

Another advantage of using a laser cutting machine is its high-speed cutting ability. Laser-cutting machines are also capable of producing high-speed cuts.

These machines can cut through any material within seconds without any errors or mistakes. This makes them highly cost-effective when compared to other technologies that use similar equipment, such as a plasma or water jet cutting technologies.

You don’t have to worry about wasting your time or money because these machines are very fast in their work, which helps you save both time and money at the same time!

3. Cost-effectiveness

Laser-cutting machines are much more cost-effective than other types of machinery used for similar purposes, such as plasma cutting or water jet-cutting technologies. This is because they require less material to perform their functions.

They also have fewer moving parts than other types of machinery used for similar purposes, which makes them cheaper to maintain and operate over time.

You can learn all about the cost of laser cutting in this article.

4. Less Material Wastage

Another benefit of using laser cutting machines is that they help reduce excess wastage of material during manufacturing.

Because these machines use very little material during the process, you end up saving a lot of money on raw materials. This can be used elsewhere in your business or invested back into it.

5. Multi-functional Cutting

Another benefit of using these machines is that they help you save money on space. It’s so because they have multiple functions like engraving, cutting, and drilling.

This means that you don’t need to purchase separate tools for each function separately, saving a lot of money in the long run!

Challenges and Limitations of Laser Cutting Technology

Despite the varied benefits of laser cutting technology, it also has some shortcomings. Here are the challenges and limitations you may encounter:

1. Heat-affected Zones and Distortion

Laser-cutting machines use high-powered lasers to cut through materials quickly and precisely. However, the process can result in heat-affected zones that are not as strong as the rest of the material. This can cause distortion in your finished product.

2. Limited Thickness of Certain Materials

Laser-cutting machines can cut through a variety of materials, but some materials have limited thicknesses that these machines can’t process.

For example, if you’re looking to make a piece of jewelry out of titanium or aluminum, there might not be any way for you to use laser-cutting technology. This is because these metals are too thick for most laser-cutting machines to handle.

3. High Initial Cost

One of the biggest challenges with using laser cutting machines is their high initial cost. While some companies offer financing options or leasing programs that allow you to pay over time instead of upfront, many customers aren’t able to afford these prices at first glance—which means they may end up choosing another method instead!

4. Maintenance and Repair Costs

Laser-cutting machines are expensive to maintain and repair. You can easily spend a few hundred dollars on the maintenance of your laser cutting machine annually. Even though these machines are durable and long-lasting, they need regular maintenance to keep them in good condition.

5. Safety Hazards and Regulations

Laser cutters use high-intensity light that can cause injuries if not handled properly. Therefore, it is important to be aware of safety precautions before using these machines. They should also be used by trained professionals who know how to handle them properly. This will ensure not to cause injuries or accidents at work sites where multiple people are working together simultaneously around these tools.

We have also prepared articles on laser safety and exhaust systems.

6. Solutions to Overcome the Challenges

There are ways around these issues. If you’re looking for tube laser cutting machines for sale in your area, there’s no shortage of options. Just make sure that yours meets all safety standards before buying one.

More comprehensive information on the advantages and disadvantages of laser cutting technology can be found in this blog post.

Conclusion

The tube laser cutting machine is now being used in various sectors of the manufacturing and engineering industry.

They are useful for both large-scale and small-scale product production. Laser cutting machines have revolutionized the engineering industry, offering unparalleled precision and paving the way for innovative designs. As the realm of engineering advances, embracing these tools becomes not just an option, but a necessity for those seeking to lead in the field.

Unlock Next-Level Engineering with Baison Laser!

The Baison Laser machines can be used for many industrial purposes like cutting toughened glass, steel tubes, fiberglass sheets, and aluminum alloy tubes, among many more. They can cut through different types of materials, such as metal, plastic, and wood. These machines are now branded products making them a popular choice among engineers and manufacturers.

We hope this article has given you some insight into how laser-cutting machines work and what they can do for your company. Contact us today to have a free consultation on how machines can transform your workforce.