For cutting and engraving metal at modern enterprises often use a special kind of machine tools - laser. This type of equipment in comparison with traditional has a number of indisputable advantages. Such machines are mainly used for processing small batches of workpieces. At the same time, cutting and engraving can be done on products made from a variety of materials: plastic, plexiglass, fabric, etc. But most often this type of equipment is used to process workpieces made of wood and metal.
Principle of operation
The design of equipment such as a laser machine for cutting and engraving is not particularly complex. The principle of its operation is relatively simple. A manual drawing or engraving of a workpiece is preliminarily developed. Next, the product is fixed on the machine table. Cutting or engraving is done using a special laser head. Mechanical contact between the cutting tool and the product does not occur. Cutting is done by a beam heated to a very high temperature. In the place of the cut, the metal simply melts. It is removed with a gas stream.
Types of Laser Heads
On modern machines of this type different working tools can be used. Laser cutting is performed with the heads:
Solid state. They are made on the basis of yttrium aluminum garnet. Warming up is carried out using high-voltage discharge lamps. The generation mode in this case can be both pulsed and constant.
With diode pumping. This is a relatively new type of laser. The discharge lamps in them are replaced by powerful LEDs. Such lasers are quite expensive, but also more convenient to use and also safe. The fact is that in this equipment there are completely no elements that are under high voltage.
CO2 lasers. This type of equipment is today considered the most advanced. Using it, it is possible to cut not only steel and wood, but also, for example, aluminum, which is distinguished by its high reflective ability.
Machine table and additional options
This element in modern laser equipment is usually end-to-end. Such tables are convenient in that on machines supplemented by them, you can process workpieces of absolutely any length.
If desired, a modern laser machine for cutting and engraving can be supplemented with all sorts of elements that significantly increase its functionality. For example, such nodes as a lifting table, which allows increasing the height along the Z axis, rotary devices designed for engraving cylindrical parts, honeycomb surfaces for processing workpieces of very small sizes, etc. are very popular.
CNC
Like any other production equipment, such machines can be automated using a numerical control system. Pretty high cost is what usually distinguishes such a laser machine. CNC, however, makes this type of equipment much more productive and easy to use. It is simply impossible to make any mistakes in engraving and cutting on such a machine. After all, they are managed by means of a special software developed specifically for this particular type of procurement. The only case when using such a machine can cause problems is errors in the development of the drawings.
The convenience of using this type of equipment lies in the fact that you do not have to do any manual work on it. The laser machine operator only monitors the quality of workpieces coming out from under the cutter and the uninterrupted operation of it. Typically, such equipment is also complemented by remote control.
Benefits of using
The advantages of such equipment as a laser machine for cutting and engraving, there are many. These include primarily the fact that:
Due to the lack of mechanical contact, the possibility of crushing the workpiece or the appearance of any scratches on it is excluded.
Cutting and engraving on such equipment can be done with the highest degree of accuracy.
When cutting blanks, the cut is very clean. Therefore, the ends of the resulting products do not require additional processing.
Engraving or cutting parts on such machines can have absolutely any degree of complexity. Even very small elements of patterns and inscriptions on such machines come out neat and look great.
In addition, the use of modern laser machines allows a good saving on material. Indeed, there is practically no waste when processing workpieces on such machines. Laser machines are also valued for their small size and low weight. You can install such equipment in the workshop without using a foundation.
Main applications
Most often, equipment such as a laser cutting machine for metal or any other materials is used by various kinds of companies engaged in the production of promotional products. It is very convenient to make all kinds of stamps, seals, souvenirs, posters of complex design, etc. on such equipment. In addition, patterns for the textile industry and beautiful interior elements from different materials are made on laser machines. The equipment of this variety is also used in the areas of:
construction;
aircraft building;
light industry;
machine-building;
shipbuilding.
Specifications
The parameters of laser machines depending on the scope and design can be different. Below for example, we present to your attention a table with the characteristics of the model RJ 1390, designed for working with wooden workpieces. It is a very user-friendly and productive laser machine. CNC is also provided in it.
Parameter | Value |
Laser power | 60 wat |
Laser type | CO2 |
Cutting power adjustment | Software or hardware |
Engraving speed | 0 ... 1000 mm / s |
Cutting depth | 0 ... 25 mm |
Cutting speed | 0 ... 860 mm / s |
Supported Software | LaserCut 5.3, CorelDraw, AutoCAD |
CNC OS | Windows XP / 7/8 (32/64) |
Maximum allowable workpiece thickness | 400 mm |
Voltage | 220 V, 50 Hz |
Machine power | 1000 watts |
Connection interface | USB 2 |
Laser tube cooling | Water |
Dimensions | 1700012001100 mm |
Weight | 320 kg |
As you can see, this is actually a good laser machine for wood. When using it, you can make products of almost any complexity, and quite quickly.
Features of machine tools for metal
For engraving and cutting blanks from this material, modern powerful models with a CO2 tool are usually used. Laser metal cutting machine can be used to work with ordinary steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper, etc. The power of the laser beam in such units is very large. There is equipment of this type on the market today for cutting sheets up to two centimeters thick.
For each type of metal, its own cutting or engraving technology is being developed. So, machines designed for cutting stainless steel are usually supplemented with units responsible for processing the part with nitric acid. This substance protects the metal from oxidation and fire due to high temperature. For copper, since this metal is very hard, machine tools with very powerful working tools are used. Laser cutting on such equipment is usually carried out at very low speeds. To work with copper, machine tools are used mainly with solid-state heads.
The easiest way to process steel and brass on laser equipment. In this case, no additional devices are required, and the configuration is elementary.
Equipment price
How much can a modern laser machine cost? The price of this type of equipment depends on many factors. Small models cost between 90-100 thousand rubles. For a more powerful machine, equipped with various kinds of additional devices, you will have to pay from 200 to 500 thousand rubles.
Thus, a modern laser cutting and engraving machine is a reliable, productive and high-quality equipment. It is advisable to use it mainly in small and medium-sized workshops. Perhaps the cost of buying such a machine will be serious. However, equipment of this type will pay for itself due to the high speed of work and saving on material very quickly.