Laser
Laser
Laser
Daniel Connolly
Anton Vorsteveld
Jared Wall
Oliver Williams
Yuan Yuan
Background
Laser cutting has been used in industry since
the 1970's.
The first common application was for sign-
making, mainly cutting acrylic.
It is now a significant process in every
manufacturing economy.
Introduction
Laser cutting is a technology that uses a
laser to cut precise patterns in most all types
of materials such as metal, ceramic ,paper
and so on.
Introduction
There are two types of lasers used for
cutting:
the gaseous CO2 laser
the solid-state Nd:YAG laser.
Applications
Wood
Paper
Leather
Glass
Ceramic
Metal
Benefits
The flexibility and precision cutting of
simple or complex parts;
A non contact cut which means no marks or
contamination of the material;
A high quality cut with no extra finishing
required;
The ability to cut almost any material.
Drawbacks
Material limitations (including crystalline
and reflective materials)
Producing a piercing hole that can make the
pattern design more difficult.
Reflected laser light can present a safety
hazard
The cost of laser cutting machine is much
higher than other cutting processes
Economics of Laser Cutters
High Initial Costs, some machines $300,000 +
Protective glass, gas nozzles, dust and particle
filters need replacement
High use of cutting gasses 500-2000 L/H of O2
and/or N2 (.36 $/L)
Economics of Laser Cutters
Economics of Laser Cutters
www.osaka-gu.ac.jp www.cncmachines.us
Process
www.ebteccorp.com
www.matrixmetalcraft.com
Science
The Beam
.0875-.5 inches from the source
~.001 inch at the workpiece
Many factors are material and thickness
dependent
focal length, beam intensity, reed rate, cut with
(kerf), cut time, machine configuration
Types of cut
Vaporization cutting, Melt and Blow, Thermal
stress cracking, Burning Stabilized
Capabilities
Materials
Steel, Titanium, Paper, Wood, Leather, Wax,
Plastic, Fabric
Easily cuts .5 inch stainless steel
Limitations
Reflective materials, highly conductive
Many applications
Safety Hazards
Contact with hot workpiece
Hand/eye contact with beam
Inhalation of fumes
Smoke, Fumes, dust particles have
environmental risks
Machine Types
Moving Material
Positioning table moves in x-y plane
Moving Optics
Optical unit moves in x-y plane
Hybrid
Material moves in x, Optics move in y
Examples
Hobby shop
Small production runs
Used for prototyping and hobbies
Generally use a Moving Optics configuration
Connected to fume hood for ventilation
May be home made
www.germes-online.com http://nilno.com/laser_intro/system.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80-ZIWDNfIE
Examples
Production Machine
Medium to large production runs
Used for producing production components
Can be one of all 3 configurations
Connected to fume hood for ventilation
Contain production line facilitators
www.cupplesjandj.com
news.thomasnet.com
www.alibaba.com
Processes and Practices
¨ Laser Cutting Results
¡ Majority of applications are in 2D
¡ Extreme precision can be achieved
¡ Capable of providing high tolerances and
providing high quality surface finishes
¨ Results on the Material
¡ May affect hardness
¡ Possible change in grain size
¡ Narrow heat-affected zone
Processes and Practices
¨ Laser Applications
¡ Laser Welding
ú More accurate, reliable and fast than traditional
welding methods
¡ Laser Marking
ú Similarly accurate, reliable and fast in comparison
to traditional marking methods
Processes and Practices
¨ Current Uses of Laser Cutting Systems
¡ Primarily 2D Systems
¡ Either melts, burns, or vaporizes away material
¡ Used to cut flat-sheet metal and
piping/structural materials
Processes and Practices
¨ 3D Laser Cutting Applications
¡ The future of laser cutting
Processes and Practices
¨ About 3D Laser Cutters
¡ 6-axis rotary head to allow beveled and mitered
cuts
¡ Capable of cutting round, square, channel, angle
and other structural shapes
¡ Up to ¾” cut thickness
¡ Industries Served
ú Automotive, industrial, electrical, constructions
and aerospace
Pace Makers
A Case Study
Trumpf Lasers
Specializes in Medical Equipment
Laser Welding, Cutting, Marking
Pace Makers
A Case Study
Pace Makers
A Case Study
Utilizes laser cutting, welding, marking.
Pace Makers
A Case Study
Nearly Seamless Markings
Pace Makers
A Case Study
Conclusion
There are many useful applications and uses
for Laser Cutting in the current
manufacturing market
Many new innovations are on their way and
new uses for this versatile cutting process
are cropping up each year
The future of Laser cutting has a bright
future, so don’t forget your welding mask
Questions for the class
Have any of you ever used or seen a Laser Cutting
Machine in use?
Could Laser cutting ever completely substitute for
other cutting machines?
What are the limitations with respect to what we
are covering in class right now?
What future applications can you see Laser Cutting
to be useful for?
Where on a car assembly line could Laser Cutting
improve quality and production times?
Could you use laser cutting to reduce the safety
risks on a production floor?
What role could Laser cutting perform in a job
shop?