References and
Application Notes
Applications of
CO2 Laser Cutting Machines
1.
Acrylic cutting: Max
cutting of acrylic is 3/4 inch (18mm) in one pass using 100W laser and
11/4 inch (31mm) using 200W laser. High air-flow can result a frost
edge while preventing from flaming. For thin material, dual head is a
good decision for increasing the production volume.
2.
Modeling: Thin
acrylics, mat-board and wood are materials of choice. Vector cutting
and scoring from CAD software are very common. Our unique feature of
power/speed control is much better than other machines. And it is
critical for architectural customers.
3.
Plastics cutting: Aside
from the very thin (less than .030") do not bother cutting
polycarbonates (lexan). The edges will always be brown/yellow,
and it produces hydrochloric acid during the cutting, which will eat
up everything inside the laser and in the exhaust system. This is the
same problem with PVC. ABS seems to work fine, as does polyester.
4.
Wood / MDF /Plywood: About
the thickest wood, the 100W can cut 3/4 inch and 200W can cut1 1/4 inch depending on the wood. 100W is
ideal for cutting 6mm MDF board for decoration items. 100W has only
limited capabilities to cut plywood of 3/4 inch for steel rule dies.
For wider cut width, parallel cut is easier to get and control the
width required. 200W can cut almost two times faster than 100W. The
cuts are not straight enough unless power is sufficient.
5.
Membrane switch:
Thin polyesters, adhesives and polycarbonate are common. 40W is the
machine suited best to this application.
6.
Fabrics / Embroidery: Low
volume applications are fine. Stacking of material when cutting makes
for inconsistent and typically brown edges. Many materials stick
together when stack cutting (plastic based materials). Cotton/denim
are great. 40W or 60W are the machines suited better to this
application.
7.
Paper/Foils Converting: Web
converting applications include slitting, perforating, kiss-cutting,
and scoring of paper products, foils, membranes or composites. These
materials can be precisely cut or marked at high production speeds.
Laser systems set up quickly between jobs, eliminating the time and
expense of die and tooling changeovers.
The
materials listed below are not applicable. They are a waste of time.
‧bricks
‧rocks
or stones
‧glass
‧thick
polycarbonate-thicker than 0.030 inch
‧hard
PCB (circuit boards)
‧No
metals of any kind can be cut cleanly-very thin (0.003 inch or less)
can be cut sometimes, but the edge is terrible.
Please recommend the papers
related to lasers and laser applications.