What is laser cutting and engraving?

Post by Ronny Garcia

Feb 02 2022

Laser cutting and engraving, a new trend in production tools

Technological advances are entering our lives more and more, and today, we can find the most innovative tools in the comfort of our home.

In this case, we can clearly see the progress that many production tools have made, which have impressively reduced the human physical effort required. Specifically, one of the tools that has stood out the most in recent years are those specialized in laser cutting and engraving.

What is laser cutting and engraving?

If you don't have much experience in this field, it's normal that you are not very clear about what we are talking about. However, it is easier than you think: Laser cutting and engraving are technical methods for handling materials and, as their name indicates, they serve to cut an element or engrave something on the surface of a material.

Thus, a laser engraving and cutting machine really works through heat. That is, depending on the temperature and proximity of the laser (since, after all, a laser is a great concentration of light) to the surface of the material we want to cut or engrave, we will have one result or another.

Also, it should be noted that there are different types of laser machinery and these are divided according to the laser source they use. In this way, we can find CO2 Lasers (use of carbon dioxide for the laser operation), fiber lasers (due to the use of optical fiber in the laser) and YAG lasers (name derived from the material used).

The difference between these types of lasers lies in the cutting diameter they produce so, depending on the material to be cut or the cut to be made, we will be interested in using one laser or another.

The advantages of using laser cutting and engraving

Being a quite innovative technology, we can find numerous advantages in the use of laser cutting and engraving machinery.

The first advantage we find, without a doubt, is the millimetric precision provided by the laser's operation when cutting. Through digitalization, by working with specific data, the existing margin of error is practically zero, which ensures perfect cuts.

Another advantage provided by laser technology tools can be seen in the finishes they achieve. We have already talked about the precision in cuts, but it is interesting to add that the material is not damaged at any time. That is, the engraved or cut material will not deform and, on the other hand, the material used will not require any post-treatment such as, for example, touching up some cuts or sanding the edges.

Likewise, this is related to the use of material. Being such a precise machine that, normally, rarely makes errors, material usage is reduced. Similarly, this technique allows cutting practically any material thanks to laser technology, from wood or plastic to metal, which allows much more material diversity in our product. For all these reasons, each piece presented will have perfect measurements and will not present any type of production error .

In conclusion, in recent years we have seen technology grow, and proof of this is the introduction of full digitalization in production processes. It is an important milestone because, thanks to technological tools like the one we presented today, many elements that we can't even imagine now can gradually change.

Difference between laser cutter and CO2

If you are looking for a machine to cut and engrave materials, you have surely heard about laser cutters and CO2 cutters. Both are excellent options, but there are some important differences to consider before deciding on one or the other.

In general terms, a laser cutter uses a laser beam to cut and engrave materials, while a CO2 cutter uses carbon dioxide gas to achieve the same results. Although both technologies use a laser beam to cut materials, there are significant differences in how these beams are generated and used.

A laser cutter uses a solid-state laser or a fiber optic laser to generate the laser beam. These types of lasers are highly efficient and produce a high-quality beam that can cut and engrave a wide variety of materials, from wood and plastics to metals and glass. Additionally, laser cutters are capable of cutting with greater precision than CO2 cutters, making them ideal for high-precision projects.

On the other hand, a CO2 cutter uses carbon dioxide gas to generate the laser beam. These machines are less expensive than laser cutters and are better suited for cutting and engraving thicker and heavier materials, such as plywood and acrylic. However, CO2 cutters are not as precise as laser cutters and may produce less smooth cuts and less defined lines.

In summary, the main difference between a laser cutter and a CO2 cutter is the energy source they use to generate the laser beam. Laser cutters are more precise and can cut a wide variety of materials with great accuracy, while CO2 cutters are better suited for cutting and engraving thicker and heavier materials at a lower cost. Ultimately, the choice between a laser cutter and a CO2 cutter will depend on your specific needs and the type of projects you plan to undertake.

Laser engraving machine

With a laser engraving machine, you can create precise and detailed designs on materials such as wood, leather, plastic, metal, and other hard and durable materials. Additionally, you can use it for both small quantity jobs and mass production.

The laser engraving process uses a light beam focused on a very small point, allowing precise designs to be created on a variety of materials. The laser engraving machine lets you adjust the intensity and speed of the light beam to achieve the desired effect. With this tool, you can create designs with a precision of up to 0.001 inches.

Another advantage of laser engraving is that it does not require the use of molds or cutting tools, making it much faster and more economical than other engraving and cutting processes. Additionally, it is possible to create highly detailed designs, including images and texts that can be easily customized for different purposes.

Laser engraving machines are used in a variety of industries, including advertising, art, and jewelry. For example, you can use it to create custom jewelry pieces, company logos, decorative objects, or even engrave photographs on hard materials.