Lasers amplify light by absorbing and radiating energy. The laser radiation is generated by a laser source. For this, concentrated energy is supplied to a crystal rod (solid state laser) or a special gas mixture (gas laser). The crystal rod or the laser active gas is arranged between two mirrors. This generates a light resonator that directs the laser light into a specific direction and amplifies it in this manner. A defined percentage of the laser light is emitted through the partially transmissive mirrors and is directed onto the material -- where it engraves, marks or cuts the desired motif.

The laser cutter is one of the most useful tools in a modern shop. Laser cutters work by directing a very powerful laser beam, at a precise focal length, onto a material which they either cut or etch, depending on how the laser cutter has been set up. Laser cutters cut materials similarly to other computer controlled tools, only they do so using a beam of light as opposed to a blade. When laser cutters are set up to etch something on the surface of a material, they operate like a printer, literally using their laser beam to etch an image onto something.

Heat is the random motion of matter particles (atomic or molecular particles) – however, the laser beam itself is not made of matter but of ‘photons’, the so-called ‘light particles’ which have no mass, i.e. that a laser beam can have no temperature.

Laser engraving is a process that vaporizes materials into fumes to engrave permanent, deep marks. The laser beam acts as a chisel, incising marks by removing layers from the surface of the material. The laser hits localized areas with massive levels of energy to generate the high heat required for vaporization.

As we all know, speed and quality are often inversely proportional, higher speed may often come with lower quality. Thus, the overall speed of the cutting machines affects the precision on the final output.

For laser cutting or for very high speed applications, you would need a laser power of more than 80 watts.

Laser cutters will generate fumes, vapors, particulates, and metal fumes from substrates that can be highly toxic (plastics and other combustible materials). All laser cutter systems must be equipped with a fume exhaust system and filtration system that meets manufacturer specifications.

A fiber laser cutting machine is a type of laser cutting system that utilizes a fiber laser as its energy source. It is commonly used in industrial settings for precise and efficient cutting of various materials, including metals, plastics, and composites.
The working principle of a fiber laser cutting machine involves several steps:

1. Fiber Laser Generation: The machine contains a fiber laser resonator that produces a high-intensity laser beam. The laser is generated by passing laser diodes through a fiber optic cable, which amplifies and concentrates the light.
2. Beam Delivery System: The laser beam is guided from the resonator to the cutting head through a series of mirrors and lenses. This beam delivery system ensures the laser beam is accurately directed and focused onto the material being cut.
3. Material Preparation: The workpiece, which can be a sheet or plate of the desired material, is positioned on the machine's cutting bed. The material is secured in place, often using clamps or vacuum suction, to prevent movement during the cutting process.
4. Beam Focusing: The laser beam passes through a focusing lens in the cutting head. This lens narrows down the beam's diameter and concentrates its energy into a small spot size, increasing its intensity.
5. Cutting Process: The focused laser beam is directed onto the material's surface, causing localized heating and melting. As the laser moves across the workpiece along a predetermined path, the intense heat vaporizes or melts the material. The assist gas, typically oxygen or nitrogen, is often used to blow away the molten or vaporized material from the cut path, ensuring a clean and precise cut.
6. CNC Control: The entire cutting process is controlled by a computer numerical control (CNC) system. The operator uses software to program the desired cutting patterns, dimensions, and specifications. The CNC system translates these instructions into precise movements and controls the laser power, speed, and other parameters to achieve the desired cut.
7. Cooling and Exhaust: During the cutting process, the fiber laser and cutting head can generate heat. Cooling systems, such as water or air cooling, are employed to maintain optimal operating temperatures. An exhaust system is also utilized to remove fumes and debris produced during cutting.
8. Fiber laser cutting machines offer several advantages, including high cutting speeds, exceptional precision, reduced maintenance requirements, and the ability to process a wide range of materials. These machines are widely used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, and sheet metal fabrication.

In sheet metal cutting mainly High-power CO2 Laser, YAG Laser and Fiber lasers are used. Out of those, high power CO2 Laser and YAG Laser are very old technology. These lasers need high maintenance, a lot of consumables and are not very efficient. Besides this, Fiber lasers are easy to maintain, less consumables and provide high efficiency. The cutting speed is also high compared to the other two lasers. The running cost of the fiber laser is very less compared to CO2 and YAG Lasers.

Laser cutting is preferred due to the following reason:

• During laser cutting process, there is no contact between the cutting head and sheet material so there is no possibility of scratches on the sheet.
• Cutting heat effect is very small and sheet deformation due to heat is very less.
• The cutting speed is very fast.
• We can get very small kerf/slit width with laser cutting.
• No mechanical stress on material due to no contact cutting.
• Very high precision, high accuracy, and good repeatability.
• There is no limitation of the profile or shape. It can cut any shape. You just have to make the CAD file of that particular shape.
• No tool changing required.
• Very low maintenance and very good efficiency.

A fiber laser cutting machine is a versatile tool that can process various materials with precision and efficiency. Some of the commonly processed materials include:

• Metals: Fiber lasers are particularly well-suited for cutting metals. They can effectively process materials such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, brass, titanium, and other alloys. The high-power fiber lasers are capable of cutting through thick metal sheets with speed and accuracy.
• Plastics: Fiber lasers can also cut different types of plastics, including acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, PVC, ABS, and more. The laser beam melts or vaporizes the plastic, creating clean and precise cuts.
• Wood and Plywood: Fiber lasers can cut through wood and plywood materials, allowing for intricate designs, engraving, and shaping. However, it's important to note that the laser parameters need to be carefully adjusted to prevent charring or burning.
• Leather and Textiles: Fiber lasers are commonly used for cutting leather and various textiles, such as fabric, felt, synthetic materials, and natural fibers. They offer high precision and the ability to create intricate patterns.
• Composites: Fiber laser cutting machines can process composite materials, which are a combination of different materials, such as carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) or fiberglass reinforced plastics (FRP). These materials are often used in aerospace, automotive, and other industries.

It's worth mentioning that the suitability of a specific material for fiber laser cutting depends on its composition, thickness, and other factors. Different materials may require adjustments in laser power, speed, focus, and assist gases to achieve optimal cutting results. It's advisable to consult the manufacturer's guidelines and perform test cuts to determine the best settings for a particular material.

High purity (99.5%) Oxygen gas is used for Carbon steel, Stainless steel, and Copper, while
High purity (99.9%) Nitrogen is used for Stainless steel, Aluminium, Brass and Titanium

Auxiliary gas is very useful in the cutting process. The work of auxiliary gas is as mentioned below:

• To blow away the molten slag which is produced during the cutting process and get good quality cutting.
• To cool down the material to reduce the heat affected zone.
• To prevent the dust and smoke from entering the cutting head.
• We use the oxygen gas to produce the combustion effect to cut the carbon steel and Nitrogen is used for material like Stainless steel to prevent it from oxidation process and it gives a shining effect.

It's worth mentioning that the suitability of a specific material for fiber laser cutting depends on its composition, thickness, and other factors. Different materials may require adjustments in laser power, speed, focus, and assist gases to achieve optimal cutting results. It's advisable to consult the manufacturer's guidelines and perform test cuts to determine the best settings for a particular material.

Yes, you can cut sheet metals with high pressure compressed air also. The air pressure should be above 13 bar.

To select the Laser power for your application, there are certain points you need to consider

1. the thickness of the materials to be cut. Each power range of the laser source has its capacity on the thickness of the materials. Higher the laser power, higher the thickness of the material.
2. Cutting quality - During selection of the laser power, the cutting quality and finishing requirement is also needed to consider. Higher the laser power, higher the cutting quality of particular thickness.

• Power of the laser source – Higher the laser power, higher is the cutting quality of the certain thickness.
• Quality of the materials – Rust free and smooth materials will give good quality result
• Purity of the auxiliary gas - The purity of the auxiliary gas needs to be very high. If the purity of the gas is not as per requirement the cutting quality will not be good.
• The cutting speed – Too high or too low cutting speed will affect the cutting quality.
• Focus setting - Focus needs to be accurate to get the good cutting quality.

Laser cutting is environment friendly compared to other sheet metal cutting machines. Compared to plasma cutting, oxygen cutting, it produces less smoke, weak light and low sound. It does not harm the human body. But if the customer will not follow the correct operating procedure it will cause personal injury to the user and can also damage the machine.
Beware of flammable materials when using the machine. Certain materials are not allowed to be cut on a laser cutting machine, including foam core materials, any PVC materials, highly reflective materials, etc.
Do not stare at the laser processing operation continuously, please wear safety goggles during operation.