What is laser cutting, and how does it work?

Laser Cutting is a digital subtractive fabrication technique, which can be used on many materials such as wood, acrylics, cardboard, and more. It consists of cutting or engraving material with a laser. Laser Cutting is particularly effective in several sectors where production rate and speed are essential.

Laser cutting is a production process that involves cutting material using a powerful and highly accurate laser that focuses on a small area of the material. The high power density results in rapid heating, melting, and partial or complete material vaporization.

As the heat-affected area is small, around 0.5 mm, cut parts show minor deformation. Usually, a computer directs the high-power laser at the material and traces out the path. To reduce any burning or blistering of your object, we recommend that the space between 2 cutting lines is equal to or more significant than the thickness of the sheet used ( example: a sheet of 2 mm means all cutting lines need to be at least 2 mm apart). 

The machine works by cutting or engraving a slab or slice of the material with various thicknesses. The thickness of the material that can be cut is dependent on the power of the laser. Generally, material thickness is in the range of 1 to 10 mm. 

See a laser cutter in action: