Marquetry - Wikipedia
Marquetry is the art and craft of applying pieces of veneer to a structure to form decorative patterns or designs. The technique may be applied to case ...
laser cutting
Cutting-edge tech has also been applied to marquetry. Among these is <anchor>laser cutting</anchor>, where the design is drawn or imported as a CAD or vector file and each piece is cut separately; each different species of wood-and thickness-may need a specific adjustment of the beam power; the offset will determine the gap between the pieces. In some cases, the beam will leave a dark edge due to the high heat required by the process.
Laser cutting - Wikipedia
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## Contents

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- (Top)

- [1History](#History)
- [2Process](#Process)
- [3Types](#Types)
- [4Methods](#Methods)Toggle Methods subsection  - [4.1Vaporization cutting](#Vaporization_cutting)
  - [4.2Melt and blow](#Melt_and_blow)
  - [4.3Thermal stress cracking](#Thermal_stress_cracking)
  - [4.4Stealth dicing of silicon wafers](#Stealth_dicing_of_silicon_wafers)
  - [4.5Reactive cutting](#Reactive_cutting)
- [5Tolerances and surface finish](#Tolerances_and_surface_finish)
- [6Machine configurations](#Machine_configurations)Toggle Machine configurations subsection  - [6.1Pulsing](#Pulsing)
- [7Power consumption](#Power_consumption)
- [8Production and cutting rates](#Production_and_cutting_rates)
- [9See also](#See_also)
- [10References](#References)
- [11Bibliography](#Bibliography)

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# Laser cutting

38 languages

- [العربية](https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%B7%D8%B9_%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%B2%D8%B1 "القطع بالليزر – Arabic")
- [Asturianu](https://ast.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corte_con_l%C3%A1ser "Corte con láser – Asturian")
- [Azərbaycanca](https://az.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazerl%C9%99_k%C9%99sm%C9%99 "Lazerlə kəsmə – Azerbaijani")
- [Башҡортса](https://ba.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9B%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B5%D1%80_%D1%8F%D1%80%D2%99%D0%B0%D0%BC%D1%8B%D0%BD%D0%B4%D0%B0_%D2%A1%D1%8B%D1%80%D2%A1%D1%8B%D1%83 "Лазер ярҙамында ҡырҡыу – Bashkir")
- [Български](https://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9B%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BD%D0%BE_%D1%80%D1%8F%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B5 "Лазерно рязане – Bulgarian")
- [Català](https://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tallat_l%C3%A0ser "Tallat làser – Catalan")
- [Dansk](https://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lasersk%C3%A6ring "Laserskæring – Danish")
- [Deutsch](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laserschneiden "Laserschneiden – German")
- [Eesti](https://et.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laserl%C3%B5ikus "Laserlõikus – Estonian")
- [Ελληνικά](https://el.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%9A%CE%BF%CF%80%CE%AE_%CE%BC%CE%B5_%CE%BB%CE%AD%CE%B9%CE%B6%CE%B5%CF%81 "Κοπή με λέιζερ – Greek")
- [Español](https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corte_con_l%C3%A1ser "Corte con láser – Spanish")
- [Euskara](https://eu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laserraren_bidezko_ebaketa "Laserraren bidezko ebaketa – Basque")
- [فارسی](https://fa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A8%D8%B1%D8%B4_%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%B2%D8%B1%DB%8C "برش لیزری – Persian")
- [Français](https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%A9coupe_laser "Découpe laser – French")
- [한국어](https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EB%A0%88%EC%9D%B4%EC%A0%80_%EC%A0%88%EB%8B%A8 "레이저 절단 – Korean")
- [Hrvatski](https://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rezanje_laserom "Rezanje laserom – Croatian")
- [Bahasa Indonesia](https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pemotongan_laser "Pemotongan laser – Indonesian")
- [עברית](https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%97%D7%99%D7%AA%D7%95%D7%9A_%D7%91%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%99%D7%96%D7%A8 "חיתוך בלייזר – Hebrew")
- [Magyar](https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%C3%A9zerv%C3%A1g%C3%A1s "Lézervágás – Hungarian")
- [मराठी](https://mr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%B2%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%9D%E0%A4%B0_%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%9F%E0%A4%B0 "लेझर कटर – Marathi")
- [Nederlands](https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lasersnijden "Lasersnijden – Dutch")
- [日本語](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%AC%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B6%E5%88%87%E6%96%AD "レーザ切断 – Japanese")
- [Norsk bokmål](https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laserskj%C3%A6ring "Laserskjæring – Norwegian Bokmål")
- [Oʻzbekcha / ўзбекча](https://uz.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazerli_kesish "Lazerli kesish – Uzbek")
- [Polski](https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ci%C4%99cie_laserowe "Cięcie laserowe – Polish")
- [Português](https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corte_e_grava%C3%A7%C3%A3o_a_laser "Corte e gravação a laser – Portuguese")
- [Русский](https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9B%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%8F_%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B7%D0%BA%D0%B0 "Лазерная резка – Russian")
- [Slovenščina](https://sl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lasersko_rezanje "Lasersko rezanje – Slovenian")
- [Српски / srpski](https://sr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rezanje_laserom "Rezanje laserom – Serbian")
- [Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски](https://sh.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rezanje_laserom "Rezanje laserom – Serbo-Croatian")
- [Suomi](https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laserleikkaus_(teollisuus) "Laserleikkaus (teollisuus) – Finnish")
- [Svenska](https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lasersk%C3%A4rning "Laserskärning – Swedish")
- [தமிழ்](https://ta.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%80%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8A%E0%AE%B3%E0%AE%BF_%E0%AE%B5%E0%AF%86%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%81 "சீரொளி வெட்டு – Tamil")
- [Türkçe](https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazer_kesim "Lazer kesim – Turkish")
- [Українська](https://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9B%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BD%D0%B5_%D1%80%D1%96%D0%B7%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%BD%D1%8F "Лазерне різання – Ukrainian")
- [Tiếng Việt](https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%E1%BA%AFt_b%E1%BA%B1ng_laser "Cắt bằng laser – Vietnamese")
- [粵語](https://zh-yue.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%BF%80%E5%85%89%E5%88%87%E5%89%B2 "激光切割 – Cantonese")
- [中文](https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%9B%B7%E5%B0%84%E5%88%87%E5%89%B2 "雷射切割 – Chinese")

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Technology that uses a laser to cut materials

[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/LaserCutter.jpg/220px-LaserCutter.jpg)](/wiki/File:LaserCutter.jpg) Diagram of a laser cutterLaser cutting process on a sheet of steel[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/Laser_cutting_CAD_and_physical_part.png/170px-Laser_cutting_CAD_and_physical_part.png)](/wiki/File:Laser_cutting_CAD_and_physical_part.png) [CAD](/wiki/Computer-aided_design "Computer-aided design") (top) and stainless steel laser-cut part (bottom)

**Laser cutting** is a technology that uses a [laser](/wiki/Laser "Laser") to vaporize materials, resulting in a cut edge. While typically used for industrial manufacturing applications, it is now used by schools, small businesses, architecture, and hobbyists. Laser [cutting](/wiki/Cutting "Cutting") works by directing the output of a high-power laser most commonly through optics. The [laser optics](/wiki/Laser_optics "Laser optics") and [CNC](/wiki/CNC "CNC") (computer numerical control) are used to direct the laser beam to the material. A commercial laser for cutting materials uses a motion control system to follow a CNC or [G-code](/wiki/G-code "G-code") of the pattern to be cut onto the material. The focused laser beam is directed at the material, which then either melts, burns, vaporizes away, or is blown away by a jet of gas,[\[1\]](#cite_note-1) leaving an edge with a high-quality surface finish.[\[2\]](#cite_note-2)

## History

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Laser_cutting&action=edit&section=1 "Edit section: History")\]

In 1965, the first production laser cutting machine was used to [drill](/wiki/Drilling "Drilling") holes in [diamond](/wiki/Diamond "Diamond") [dies](/wiki/Die_(manufacturing) "Die (manufacturing)"). This machine was made by the [Western Electric Engineering Research Center](/wiki/Western_Electric_Engineering_Research_Center "Western Electric Engineering Research Center").[\[3\]](#cite_note-3) In 1967, the British pioneered laser-assisted oxygen jet cutting for metals.[\[4\]](#cite_note-4) In the early 1970s, this technology was put into production to cut titanium for aerospace applications. At the same time, CO2 lasers were adapted to cut non-metals, such as [textiles](/wiki/Textiles "Textiles"), because, at the time, CO2 lasers were not powerful enough to overcome the [thermal conductivity](/wiki/Thermal_conductivity "Thermal conductivity") of metals.[\[5\]](#cite_note-5)

## Process

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Laser_cutting&action=edit&section=2 "Edit section: Process")\]

[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Laser-and-CNC-Control.jpg/220px-Laser-and-CNC-Control.jpg)](/wiki/File:Laser-and-CNC-Control.jpg) Industrial laser cutting of steel with cutting instructions programmed through the CNC interface

The laser beam is generally focused using a high-quality lens on the work zone. The [quality of the beam](/wiki/M_squared "M squared") has a direct impact on the focused spot size. The narrowest part of the focused beam is generally less than 0.0125 inches (0.32 mm) in diameter. Depending upon the material thickness, [kerf](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/kerf "wikt:kerf") widths as small as 0.004 inches (0.10 mm) are possible.[\[6\]](#cite_note-6) In order to be able to start cutting from somewhere other than the edge, a pierce is done before every cut. Piercing usually involves a high-power pulsed laser beam which slowly makes a hole in the material, taking around 5–15 seconds for 0.5-inch-thick (13 mm) [stainless steel](/wiki/Stainless_steel "Stainless steel"), for example.

The parallel rays of coherent light from the laser source often fall in the range between 0.06–0.08 inches (1.5–2.0 mm) in diameter. This beam is normally focused and intensified by a lens or a mirror to a very small spot of about 0.001 inches (0.025 mm) to create a very intense laser beam. In order to achieve the smoothest possible finish during contour cutting, the direction of the beam [polarization](/wiki/Polarization_(waves) "Polarization (waves)") must be rotated as it goes around the periphery of a contoured workpiece. For sheet metal cutting, the focal length is usually 1.5–3 inches (38–76 mm).[\[7\]](#cite_note-7)[\[8\]](#cite_note-8)

Advantages of laser cutting over [mechanical cutting](/wiki/Mechanical_cutting "Mechanical cutting") include easier work holding and reduced contamination of workpiece (since there is no cutting edge which can become contaminated by the material or contaminate the material). Precision may be better since the laser beam does not wear during the process. There is also a reduced chance of warping the material that is being cut, as laser systems have a small [heat-affected zone](/wiki/Heat-affected_zone "Heat-affected zone").[\[9\]](#cite_note-9) Some materials are also very difficult or impossible to cut by more traditional means.

Laser cutting for metals has the advantage over [plasma cutting](/wiki/Plasma_cutting "Plasma cutting") of being more precise[\[10\]](#cite_note-Laser_cutting_for_metals-10) and using less energy when cutting sheet metal; however, most industrial lasers cannot cut through the greater metal thickness that plasma can. Newer laser machines operating at higher power (6000 watts, as contrasted with early laser cutting machines' 1500-watt ratings) are approaching plasma machines in their ability to cut through thick materials, but the capital cost of such machines is much higher than that of plasma cutting machines capable of cutting thick materials like steel plate.[\[11\]](#cite_note-11)

## Types

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Laser_cutting&action=edit&section=3 "Edit section: Types")\]

[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/79/CNC_Laser_Cutting_Machine.jpg/220px-CNC_Laser_Cutting_Machine.jpg)](/wiki/File:CNC_Laser_Cutting_Machine.jpg) 4000 watt CO2 laser cutter

There are three main types of lasers used in laser cutting. The [CO2 laser](/wiki/CO2_laser "CO2 laser") is suited for cutting, boring, and engraving. The [neodymium](/wiki/Neodymium "Neodymium") (Nd) and neodymium [yttrium-aluminium-garnet](/wiki/Yttrium-aluminium-garnet "Yttrium-aluminium-garnet") ( [Nd:YAG](/wiki/Nd:YAG_laser "Nd:YAG laser")) lasers are identical in style and differ only in the application. Nd is used for boring and where high energy but low repetition are required. The Nd:YAG laser is used where very high power is needed and for boring and engraving. Both CO2 and Nd/Nd:YAG lasers can be used for [welding](/wiki/Welding "Welding").[\[12\]](#cite_note-Todd,_p._186-12)

CO2 lasers are commonly "pumped" by passing a current through the gas mix (DC-excited) or using radio frequency energy (RF-excited). The [RF method](/wiki/Dielectric_heating "Dielectric heating") is newer and has become more popular. Since DC designs require electrodes inside the cavity, they can encounter electrode erosion and plating of electrode material on [glassware](/wiki/Glass "Glass") and [optics](/wiki/Optics "Optics"). Since RF resonators have external electrodes they are not prone to those problems.
CO2 lasers are used for the industrial cutting of many materials including titanium, stainless steel, mild steel, aluminium, plastic, wood, engineered wood, wax, fabrics, and paper. YAG lasers are primarily used for cutting and scribing metals and ceramics.

In addition to the power source, the type of gas flow can affect performance as well. Common variants of CO2 lasers include fast axial flow, slow axial flow, transverse flow, and slab. In a fast axial flow resonator, the mixture of carbon dioxide, helium, and nitrogen is circulated at high velocity by a turbine or blower. Transverse flow lasers circulate the gas mix at a lower velocity, requiring a simpler blower. Slab or diffusion-cooled resonators have a static gas field that requires no pressurization or glassware, leading to savings on replacement turbines and glassware.

The laser generator and external optics (including the focus lens) require cooling. Depending on system size and configuration, waste heat may be transferred by a coolant or directly to air. Water is a commonly used coolant, usually circulated through a chiller or heat transfer system.

A _laser microjet_ is a water-jet-guided [laser](/wiki/Laser "Laser") in which a pulsed laser beam is coupled into a low-pressure water jet. This is used to perform laser cutting functions while using the water jet to guide the laser beam, much like an optical fiber, through total internal reflection. The advantages of this are that the water also removes debris and cools the material. Additional advantages over traditional "dry" laser cutting are high dicing speeds, parallel [kerf](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/kerf "wikt:kerf"), and omnidirectional cutting.[\[13\]](#cite_note-SPIE-13)

[Fiber lasers](/wiki/Fiber_laser "Fiber laser") are a type of solid-state laser that is rapidly growing within the metal cutting industry. Unlike CO2, Fiber technology utilizes a solid gain medium, as opposed to a gas or liquid. The “seed laser” produces the laser beam and is then amplified within a glass fiber. With a wavelength of only 1064 nanometers fiber lasers produce an extremely small spot size (up to 100 times smaller compared to the CO2) making it ideal for cutting reflective metal material. This is one of the main advantages of Fiber compared to CO2.

Fibre laser cutter benefits include:

- Rapid processing times.
- Reduced energy consumption & bills – due to greater efficiency.
- Greater reliability and performance - no optics to adjust or align and no lamps to replace.
- Minimal maintenance.
- The ability to process highly reflective materials such as copper and brass.
- Higher productivity - lower operational costs offer a greater return on your investment.[\[14\]](#cite_note-14)

## Methods

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Laser_cutting&action=edit&section=4 "Edit section: Methods")\]

[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/50px-Question_book-new.svg.png)](/wiki/File:Question_book-new.svg)

This section **does not [cite](/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources "Wikipedia:Citing sources") any [sources](/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability "Wikipedia:Verifiability")**. Please help [improve this section](/wiki/Special:EditPage/Laser_cutting "Special:EditPage/Laser cutting") by [adding citations to reliable sources](/wiki/Help:Referencing_for_beginners "Help:Referencing for beginners"). Unsourced material may be challenged and [removed](/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability#Burden_of_evidence "Wikipedia:Verifiability")._(June 2024)__([Learn how and when to remove this message](/wiki/Help:Maintenance_template_removal "Help:Maintenance template removal"))_

There are many different methods of cutting using lasers, with different types used to cut different materials. Some of the methods are vaporization, melt and blow, melt blow and burn, thermal stress cracking, scribing, cold cutting, and burning stabilized laser cutting.

### Vaporization cutting

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Laser_cutting&action=edit&section=5 "Edit section: Vaporization cutting")\]

In vaporization cutting, the focused beam heats the surface of the material to a flashpoint and generates a keyhole. The keyhole leads to a sudden increase in [absorptivity](/wiki/Absorption_(electromagnetic_radiation) "Absorption (electromagnetic radiation)") quickly deepening the hole. As the hole deepens and the material boils, vapor generated erodes the molten walls blowing ejection out and further enlarging the hole. Nonmelting materials such as wood, carbon, and thermoset plastics are usually cut by this method.

### Melt and blow

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Laser_cutting&action=edit&section=6 "Edit section: Melt and blow")\]

Melt and blow or fusion cutting uses high-pressure gas to blow molten material from the cutting area, greatly decreasing the power requirement. First, the material is heated to melting point then a gas jet blows the molten material out of the kerf avoiding the need to raise the temperature of the material any further. Materials cut with this process are usually metals.

### Thermal stress cracking

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Laser_cutting&action=edit&section=7 "Edit section: Thermal stress cracking")\]

Brittle materials are particularly sensitive to thermal fracture, a feature exploited in thermal stress cracking. A beam is focused on the surface causing localized heating and thermal expansion. This results in a crack that can then be guided by moving the beam. The crack can be moved in order of m/s. It is usually used in the cutting of glass.

### Stealth dicing of silicon wafers

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Laser_cutting&action=edit&section=8 "Edit section: Stealth dicing of silicon wafers")\]

Further information: [Wafer dicing](/wiki/Wafer_dicing "Wafer dicing")

The separation of [microelectronic](/wiki/Microelectronic "Microelectronic") chips as prepared in [semiconductor device fabrication](/wiki/Semiconductor_device_fabrication "Semiconductor device fabrication") from [silicon wafers](/wiki/Wafer_(electronics) "Wafer (electronics)") may be performed by the so-called stealth dicing process, which operates with a pulsed [Nd:YAG laser](/wiki/Nd:YAG_laser "Nd:YAG laser"), the wavelength of which (1064 nm) is well adapted to the electronic [band gap](/wiki/Band_gap "Band gap") of [silicon](/wiki/Silicon "Silicon") (1.11 [eV](/wiki/Electronvolt "Electronvolt") or 1117 nm).

### Reactive cutting

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Laser_cutting&action=edit&section=9 "Edit section: Reactive cutting")\]

Reactive cutting is also called "burning stabilized laser gas cutting" and "flame cutting". Reactive cutting is like oxygen torch cutting but with a laser beam as the ignition source. Mostly used for cutting carbon steel in thicknesses over 1 mm. This process can be used to cut very thick steel plates with relatively little laser power.

## Tolerances and surface finish

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Laser_cutting&action=edit&section=10 "Edit section: Tolerances and surface finish")\]

Laser cutters have a positioning accuracy of 10 micrometers and repeatability of 5 micrometers.\[ _[citation needed](/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed "Wikipedia:Citation needed")_\]

Standard [roughness](/wiki/Surface_roughness "Surface roughness") Rz increases with the sheet thickness, but decreases with laser power and [cutting speed](/wiki/Cutting_speed "Cutting speed"). When cutting low carbon steel with laser power of 800 W, standard roughness Rz is 10 μm for sheet thickness of 1 mm, 20 μm for 3 mm, and 25 μm for 6 mm.

Rz=12.528⋅S0.542P0.528⋅V0.322{\\displaystyle Rz={\\frac {12.528\\cdot S^{0.542}}{P^{0.528}\\cdot V^{0.322}}}}![{\displaystyle Rz={\frac {12.528\cdot S^{0.542}}{P^{0.528}\cdot V^{0.322}}}}](https://wikimedia.org/api/rest_v1/media/math/render/svg/370ab2c05147f4e7a63a358518f92d2a310ddcda)

Where: S={\\displaystyle S=}![{\displaystyle S=}](https://wikimedia.org/api/rest_v1/media/math/render/svg/7cc88ca7e9ccc189fd2091b0a553758e250998d0) steel sheet thickness in mm; P={\\displaystyle P=}![{\displaystyle P=}](https://wikimedia.org/api/rest_v1/media/math/render/svg/a4db3adef01611d5cea6a0961ec02a8f1f867a15) laser power in kW (some new laser cutters have laser power of 4 kW); V={\\displaystyle V=}![{\displaystyle V=}](https://wikimedia.org/api/rest_v1/media/math/render/svg/d8af5bb3e96708a768e3558e74ffc41d1f322486) cutting speed in meters per minute.[\[15\]](#cite_note-15)

This process is capable of holding quite close [tolerances](/wiki/Engineering_tolerance "Engineering tolerance"), often to within 0.001 inch (0.025 mm). Part geometry and the mechanical soundness of the machine have much to do with tolerance capabilities. The typical surface finish resulting from laser beam cutting may range from 125 to 250 micro-inches (0.003 mm to 0.006 mm).[\[12\]](#cite_note-Todd,_p._186-12)

## Machine configurations

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Laser_cutting&action=edit&section=11 "Edit section: Machine configurations")\]

[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f2/Dual_Pallet_Flying_Optics_Laser.jpg/220px-Dual_Pallet_Flying_Optics_Laser.jpg)](/wiki/File:Dual_Pallet_Flying_Optics_Laser.jpg) Dual-pallet flying optics laser[![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/Industrial_4kW_laser_with_flying_optics_system.jpg/220px-Industrial_4kW_laser_with_flying_optics_system.jpg)](/wiki/File:Industrial_4kW_laser_with_flying_optics_system.jpg) Flying optics laser head

There are generally three different configurations of industrial laser cutting machines: moving material, hybrid, and flying optics systems. These refer to the way that the laser beam is moved over the material to be cut or processed. For all of these, the axes of motion are typically designated X and Y [axis](/wiki/Coordinate_axis "Coordinate axis"). If the cutting head may be controlled, it is designated as the Z-axis.

Moving material lasers have a stationary cutting head and move the material under it. This method provides a constant distance from the laser generator to the workpiece and a single point from which to remove cutting effluent. It requires fewer optics but requires moving the workpiece. This style of machine tends to have the fewest beam delivery optics but also tends to be the slowest.

Hybrid lasers provide a table that moves in one axis (usually the X-axis) and moves the head along the shorter (Y) axis. This results in a more constant beam delivery path length than a flying optic machine and may permit a simpler beam delivery system. This can result in reduced power loss in the delivery system and more capacity per watt than flying optics machines.

Flying optics lasers feature a stationary table and a cutting head (with a laser beam) that moves over the workpiece in both of the horizontal dimensions. Flying optics cutters keep the workpiece stationary during processing and often do not require material clamping. The moving mass is constant, so dynamics are not affected by varying the size of the workpiece. Flying optics machines are the fastest type, which is advantageous when cutting thinner workpieces.[\[16\]](#cite_note-16)

Flying optic machines must use some method to take into account the changing beam length from the near field (close to the resonator) cutting to the far field (far away from the resonator) cutting. Common methods for controlling this include collimation, adaptive optics, or the use of a constant beam length axis.

[Five and six-axis machines](/wiki/Multiaxis_machining "Multiaxis machining") also permit cutting formed workpieces. In addition, there are various methods of orienting the laser beam to a shaped workpiece, maintaining a proper focus distance and nozzle standoff.

### Pulsing

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Laser_cutting&action=edit&section=12 "Edit section: Pulsing")\]

[Pulsed lasers](/wiki/Pulsed_lasers "Pulsed lasers") which provide a high-power burst of energy for a short period are very effective in some laser cutting processes, particularly for piercing, or when very small holes or very low cutting speeds are required, since if a constant laser beam were used, the heat could reach the point of melting the whole piece being cut.

Most industrial lasers have the ability to pulse or cut CW (continuous wave) under NC ( [numerical control](/wiki/Numerical_control "Numerical control")) program control.

Double pulse lasers use a series of pulse pairs to improve [material removal rate](/wiki/Material_removal_rate "Material removal rate") and hole quality. Essentially, the first pulse removes material from the surface and the second prevents the ejecta from adhering to the side of the hole or cut.[\[17\]](#cite_note-17)

## Power consumption

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Laser_cutting&action=edit&section=13 "Edit section: Power consumption")\]

The main disadvantage of laser cutting is the high power consumption. Industrial laser efficiency may range from 5% to 45%.[\[18\]](#cite_note-18) The power consumption and efficiency of any particular laser will vary depending on output power and operating parameters. This will depend on the type of laser and how well the laser is matched to the work at hand. The amount of laser cutting power required, known as _heat input_, for a particular job depends on the material type, thickness, process (reactive/inert) used, and desired cutting rate.

Amount of heat input required for various materials at various thicknesses using a CO2 laser \[watts\][\[19\]](#cite_note-19)Material
Material thickness
0.51 mm
1.0 mm
2.0 mm
3.2 mm
6.4 mm
Stainless steel
1000
1000
1000
1500
2500
Aluminium
1000
1000
1000
3800
10000
Mild steel
−
400
−
500
−
Titanium
250
210
210
−
−
Plywood
−
−
−
−
650
Boron/epoxy
−
−
−
3000
−

## Production and cutting rates

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Laser_cutting&action=edit&section=14 "Edit section: Production and cutting rates")\]

The maximum cutting rate (production rate) is limited by a number of factors including laser power, material thickness, process type (reactive or inert), and material properties. Common industrial systems (≥1 kW) will cut carbon steel metal from 0.51 – 13 mm in thickness. For many purposes, a laser can be up to thirty times faster than standard sawing.[\[20\]](#cite_note-20)

Cutting rates using a CO2 laser \[cm/second\]
Workpiece material
Material thickness
0.51 mm
1.0 mm
2.0 mm
3.2 mm
6.4 mm
13 mm
Stainless steel
42.3
23.28
13.76
7.83
3.4
0.76
Aluminium
33.87
14.82
6.35
4.23
1.69
1.27
Mild steel
−
8.89
7.83
6.35
4.23
2.1
Titanium
12.7
12.7
4.23
3.4
2.5
1.7
Plywood
−
−
−
−
7.62
1.9
Boron / epoxy
−
−
−
2.5
2.5
1.1

## See also

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Laser_cutting&action=edit&section=15 "Edit section: See also")\]

- [Craft](/wiki/Craft "Craft")
- [3D printing](/wiki/3D_printing "3D printing")
- [Drilling](/wiki/Drilling "Drilling")
- [Laser ablation](/wiki/Laser_ablation "Laser ablation")
- [Laser beam machining](/wiki/Laser_beam_machining "Laser beam machining")
- [Laser beam quality](/wiki/Laser_beam_quality "Laser beam quality")
- [Laser converting](/wiki/Laser_converting "Laser converting")
- [Laser drilling](/wiki/Laser_drilling "Laser drilling")
- [Laser engraving](/wiki/Laser_engraving "Laser engraving")
- [List of laser articles](/wiki/List_of_laser_articles "List of laser articles")
- [Mirror galvanometer](/wiki/Mirror_galvanometer "Mirror galvanometer")
- [Water jet cutter](/wiki/Water_jet_cutter "Water jet cutter")

## References

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Laser_cutting&action=edit&section=16 "Edit section: References")\]

01. **[^](#cite_ref-1)**Oberg, p. 1447.
02. **[^](#cite_ref-2)**Thomas, Daniel J. (2013-02-01). ["The effect of laser cutting parameters on the formability of complex phase steel"](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00170-012-4087-2). _The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology_. **64** (9): 1297–1311. [doi](/wiki/Doi_(identifier) "Doi (identifier)"): [10.1007/s00170-012-4087-2](https://doi.org/10.1007%2Fs00170-012-4087-2). [ISSN](/wiki/ISSN_(identifier) "ISSN (identifier)") [1433-3015](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1433-3015). [S2CID](/wiki/S2CID_(identifier) "S2CID (identifier)") [96472642](https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:96472642).
03. **[^](#cite_ref-3)**[Bromberg 1991](#CITEREFBromberg1991), p. 202
04. **[^](#cite_ref-4)**The early days of laser cutting, par P. A. Hilton, 11th Nordic Conference in Laser Processing of Materials, Lappeenranta, Finland, August 20–22, 2007, [http://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/published-papers/the-early-days-of-laser-cutting-august-2007](http://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/published-papers/the-early-days-of-laser-cutting-august-2007)
05. **[^](#cite_ref-5)**CHEO, P. K. "Chapter 2: CO2 Lasers." UC Berkeley. UC Berkeley, n.d. Web. 14 Jan. 2015.
06. **[^](#cite_ref-6)**Todd, p. 185.
07. **[^](#cite_ref-7)**Todd, p. 188.
08. **[^](#cite_ref-8)**["Chittak Laser Cutting Machine"](https://chittak-laser.com/product-category/laser-metal-cutting-machine/). Retrieved 12 October 2023.
09. **[^](#cite_ref-9)**["Laser Cutting - Cutting Processes"](https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/job-knowledge/cutting-processes-laser-cutting-052.aspx). _www.twi-global.com_. Retrieved 2020-09-14.
10. **[^](#cite_ref-Laser_cutting_for_metals_10-0)**Daniel Tuấn, Hoàng (7 October 2020). ["Gia công cắt laser trên kim loại với nhiều ưu điểm vượt trội"](https://vietducmetal.vn/gia-cong-cat-laser-tren-kim-loai-voi-nhieu-uu-diem-vuot-troi/) \[Laser cutting for metals with many outstanding advantages\]. _vietducmetal.vn_ (in Vietnamese). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201104081701/https://vietducmetal.vn/gia-cong-cat-laser-tren-kim-loai-voi-nhieu-uu-diem-vuot-troi/) from the original on 4 November 2020. Retrieved 4 November 2020.
11. **[^](#cite_ref-11)**Happonen, A.; Stepanov, A.; Piili, H.; Salminen, A. (2015-01-01). ["Innovation Study for Laser Cutting of Complex Geometries with Paper Materials"](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.phpro.2015.11.025). _Physics Procedia_. 15th Nordic Laser Materials Processing Conference, Nolamp 15. **78**: 128–137. [Bibcode](/wiki/Bibcode_(identifier) "Bibcode (identifier)"): [2015PhPro..78..128H](https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2015PhPro..78..128H). [doi](/wiki/Doi_(identifier) "Doi (identifier)"):[10.1016/j.phpro.2015.11.025](https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.phpro.2015.11.025). [ISSN](/wiki/ISSN_(identifier) "ISSN (identifier)") [1875-3892](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1875-3892).
12. ^ [_**a**_](#cite_ref-Todd,_p._186_12-0) [_**b**_](#cite_ref-Todd,_p._186_12-1)Todd, p. 186.
13. **[^](#cite_ref-SPIE_13-0)**Perrottet, D et al.,"Heat damage-free Laser-Microjet cutting achieves highest die fracture strength", _Photon Processing in Microelectronics and Photonics IV_, edited by J. Fieret, et al., Proc. SPIE Vol. 5713 (SPIE, Bellingham, WA, 2005)
14. **[^](#cite_ref-14)**Fisher, Adam. ["Fibre Lasers"](https://www.ctrlasers.co.uk/fibre-lasers). CTR Lasers.
15. **[^](#cite_ref-15)**["Research on surface roughness by laser cut by Miroslav Radovanovic and Predrag Dašić"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303190350/http://www.om.ugal.ro/AnnalsFasc8Tribology/pdf/2006/13-Annals2006-Radovanovic.pdf)(PDF). Archived from [the original](http://www.om.ugal.ro/AnnalsFasc8Tribology/pdf/2006/13-Annals2006-Radovanovic.pdf)(PDF) on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2010-03-10.
16. **[^](#cite_ref-16)**Caristan, Charles L. (2004). [_Laser Cutting Guide for Manufacturing_](https://books.google.com/books?id=pRah71xUxbMC&pg=PA38). Society of Manufacturing Engineers. [ISBN](/wiki/ISBN_(identifier) "ISBN (identifier)") [9780872636866](/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780872636866 "Special:BookSources/9780872636866").
17. **[^](#cite_ref-17)**Forsman, A; et al. (June 2007). ["Superpulse A nanosecond pulse format to improve laser drilling"](//fusion.gat.com/pubs-ext/miscpubs/A25867.pdf)(PDF). Photonics Spectra. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
18. **[^](#cite_ref-18)**[http://www.laserline.de/tl\_files/Laserline/downloads/broschueren/en/Laserline\_Image\_high\_power\_diode\_laser.pdf](http://www.laserline.de/tl_files/Laserline/downloads/broschueren/en/Laserline_Image_high_power_diode_laser.pdf) \- Page 4:"High electrical/optical efficiency of up to 45%"
19. **[^](#cite_ref-19)**[Todd, Allen & Alting 1994](#CITEREFToddAllenAlting1994), p. 188.
20. **[^](#cite_ref-20)**["Laser Cutting"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180428185057/http://www.laserage.com/laser-cutting/). _Laserage_. Archived from [the original](http://www.laserage.com/laser-cutting/) on 2018-04-28. Retrieved 2016-08-23.

## Bibliography

\[ [edit](/w/index.php?title=Laser_cutting&action=edit&section=17 "Edit section: Bibliography")\]

- Bromberg, Joan (1991). [_The Laser in America, 1950-1970_](https://books.google.com/books?id=P6Ta1MPiOM8C&pg=RA1-PA202). MIT Press. p. 202. [ISBN](/wiki/ISBN_(identifier) "ISBN (identifier)") [978-0-262-02318-4](/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-262-02318-4 "Special:BookSources/978-0-262-02318-4").
- Oberg, Erik; Jones, Franklin D.; Horton, Holbrook L.; Ryffel, Henry H. (2004). _Machinery's Handbook_ (27th ed.). New York, NY: Industrial Press Inc. [ISBN](/wiki/ISBN_(identifier) "ISBN (identifier)") [978-0-8311-2700-8](/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-8311-2700-8 "Special:BookSources/978-0-8311-2700-8").
- Todd, Robert H.; Allen, Dell K.; Alting, Leo (1994). [_Manufacturing Processes Reference Guide_](https://books.google.com/books?id=6x1smAf_PAcC). Industrial Press Inc. [ISBN](/wiki/ISBN_(identifier) "ISBN (identifier)") [0-8311-3049-0](/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-8311-3049-0 "Special:BookSources/0-8311-3049-0").

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[Metalworking](/wiki/Metalworking "Metalworking")

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[Metalworking tools](/wiki/Category:Metalworking_tools "Category:Metalworking tools")

[Cutting machines](/wiki/Category:Cutting_machines "Category:Cutting machines")

- [Bandsaw](/wiki/Bandsaw "Bandsaw")
- [Cold saw](/wiki/Cold_saw "Cold saw")
- Laser
- [Miter saw](/wiki/Miter_saw "Miter saw")
- [Plasma](/wiki/Plasma_cutting "Plasma cutting")
- [Water jet cutter](/wiki/Water_jet_cutter "Water jet cutter")

[Cutting tools](/wiki/Category:Metalworking_cutting_tools "Category:Metalworking cutting tools")

- [Broach](/wiki/Broaching_(metalworking) "Broaching (metalworking)")
- [Burr](/wiki/Burr_(cutter) "Burr (cutter)")
- [Chisel](/wiki/Chisel "Chisel")
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- [Tool bit](/wiki/Tool_bit "Tool bit")

Forming tools

- [Brake](/wiki/Brake_(sheet_metal_bending) "Brake (sheet metal bending)")
- [Die](/wiki/Die_(manufacturing) "Die (manufacturing)")
- [English wheel](/wiki/English_wheel "English wheel")
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- [Machine press](/wiki/Machine_press "Machine press")
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- [Screw press](/wiki/Screw_press "Screw press")
- [Stamping press](/wiki/Stamping_press "Stamping press")

[Hand tools](/wiki/Metalworking_hand_tool "Metalworking hand tool")

- [Clamp](/wiki/Clamp_(tool) "Clamp (tool)")
- [Combination square](/wiki/Combination_square "Combination square")
- [Drift pin](/wiki/Drift_pin "Drift pin")
- [Hacksaw](/wiki/Hacksaw "Hacksaw")
- [Hammer](/wiki/Hammer "Hammer")
- [Hand scraper](/wiki/Hand_scraper "Hand scraper")
- [Machinist square](/wiki/Machinist_square "Machinist square")
- [Needlegun scaler](/wiki/Needlegun_scaler "Needlegun scaler")
- [Piercing saw](/wiki/Piercing_saw "Piercing saw")
- [Pliers](/wiki/Pliers "Pliers")
- [Punch](/wiki/Punch_(tool) "Punch (tool)")
- [Scriber](/wiki/Scriber "Scriber")
- [Tap and die](/wiki/Tap_and_die "Tap and die")
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- [Workbench](/wiki/Workbench "Workbench")
- [Wrench](/wiki/Wrench "Wrench")

[Machine tooling](/wiki/Machine_tool "Machine tool")

- [Angle plate](/wiki/Angle_plate "Angle plate")
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- [Lathe center](/wiki/Lathe_center "Lathe center")
- [Machine taper](/wiki/Machine_taper "Machine taper")
- [Magnetic switchable device](/wiki/Magnetic_switchable_device "Magnetic switchable device")
- [Mandrel](/wiki/Mandrel "Mandrel")
- [Rotary table](/wiki/Rotary_table "Rotary table")
- [Wiggler](/wiki/Wiggler_(tool) "Wiggler (tool)")

[Measuring instruments](/wiki/Category:Metalworking_measuring_instruments "Category:Metalworking measuring instruments")

- [Bore gauge](/wiki/Bore_gauge "Bore gauge")
- [Caliper](/wiki/Calipers "Calipers")
- [Center gauge](/wiki/Center_gauge "Center gauge")
- [Dial indicator](/wiki/Indicator_(distance_amplifying_instrument) "Indicator (distance amplifying instrument)")
- [Engineer's blue](/wiki/Engineer%27s_blue "Engineer's blue")
- [Engineer's spirit level](/wiki/Engineer%27s_spirit_level "Engineer's spirit level")
- [Feeler gauge](/wiki/Feeler_gauge "Feeler gauge")
- [Gauge](/wiki/Gauge_(instrument) "Gauge (instrument)")
- [Gauge block](/wiki/Gauge_block "Gauge block")
- [Go/no go gauge](/wiki/Go/no_go_gauge "Go/no go gauge")
- [Height gauge](/wiki/Height_gauge "Height gauge")
- [Machinist square](/wiki/Machinist_square "Machinist square")
- [Marking blue](/wiki/Marking_blue "Marking blue")
- [Marking gauge](/wiki/Marking_gauge "Marking gauge")
- [Marking out](/wiki/Marking_out "Marking out")
- [Micrometer](/wiki/Micrometer_(device) "Micrometer (device)")
- [Optical comparator](/wiki/Optical_comparator "Optical comparator")
- [Radius gauge](/wiki/Radius_gauge "Radius gauge")
- [Ruler](/wiki/Ruler "Ruler")
- [Sine bar](/wiki/Sine_bar "Sine bar")
- [Straightedge](/wiki/Straightedge "Straightedge")
- [Surface plate](/wiki/Surface_plate "Surface plate")
- [Tape measure](/wiki/Tape_measure "Tape measure")
- [Thread pitch gauge](/wiki/Thread_pitch_gauge "Thread pitch gauge")
- [Vernier scale](/wiki/Vernier_scale "Vernier scale")

[Smithing tools](/wiki/Metalsmith "Metalsmith")

- [Anvil](/wiki/Anvil "Anvil")
- [Forge](/wiki/Forge "Forge")
- [Fuller](/wiki/Fuller_(metalworking) "Fuller (metalworking)")
- [Hardy tools](/wiki/Hardy_tool "Hardy tool")
- [Pritchel](/wiki/Pritchel "Pritchel")
- [Steam hammer](/wiki/Steam_hammer "Steam hammer")
- [Swage block](/wiki/Swage_block "Swage block")
- [Trip hammer](/wiki/Trip_hammer "Trip hammer")

- [Casting](/wiki/Casting "Casting")
- [Fabrication](/wiki/Metal_fabrication "Metal fabrication")
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- [Tools and terminology](/wiki/Outline_of_metalworking "Outline of metalworking")
- [Welding](/wiki/Welding "Welding")

- [v](/wiki/Template:Lasers "Template:Lasers")
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[Lasers](/wiki/Laser "Laser")

- [List of laser articles](/wiki/List_of_laser_articles "List of laser articles")
- [List of laser types](/wiki/List_of_laser_types "List of laser types")
- [List of laser applications](/wiki/List_of_laser_applications "List of laser applications")
- [Laser acronyms](/wiki/Laser_acronyms "Laser acronyms")

Types of lasers

- [Chemical laser](/wiki/Chemical_laser "Chemical laser")
- [Dye laser](/wiki/Dye_laser "Dye laser")
  - [Bubble](/wiki/Bubble_laser "Bubble laser")
  - [Liquid-crystal](/wiki/Liquid-crystal_laser "Liquid-crystal laser")
- [Gas laser](/wiki/Gas_laser "Gas laser")
  - [Carbon dioxide](/wiki/Carbon_dioxide_laser "Carbon dioxide laser")
  - [Excimer](/wiki/Excimer_laser "Excimer laser")
  - [Helium–neon](/wiki/Helium%E2%80%93neon_laser "Helium–neon laser")
  - [Ion](/wiki/Ion_laser "Ion laser")
  - [Nitrogen](/wiki/Nitrogen_laser "Nitrogen laser")
- [Free-electron laser](/wiki/Free-electron_laser "Free-electron laser")
- [Laser diode](/wiki/Laser_diode "Laser diode")
- [Solid-state laser](/wiki/Solid-state_laser "Solid-state laser")
  - [Er:YAG](/wiki/Er:YAG_laser "Er:YAG laser")
  - [Nd:YAG](/wiki/Nd:YAG_laser "Nd:YAG laser")
  - [Raman](/wiki/Raman_laser "Raman laser")
  - [Ruby](/wiki/Ruby_laser "Ruby laser")
  - [Ti-sapphire](/wiki/Ti-sapphire_laser "Ti-sapphire laser")
- [X-ray laser](/wiki/X-ray_laser "X-ray laser")

[Laser physics](/wiki/Laser_science "Laser science")

- [Active laser medium](/wiki/Active_laser_medium "Active laser medium")
- [Amplified spontaneous emission](/wiki/Amplified_spontaneous_emission "Amplified spontaneous emission")
- [Continuous wave](/wiki/Continuous_wave "Continuous wave")
- [Laser ablation](/wiki/Laser_ablation "Laser ablation")
- [Laser linewidth](/wiki/Laser_linewidth "Laser linewidth")
- [Lasing threshold](/wiki/Lasing_threshold "Lasing threshold")
- [Population inversion](/wiki/Population_inversion "Population inversion")
- [Ultrashort pulse](/wiki/Ultrashort_pulse_laser "Ultrashort pulse laser")

Laser optics

- [Beam expander](/wiki/Beam_expander "Beam expander")
- [Beam homogenizer](/wiki/Beam_homogenizer "Beam homogenizer")
- [Chirped pulse amplification](/wiki/Chirped_pulse_amplification "Chirped pulse amplification")
- [Gain-switching](/wiki/Gain-switching "Gain-switching")
- [Gaussian beam](/wiki/Gaussian_beam "Gaussian beam")
- [Injection seeder](/wiki/Injection_seeder "Injection seeder")
- [Laser beam profiler](/wiki/Laser_beam_profiler "Laser beam profiler")
- [M squared](/wiki/M_squared "M squared")
- [Mode locking](/wiki/Mode_locking "Mode locking")
- [Multiple-prism grating laser oscillator](/wiki/Multiple-prism_grating_laser_oscillator "Multiple-prism grating laser oscillator")
- [Optical amplifier](/wiki/Optical_amplifier "Optical amplifier")
- [Optical cavity](/wiki/Optical_cavity "Optical cavity")
- [Optical isolator](/wiki/Optical_isolator "Optical isolator")
- [Output coupler](/wiki/Output_coupler "Output coupler")
- [Q-switching](/wiki/Q-switching "Q-switching")

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- This page was last edited on 5 September 2024, at 11:50 (UTC).
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