How Does The CO2 Laser Cutting Machine Work?

Lasers are capable of cutting a wide variety of materials precisely and efficiently in the industry. CO2 laser cutting machine has become one of the most popular laser cutting machines due to its fast cutting speed, high precision, and superior cutting ability. The CO2 laser cutting machine uses a mixture of carbon dioxide, helium, and hydrogen to generate a laser beam, which can cut and engrave a variety of non-metallic materials.
If you are a novice in the field of laser cutting and want to know more about CO2 laser-cutting machines, please read this article carefully. We will introduce how CO2 laser-cutting machines work for you. Including its working principle, working steps, application, and precautions when purchasing a CO2 laser cutting machine.

What is a CO2 laser-cutting machine

A CO2 laser cutting machine is a laser cutting system that utilizes a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser to precisely cut a variety of materials. The machine is designed to focus a powerful laser beam onto the surface of a material, causing it to locally heat, vaporize or melt. The CO2 laser cutting process can cut a wide variety of materials precisely and cleanly.
CO2 laser cutting machines are capable of cutting a variety of non-metallic materials, including acrylic, wood, fabric, leather, and plastic. The intensity and high precision of the laser allow for intricate cut designs with smooth edges and minimal material waste. It can also cut certain types of metals but may be limited in speed and cut thickness compared to fiber laser cutting machines.
Capable of complex and detailed cuts, CO2 laser cutters are ideal for a variety of applications including signage, automotive, aerospace, electronics, textiles, and more. It provides cost-effective and versatile solutions for material processing and fabrication, making it a valuable asset in modern manufacturing processes.

What is the working principle of a CO2 laser-cutting machine?

A CO2 laser cutting machine is a laser cutting device that utilizes a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser to precisely cut materials. How the laser beam is generated in a resonator in the machine is directed by a series of sperm to the cutting head where it is focused into a small but intense spot of light.
Here is a step-by-step explanation of how a CO2 laser-cutting machine works:

Laser generation: The laser beam will be generated in the laser resonator. The resonator contains a gas mixture mainly composed of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and helium. Applying a high-voltage discharge to the gas mixture excites the carbon dioxide molecules and lifts them to a higher energy state.
Laser amplification: Excited carbon dioxide molecules release photons as they return to a lower energy state. These photons bounce back and forth between two mirrors at either end of the laser resonator, causing them to multiply and amplify. This produces a focused and coherent laser beam.
Optical Delivery: The amplified laser light is then guided and focused into a precise and focused beam by a series of mirrors and lenses. The optical delivery system ensures that the laser beam remains collimated (parallel) and focused to a small spot size, resulting in high power density at the cutting point.
Material interaction: The focused CO2 laser beam needs to be guided to the material to be cut. When the laser beam hits the surface of the material, it heats it to high temperatures. The focused laser beam is powerful enough to melt, vaporize, or burn through the material, creating narrow cuts with high precision.
Material removal: When the material absorbs laser energy, it undergoes vaporization or sublimation (direct conversion from solid to gas), forming narrow and well-defined cuts. The cutting process is often assisted by high-pressure gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, or air, which blow away molten material and help keep the cutting area clean. In addition, auxiliary gas will also participate in the cutting process to achieve the purpose of enhancing cutting ability or reducing oxidation.
CNC control: The movement of the laser cutting machine is controlled by a computer numerical control (CNC) system. The CNC system precisely controls the movement of the laser head and the positioning of the material to achieve the desired cutting pattern and shape. Cutting parameters such as laser power, cutting speed, and auxiliary gas pressure are also controlled by the CNC system.

CO2 laser cutting machines are widely used in various industries to cut materials such as acrylic, wood, paper, fabric, plastic, and certain metals. The versatility and accuracy of CO2 laser cutting make it a popular choice for many manufacturing and manufacturing applications. However, safety guidelines and proper maintenance must be followed to ensure efficient and safe operation.

How does the CO2 laser cutting machine work?

Modern CO2 laser cutting machines use CNC systems, which can ensure the cutting effect of the machine while ensuring the automation of the equipment. Scientific working steps are an important factor in determining the quality of CO2 laser cutting. The following involves several basic steps for a CO2 laser cutting machine to perform the cutting.

Security Preparation

Read and understand the machine’s owner’s manual and safety guidelines before operating, and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as safety glasses and gloves. Keep the work area well-ventilated and clean to prevent smoke buildup and avoid potential fire hazards. Make sure the machine is connected to a reliable power source, that it is in good working order, and that all safety features are functioning properly.

Material preparation

Before starting to operate the CO2 laser cutting machine, preparatory work is required. This includes checking the working condition and safety of the equipment, making sure the cooling system is functioning properly, and the CO2 laser generator is in the correct working mode, and checking the size and position of the cut material. Place the material to be cut in the working area of the cutting machine. Make sure the material is securely fastened to prevent movement or vibration during cutting.

Set optimal parameters

CO2 laser cutting machines can be used to cut various materials such as wood, plastic, etc. According to the type of cutting material, thickness, and desired cutting quality, set the appropriate cutting parameters. These parameters include laser power, laser pulse frequency, motion speed, focal length, etc. Beyond that, physical limitations should also be considered, such as CO2 laser cutting polypropylene, which produces clean cuts with a good surface finish, but excess heat generated in the material can cause the workpiece to melt and deform, destroying the entire cut. Therefore, determining the best combination of parameters helps to achieve the desired cutting effect.

Positioning and Alignment

Use the positioning and alignment system on the cutting machine to precisely position the laser beam at the starting point of the cut. This can be done with infrared or laser pointers. Ensure that the position and direction of the laser beam are perfectly aligned with the desired cutting path for precise and fast cutting. Complex cutting patterns increase the localization of heat in small areas, leading to unnecessary melting of the material. Positioning and alignment ensure the structural integrity of the design and prevent the workpiece from deforming/shattering under its weight after cutting.

Trial cutting

Before cutting the final design, it is recommended to test cut a small area of the material to verify the settings and make adjustments if necessary. This helps ensure the desired cut quality and prevents any potential damage to the material.

Execute Cut

Start the CO2 laser cutting machine and start the cutting process. The laser generator produces a high-energy CO2 laser beam, which is focused by an optical system, and then concentrates the energy on the cutting area. The laser beam moves within the cutting area and cuts along a predetermined path. At the same time, auxiliary gas (such as nitrogen or oxygen) is injected into the cutting area through the nozzle to cool the material and remove the molten material.

Control and Monitoring

Although CO2 laser cutting is an automated cutting process, it is highly recommended that you monitor the cutting process to avoid accidents. During the entire cutting process, the operation and cutting quality of the cutting machine need to be closely monitored. The control system can adjust the cutting parameters in real-time to ensure the cutting quality as expected. At the same time, the monitoring system can detect parameters such as laser power, movement speed, and cutting depth to ensure the accuracy and safety of the operation. Be prepared to pause or stop the machine immediately if any anomalies or safety concerns arise.

Subsequent processing

After the cutting operation is complete, switch off the laser and allow the machine to cool down. Carefully remove the cut piece from the cutting table, taking precautions to avoid burns or injuries from sharp edges. Also, cleaning of the cutting bed and surrounding area is required to keep it clean and prevent any debris from interfering with future cuts.

What applications are CO2 laser cutting machines suitable for

The use of CO2 laser generators depends on the field of performance. Generally speaking, CO2 laser cutting machines are especially suitable for cutting non-metallic materials, such as wood, cloth, leather, paper, plastic, glass, etc., so they are widely used in various industries and application fields. Although CO2 laser generators can also cut and process some metal materials, the cutting effect is poorer than that of fiber lasers, and it is only suitable for very thin metals. Here are some common applications where CO2 laser cutting machines are suitable:

Electronics industry

CO2 laser cutting machines are often used in the electronics industry for cutting circuit boards, semiconductor devices, and electronic components. It enables fine cuts without mechanical or thermal stress on the material, ensuring the quality and precision of the cut parts.

Wood processing

CO2 laser cutting machines are also suitable for the wood processing industry. It can realize cutting and engraving of wood by adjusting laser power and scanning speed. This is widely used in fields such as furniture manufacturing, handicraft making, and architectural decoration.

Cloth and Textiles

CO2 laser cutting machines are also very suitable for cutting cloth and textiles. The laser beam can be precisely controlled and cut without contact, so the CO2 laser cutting machine can achieve high-precision cutting without damaging the fabric fibers.

Leather processing

The CO2 laser cutting machine can cut, perforate and engrave the leather with a laser beam to achieve various complex patterns and designs. Provides higher edge quality without any adjustments. This is useful in areas such as shoe manufacturing, bag making, and furniture decoration.

Advertising production

CO2 laser cutting machine can also be used for laser cutting various advertising materials, such as acrylic board, PVC board, wood, etc. By adjusting the power and frequency of the laser, the surface of the material can be engraved to create various detailed patterns and characters. This allows for the creation of advertising signs and decorations of various shapes and complexities.

Medical field

CO2 laser cutting machines are used in the medical field for cutting and engraving medical devices and devices. It can achieve fine cuts without direct contact with the material surface, thereby reducing the risk of cross-infection. CO2 laser-cutting machines can also be used in medical applications such as skin reshaping and laser surgery.

Things to consider when buying a CO2 laser cutting machine

CO2 laser cutting machines are very popular in non-metal material cutting and engraving workshops. A qualified CO2 laser cutting machine has high efficiency, good precision, and wide application, which is a sharp tool for profit. Although CO2 laser cutting machines also have disadvantages, such as low photoelectric conversion rate, high energy consumption, and high operating costs, their advantages far outweigh their disadvantages. It’s well worth investing in a piece of equipment to grow your cutting business.
If you are not sure what materials or products a particular CO2 laser cutting machine model can cut, please contact us. The AccTek Laser team will be happy to answer your questions or suggestions regarding the purchase of a CO2 laser-cutting machine. With the continuous development of science and technology, the performance and application fields of CO2 laser-cutting machines will continue to expand. We can expect it to provide more innovations and solutions for more industries in the future and promote the further development of modern manufacturing.

Clear processing goals

This includes the materials you plan to cut or engrave and the size and thickness of those materials. It can help you determine the machine size and power of the CO2 laser-cutting machine you need. CO2 laser engraving machine is good at cutting and engraving non-metallic materials with thicknesses in the range of 0-25mm.

Laser power and speed

The power of a CO2 laser generator determines its ability to cut different materials. CO2 laser generators with rated power around 40W – 100W can cut and engrave various non-metals. In general, higher-powered laser generators can cut material faster than relatively lower-powered lasers. As laser power increases, so does the laser’s ability to cut thicker, denser materials at faster speeds. In addition, laser speed is also affected by the thickness of the material being cut.

Price

When you get the quotation, you need to pay attention to the specific configuration of the CO2 laser cutting machine. When considering the price of the machine, don’t be tempted by the low price blindly, there may be some poor quality parts in the low-price machine. It is not recommended to choose only based on the price of the CO2 laser cutting machine, inferior parts may lead to higher maintenance costs in later use.

Configuration and accessories

If you want to engrave or cut on any other surface than normal sheet metal, you may need to rotate your equipment. Equipped with a rotating device, the CO2 laser cutting machine can easily engrave cylindrical workpieces. Or when cutting glass, equip the CO2 laser cutting machine with a protective cover, which can protect the operator from injury.

Choose the right manufacturer

There are many CO2 laser-cutting machine manufacturers in the market. Before choosing to buy equipment, it is necessary to take the time to do some research on the manufacturer, such as the professional level, production capacity, delivery capacity, service level, and other aspects of the CNC laser cutting machine manufacturer. Before signing the contract, clarify the rights and obligations of both parties, which is conducive to safeguarding the rights and interests of both parties.

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