Laser Cutting is a process of finely cutting materials with a laser according to a CAD file. It is a manufacturing method that uses a fine and powerful laser to cut through materials of various densities. While generally used for industrial manufacturing purposes, laser cutting has now become popularly used by schools, small businesses and hobbyists.
Outcome
Uses
Create models for architectural and prototyping purposes.
Produce metal engravings / wood engraving / glass etching (i.e. awards. signs).
Cut pieces of instruments that need to be finely crafted.
Create packaging designs and customizations.
Fashion industry - designing costumes, apparel and accessories.
Process:
Laser cutting works by directing the output of a high-power laser through optics.
Electrical discharges stimulate laser cutting through material.
Beam reflected internally until it has sufficient energy to escape as monochromatic light.
Beam usually around ⅓ nanometer in diameter.
Vector Cuts: used for cutting completely through material and Raster Cuts: used for engraving. Combinations of Vector and Raster cuts used for etching through certain depths of material.
Advantages:
No cutting edge -- laser never gets contaminated and can never contaminate the material that it’s cutting
Precision
Less warping since laser has a small area exposed to high heat
Less energy intensive in comparison to plasma cutting
Melt & Blow: Used for metals. Uses high pressure gas to blow molten material away from cutting area.
Thermal Stress Cracking: Used for brittle materials such as glass. Thermal expansion caused by heating → cracks in material are guided by the laser beam.
Reactive Cutting: Used for thick steel plates and carbon steel. Uses laser beam as ignition source, and uses a flame for cutting.
Precision
Less warping since laser has a small area exposed to high heat
Less energy intensive in comparison to plasma cutting
Different Methods:
Vaporization Cutting: Generally used for wood, carbon, and plastics. Heat the surface to generate a keyhole → continue cutting in direction/pattern of choiceMelt & Blow: Used for metals. Uses high pressure gas to blow molten material away from cutting area.
Thermal Stress Cracking: Used for brittle materials such as glass. Thermal expansion caused by heating → cracks in material are guided by the laser beam.
Reactive Cutting: Used for thick steel plates and carbon steel. Uses laser beam as ignition source, and uses a flame for cutting.
Limitations:
Difficulty cutting reflective materials as they reflect the laser beam.
Poorly focused beam can burn material.
Equipment requires large air filtration systems.
Equipment can be expensive.
Places on Campus (Accessibility)
Art Fab
Access by: making a reservation through website and make sure to have in Rhino or Illustrator format and your materials to be cut.
Mech-E Machine Shop
Be of Meche standing and trained to use the machine shop by having taken the course to do so.
Morewood Gardens Maker Space
Go through safety training by supervisor to have access to use machines.
Robotics Club
Be a dues paying member of the club. Complete training course.
Computational Design Lab
iDeate Lab (Hunt)
Pay a membership fee or be enrolled in ideate classes.
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