A lasers light waves travel in one direction only, compared to the light waves from household light bulb which spread out in all directions. The unidirectional, laser beam can be focused into a spot only 0.005 inches in diameter (about the size of a human hair) with an energy density of mega-wattskquare inch. When this tiny, high-energy beam strikes a surface, the material is vaporized almost immediately, resulting in a clean, sharp cut.
Laser Cutting Systems
The laser device consists of:
- The laser
- beam-focusing optics
- equipment for moving either the laser beam or the workpiece
- computer to control the beam or workpiece motion
- a heat exchanger to cool the laser and the optical components,
- gas delivery systems, and an
- exhaust system for lemaving vaporized material.
While programming can be done at the control computer, it is more efficient to have an off-line CAD/CAM system for designing parts and preparing part programs. This is especially true for shops producing small lots of many different parts, where the control program must be changed frequently