As the name suggests, a laser cutter is a tool used for precision cutting and design projects in a wide range of applications. The laser cutting system emits an intense beam of light which is reflected through an array of mirrors onto a mirror carriage. While inside the lens carriage, the laser light is focused through the lens and narrowed to an extremely focused beam. The high power laser beam is then projected down and used to cleanly cut or engrave specific design patterns and geometries into the material.
Laser cutters are so fast that they can cut designed parts in just a few minutes and they are rapid prototyping machines; they allow designers to quickly and cost-effectively adapt their designs before mass-producing the product.
Laser cutters are also the perfect multi-purpose tool as they can be used to process and finish different types of designs for production, making anything from cardboard prototypes to metal ornaments. The difference between the different types of laser cutter comes from the type of laser source. The type of laser source determines the properties and thickness of the material it can cut, as different laser types have different power ranges.
The main types of material that can be cut by laser are metal and non-metal cutting. However, they depend on two different laser sources. CO2 lasers and fiber lasers. These two laser sources, the CO2 laser, and the fiber laser handle different materials and thicknesses when processing laser cutting.
The use of CO² gas as a gain medium in the laser system is characteristic of CO2 lasers, which produce a beam of infrared light with the main wavelength bands concentrated at 9.6 and 10.6 microns (μm). They are the most common type of CO2 laser cutter as they are low power, relatively inexpensive, efficient, and can be used to cut a wide range of material types. Low-power lasers are used to cut a variety of thinner, potentially flammable materials such as paper and wood, while high power lasers can cut thicker plastics such as 25 mm acrylics, cf. Wikipedia. Materials: plywood, veneered wood, acrylic, leather, paper/card, EPE foam, plastic/film, and some fabrics.
A fiber laser is formed by a solid fiber optic cable doped with rare earth metals as its gain medium. The wavelength of a fiber laser is 1.06 microns (μm), this smaller wavelength is more suitable for cutting metals in general as more of the beam’s energy is absorbed by the material and less energy is reflected. These fiber lasers have a higher intensity and can therefore cut thicker materials. Materials: gold, silver, copper, brass, and aluminium
Ltd. was founded in 2004, and is a global laser intelligent solution provider integrating R&D, production, sales, and service of laser processing application products. With the mission of “Let laser technology change human life”, Bevi has always been committed to the innovation of laser cutting technology and the sustainable development of the laser cutting industry, establishing an integrated and differentiated laser intelligent industry chain and service system in multiple dimensions, and promoting continuous high growth with technological innovation. Baiwei has always insisted on focusing on the single category of the laser cutter, achieving the full coverage of 1000w to 40000w power band, flagship, performance and economic three series of all-inclusive, launching high-end plate laser cutting machine, large format plate laser cutter, medium and thin plate laser cutting machine, heavy duty tube laser cutter, plate and tube integrated laser cutter and other different models of high-end products
First, you need to determine the purpose of the purchase, the material you want to cut, the thickness of the material to be cut as well as the accuracy of the cut, the output and speed you want to process, and what is your budget. Another is speed, especially if your goal is to produce a large number of products for sale in a limited time, accuracy is also important.
Before you set out to buy a laser cutter to help you, it is important to be clear about what work you will be using it for. Does your job require engraving? Does it need to cut heavy metals? Once this has been determined, your laser cutter product will be added to the shopping cart accordingly.
Laser cutter is widely used in sheet metal processing, aviation, aerospace, electronics, electrical appliances, underground parts, automotive, machinery, precision parts, ships, metallurgical equipment, lifts, household appliances, decoration, advertising, kitchenware manufacturing, chassis electric cabinet metal foreign trade processing various manufacturing and processing industries. Mainly used for cutting low carbon steel, silicon steel, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, titanium alloy, galvanized steel, aluminum, pickled plate, aluminum zinc plate, copper, and many other metal materials. Laser cutter is very suitable for cutting thin plate stainless steel, fast, and high precision, has a good effect and can realize customization and personalized product development, so it is suitable for kitchenware manufacturing, metal cabinet manufacturing, and other industries.
A laser cutter can have different laser cutter sources attached to it for different tasks. Once your job requirements have been defined, it is your turn to figure out which laser source will be the best choice for you. In addition to the sources discussed above, there are a number of other sources including fiber and vanadium-titanium crystal lasers. Each is a champion in their field of expertise.
Remember, if you are going to use this skill to make money, then push your budget as high as you can so that you get the best end product in the quickest time and with the lowest cost of use. It’s vital to consider the cost of replacement parts – you don’t want to find yourself unable to keep the machine running. For any major purchase, it’s important to look at your budget. If you want to bring in a professional result or run a business, then it’s best to choose a high-budget, high-quality machine. Whereas a beginner or hobbyist can opt for an inexpensive laser cutter.
Power usage is a further consideration. Whether you are a professional or not, power is an important factor to consider when looking for a laser cutting machine as it determines the amount of work and accuracy of the machine during the cutting process. If you have to cut denser materials, then your machine should have a high cutting power. It is therefore necessary to choose a laser cutter according to your material.
Speed and quality are important factors. If you want speed, you may need to use a higher power to get a more powerful cutting laser to give you a faster end result. You also need to check the size of the cutting board to make sure it is big enough to fit whatever you are cutting, especially for people running a business. At any given time, it is vital to depend on a machine that has enough speed to complete your task. These factors can ultimately determine the quality of the laser cutter.
There are different models of laser cutters on the market. However, not all machines have the same accuracy. If you need a miniature architectural model, you need a laser cutter that will give your model the highest precision. In contrast, if you can get by with moderate accuracy, then your choice will be different.
The price of an ideal laser cutter can range from $500 to $20,000, or more if it is an industrial laser cutter. The price and cost of a laser cutter fluctuate greatly, depending on the design, type, and power of the laser. Generally speaking, the higher the laser power, the more expensive the laser cutter will be and therefore the better it will be able to cut the material.
Entry-level laser cutter components usually contain relatively weak lasers and are only suitable for light engraving or cutting. Using an underpowered laser to cut thick or hard materials can damage the surface. If you intend to cut thick materials, you will need a higher power laser cutting machine and this costs more. The BW-G series of laser cutters from Bawei Laser is just such a solution, and if you intend to cut metal you will need a much higher wattage than the laser cutter mentioned above. A metal laser cutter can cost anywhere from $8,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars or more, especially those for industrial use, which can be worth a lot of money for their sheer size and super high wattage. If you are considering a metal laser cutter that doesn’t take up much space and can handle customized products, the BW-G3015 fiber laser cutter is the right machine for you.
In addition, cutting larger objects requires a laser cutter with a large work surface, which is also a price-related consideration. For the prolific cutter, it is cost-effective to purchase a high wattage laser cutter. If you don’t know what you intend to cut or want to cut a wide variety of materials, it is best to purchase a high wattage laser cutter. This type of laser cutter is powerful enough to cut and engrave almost anything, and Bevi Laser offers versions of the best laser cutters in a variety of sizes to suit your flexibility needs.