CO2 Laser Cutting
All sorts of materials are altered by CO2 lasers, including plastic, wood, foam, aluminum, sandpaper, acrylic, velvet, Styrofoam, polyester, cardboard, ceramic and paper.
Industrial welding and
cutting of metals is often done by a carbon dioxide laser treatment. Unlike most machining techniques, CO2 lasers are even able to be used on human skin. In the medical field, surgical procedures like facelifts and dermabrasion are done by CO2 lasers. Cutting and engraving machines,
laser marking systems and laser processing tools all use automated CO2 laser systems to mark or cut products and materials. The chemical responses elicited from the carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen and helium that makes up this active laser discharge is what slices so cleanly through tough materials. Developed in nineteen sixty four, it is one of the earliest gas lasers as well as remaining one of the most widely used. Another notable gas laser similar to the CO2 is the excimer laser, although it does not use heat to slice through material. Rather, the chemical reactions it harnesses cannot be absorbed by the material, so the initial layers begin to breakdown instead. However, excimer lasers are mostly popular amongst
micromachining, whereas CO2 lasers are popular amongst many applications.
Since there is such a low heat input into the material, CO2 lasers rarely if ever cause distortion or warping of material. They are also able to cut very soft materials like fabric and hard materials like metal. Currently, three types of CO2 lasers exist: axial gas-flow, transverse gas-flow and sealed tube. Axial gas-flow lasers continuously pump fresh carbon dioxide, nitrogen and helium to increase efficiency, in and out of a tube. Transverse gas-flow lasers have a horizontal gas flow, which causes higher power ratings. In sealed tube lasers, the gas is preserved inside the tube and is not refilled while in use. These lasers have a much longer wavelength than the other types. All three of these lasers are utilized by a variety of industries, particularly because they can slice through such a wealthy of materials. Industries include industrial and fabric manufacturing, specialized engraving companies, military, marine and any other organization that requires large pieces to be precisely cut, or small pieces to be carefully engraved.
