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Laser cutting

Learn about laser cutting technology and how to cut DYOR robot.

Laser cutting machine

A laser cutting machine is a numerical control machine (CNC) with a laser head pointing downwards to the material. The main difference with respect to a 3D printer is that 3D printer add material, layer by layer, while laser cutting machines can cut or engrave planar surfaces. Therefore, they are only capable of processing 2D designs. Laser cutting machines are fast (compared to 3D printing) and in just few minutes can cut parts with a very high precision (even below 0.1mm) and repeatability. They are frequently used in architecture and makers.

The main drawback is that they are quite expensive. Prices can vary between 1.000€ to 15.000€ (or even more). In addition to this, mid-rage machines require a fume extractor which is also quite expensive (between 2.000€ and 5.000€). They are expensive to maintain and they require some sort of cooling system and therefore, this kind of machines is only recommended in places where there’s a reasonable amount of “production”. One of the most expensive systems is the CO2 tube which can be easily damaged without proper cooling (the cheapest ones use water or compressed air).

Materials

They can cut many types of materials, it basically depends on the power and speed aplied during the cutting. Generally, we can used woods, FDM, acrylic plastics, methacrylate, among others…

Samples from Cortebox

Cautions

We can not use PVC materials, because they generate chlorine after heating which is highly corrosive, toxic and damages the machine. Eventually, and particularly working with wood, the material can start burning because of an inappropriate use, so we should be always be pending of the machine when cutting. In addition to this, the machine must include a safety mechanism that cuts the current of the laser when the lid is open, because it can damage our sight. As a consequence of the cutting process, many particles can be floating which can be dangerous if we breath them.