Hans Low Power Lasers

Laser cutting today can employ a variety of laser types.  However, prevalent in laser cutting is the CO2 laser and, to a lesser extent the fiber laser.

The highest precision machines require a fixed laser beam length with a moving table. The laser beam expands and changes shape at different distances from the laser source. By fixing the laser beam, and also making the shape round (using circular polarizer optics), this machine provides the best cutting.  For large sheet material, the table size becomes very large.  Thus, this design can be the most expensive.  Also, moving the table means moving a much larger mass than the laser focus assembly, so fixed optic machines tend to be slower than belt drive machines, or lead screw with moving focus head machines.

As lower cost usually makes for higher quantity sold, the belt drive is the most prevalent.  This laser cutter design uses belts to move a beam along a table, and can also move the laser focus head along the beam.  In this case, the laser source is stationary, as on the floor beside the machine, or fixed on the moving beam.

For more precise applications than the belt drive, the lead screw uses a precision ground screw and nut to move one or more table axis.  As in the case of the belt drive, the laser is beside the motion table or mounted on the moving beam or above table that moves in one axis.

The Unwind Rewind machinery is available for buyers that want to utilize their own feeding and take-up equipment with the laser machine, such as in the case of wiring stripping.

Select from the list of fixed laser beam, lead screw, belt drive, and more to investigate the various machinery offered. 

Consider your machine requirements when identifying a laser cutting machine.  Some of the major questions to be answered include:

What are the dimensions of your material? This will determine table size.

What is the precision or accuracy requirement? This answer has a significant impact upon cost, and determines fixed beam, lead screw, and belt drive mechanisms. 

What is the throughput required? Or, how fast does the machine need to operate? This answer also can impact cost.  Throughput is dependent upon the laser capability and the motion system.