In the modern age of production in metal sheet parts, the number one tool to aid with doing that is the fiber optic laser. Sleek, fast, and accurate, it is the current driving force in leading the production of these parts.
In the modern age, there happens to be a demand for various different products and more compact machines which have coerced the hand of manufacturers to go away from typical methods of profiling with more favor towards the modern fiber laser technology.
The current generation of cutters is highly capable of cutting precisely and fast, all while leading to a lower cost in terms of traditional machines. This way, producers don’t have the need to invest a lot into pricey machinery.
The previous generation of cutters were the carbon dioxide cutters which took up a lot more power in comparison to the fiber laser cutter. Moreover, you can precisely focus this cutter onto a particular cross-section which basically lets you cut faster and more accurately.
As beneficial as this machine can be, it can also be damaging and harmful if not used the right way. Visit dxtech.com to know more about laser cutters and their various types. DXTech is a company that specializes in fiber optic laser cutter solutions. Visit their site to know more.
In this article, we’ll talk about what Fiber optic cutters are, the various types used, how to use them and how to prevent burns as well. With that being said, without any further ado, let’s get into this!
What Are Lasers?
Since the advent of Buzz Lightyear’s famous laser beam weapon, it has been engraved into the hall of fame for sci-fi phenomena. In reality, though, we might not be able to carry a laser that cuts through humans sustainably currently, but it is a thing of the future.
Lasers are one of the best phenomena of light rays that people have found exceptional use and application for in real-life situations. Laser or Light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation is the focused and amplified part of the light spectrum that can be highly damaging for humans but highly applicable in manufacturing sectors.
One of the more constructive and better aspects of lasers is its most famous use by eye surgeons to help repair the retinas of their patients, with a procedure called Lasik eye surgery. They use nearly a single wavelength of green light to make sure it passes through the eyes and vitreous humor without creating any damage to the rest of the eye.
Why this is important in the application of lasers in the manufacturing sector is the high versatility of lasers which can be manipulated and changed to different wavelengths.
What Are Fiber Laser Cutters?
Now that we know what laser technology is, people found a different application that has recently revolutionized the way we even cut metal anymore. Laser is being focused onto a particular cross-section with high intensity to give a neat, clean and clear cut. The heart of the machine is the laser source. The optical fiber is pumped utilizing high-power laser diodes stimulating the active medium to generate laser light by the optical fiber.
The laser beam is fed to the cutting head also, using a flexible optical fiber which eliminates the need for mirrors and beam paths to distribute the heat. Known from previous lasers, most manufacturers of laser cutters use control systems used primarily in much slower cutting machines, wasting the potential of the fiber laser.
They need to slow down to overcome complex shapes to avoid defamation of the product.
Improvements In The Fiber Laser Cutters
Organisations have now developed a control system dedicated to high dynamics to take full advantage of the physical properties that fiber lasers offer. They’ve moved to aspects of fiber lasers that can be developed even more. Once the drive system had been designed, the focus shifted to developing the right drawings.
They need to be durable enough to handle high dynamics and cutting speeds. Organizations started using the linear drives that operate without contact, different from the technology that utilizes mechanical drives that can wear out and require periodic replacement.
The access movement is driven by a magnetic field that cannot wear, eliminating gears that run the laser. IT provides greater efficiency of the drives. Also the energy used to accelerate the laser is recovered during braking. The recovered energy is transferred to the accelerating axis. The resulting energy consumption to power drives is reduced by 70%.
Linear motors however are relatively heavy, resulting in reduced acceleration that is why various organisations researched the use of modern magnetic materials with high saturation induction for use in new generation lasers. As a result linear lasers were created and implemented for production in which the power was increased three times without increasing the weight of the machine.
How To Minimise Burns With The Fiber Laser Cutter
Two of the most frequently asked questions about fiber laser cutters about safety and proper usage is the question of needing a protective coat during operation of the laser as well as to know how to minimise burns on the metal and other products while operating the fiber laser cutter.
Coming to the first question, Fiber laser cutters can be very harmful to the eyes and straight up have a cutting effect on skin. Make sure your hands are far away from the laser and when it comes to your eyesight, make sure you wear protective glasses of the appropriate wavelength.
Moreover, remember that you cannot look into the laser directly with your naked eye. When it comes to minimising burns on the product, the first and only thing to remember is the usage of tape.
It is highly recommended that you use tape on the sheet of metal or wood or whatever it is that is being cut. This will localise the cutting to just the design and will not burn the sides of the metal or the wood.
