Laser cutting of plastic requires a CO2 laser machine, computer program and work table. Machines vary in size and cutting method, with most operated by CNC. Commercial machines have variable power settings and produce shiny edges. Cutting action occurs with flying optics, hybrid or moving material machines.
Laser cutting of plastic requires a machine with a carbon dioxide laser, a computer program and a work table. Some laser machines engrave or etch objects, while others are capable of both etching and making full-thickness cuts, depending on the laser power setting. These machines usually handle flat sheet material and the sizes of the machines and the sheets they can accommodate vary. Modern machines often vary in the method used to make the cut. Some are self-contained, with an enclosed cutting area and an exhaust system that clears dust, fumes or smoke.
Most machines used by hobbyists or industries are operated by computers and the technology is often referred to as computer numerical control (CNC) lasers. Operators indicate the type of cut or cuts desired in the pre-programmed software and the machine produces the finished product. Templates could also be uploaded to the computer. These plastic laser cutting machines can cut acrylic, polycarbonate, polypropylene and polyethylene.
Commercially manufactured machines usually have lasers with variable power settings. The power range can be from 12 watts to 600 watts, and the setting along with the thickness of the material generally determines the cutting speed. Plastic laser cutting machines typically cut the material at a tapered angle of one or two degrees because the laser beam is usually shaped like a cone. The heat from the laser produces two-dimensional cuts by melting or vaporizing the plastic, usually producing a shiny edge.
The mechanical cutting action occurs in one of three ways: with a flying optic, a hybrid setup, or a moving material machine. A flying optics laser, also known as a Z cutter, usually has a fixed table that holds the plastic. The laser head travels along the x, y and z axes, allowing the operator to adjust the depth of a cut or allow the machine to accommodate materials of various thicknesses.
A hybrid laser cutter generally consists of a motorized table that moves along the x-axis, while the cutting head moves along the y-axis. The motorized table on a moving material cutter moves along the x and y axes while the laser cutting head remains stationary. These machines usually maintain a constant distance between the laser and the material to be cut. Moving material laser cutting machines tend to cut more slowly than the other two types of machines.
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