What Can an Industrial Laser Cutting Machine Cut?
Industrial laser cutting machines are very different from home laser cutters. These advanced systems are designed for more than just home projects. Our fiber laser cutting machine can support large-scale productions, cutting through a wide range of materials with enhanced accuracy and efficiency. It’s an essential piece of equipment for countless industries like manufacturing, automotive, and construction.
Unlike a home laser cutter, industrial laser cutting machines have the high-power capabilities to cut through thicker materials. With this in mind, what exactly can an industrial laser cutting machine cut? What are its limitations? Keep reading to learn what our laser cutting machine can and cannot cut.
What Can Our Laser Cutting Machine Cut?
Most Metals: Steel, Aluminum, Carbon
Our laser cutting machine (Amada 9kW ENSIS 3015 RIe) can seamlessly cut through most metals, including steel, aluminum, copper, brass, and carbon, regardless of their material thickness.
This is not the case for all laser cutting machines. Traditionally, laser cutting technologies struggle with thicker metal pieces. Some are only capable of processing flat sheet metal. Our machine is unique — it has ENSIS technology built to automatically adjust the laser beam based on material type and thickness.
BSG's Laser Cutting Machine: Cut Through Pipes, Tubes, and More!
Additionally, many standard cutting tools struggle with cutting circular objects, such as pipes and tubes, due to variation in thickness and changing distance from the laser beam. However, our laser cutting machine is equipped with specialized VPSSS 4ie Tube Software, as well as extra support chucks. This tube cutting software is designed to dynamically adjust to the unique needs of tube cutting, with pre-programming built-in for common tube shapes. The main chuck and support chuck hold the tube in place during the cutting process.
Experience innovation like this by working with BSG Inc., Southwestern Ontario’s trusted laser cutting partner. We’re known for our commitment to developing high-quality products efficiently, and our state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies empower us to achieve unbeatable results. Whether you’re only at the concept stage, or ready for a full-scale production, we can assist at any step with our comprehensive fabrication services.
What Can't Our Laser Cutting Machine Cut?
One thing that sets industrial laser cutting machines apart from home laser cutters is the power and voltage. These high-power laser cutting machines are designed for high-capacity, industrial projects. In order to cut thick metal materials, it needs to reach intense heat points. This makes it incompatible with materials that are sensitive to high temperatures. Generally, anything that burns cannot be cut by a laser cutter.
Here is what our industrial laser cutting machine can’t cut:
Wood: Wood is a porous material that’s highly sensitive to high temperatures. This can lead to uneven cuts and excessive fumes when cut with a laser. It’s better suited for other cutting methods.
Glass: Our machines aren’t designed for cutting glass in most forms. Glass fractures under intense heat which makes it a risky material to work with using a laser cutting machine.
Fabrics: Fabrics, whether cotton or polyester, behave unpredictably and are hard to control when being laser cut. Fabrics are not suited for a high-power laser cutter, as the laser can leave behind a charred effect with uneven edges. It’s also prone to fraying when cut, which makes having clean lines almost impossible in most cases.
Leather: Untreated or natural leather can’t be laser cut without melting or becoming discoloured. It will often result in an uneven cut. Additionally, most leathers produce strong odors and excessive fumes when cut with a laser. This can make the process unsafe.
Acrylic, Plastic, Paper, Rubber: All of these materials demonstrate similar problems to those listed above. They don’t react well to excessive heat, can release harmful gases, and are prone to melting or warping when exposed to laser heat.
Is there a material you need cut that isn’t listed here? Ask us if we can cut it!