Laser cutting
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Laser cutting is a mostly thermal process in which a focused laser beam is used to melt material in a localised area. A co-axial gas jet is used to eject the molten material from the cut and leave a clean edge. A continuous cut is produced by moving the laser beam or workpiece under CNC control. |
Applications of laser cutting
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Laser cutting is the largest industrial application of higher power lasers. It is used in industry in a range of applications from prototyping and smaller batch manufacturing up to continuous production line systems. The process lends itself to automation with offline CAD/CAM systems controlling either 3-axis flat bed systems or 6-axis robots for three dimensional laser cutting. |
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In recent years the increase in laser cutting has been dramatic, replacing more conventional mechanical processes due to increased flexibility. The improvements in accuracy, edge squareness and heat input control means that other profiling techniques such as plasma cutting and oxy-fuel cutting are being replaced by laser cutting. |
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Contact:
Laser and Sheet Processes Group
TWI Ltd
Granta Park
Great Abington
Cambridge, CB21 6AL (previously CB1 6AL), UK
email:
lasers@twi.co.uk
Tel: 01223 899000
Fax: 01223 890661
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