Laser cutting is a prevalent way of cutting materials, and the process is much faster than the traditional alternatives. Maybe you have just bought your first laser cutter, or you're planning to buy one in the future.

Where do eyou start? What options should you choose? Worry not because this is the beginner's guide to laser cutting.

Although laser cutters are relatively simple machines with very few moving parts, this is not the end. You have to design the running file, set up the device, look out for any potential hazards, and many more.

If you want to understand more about how laser cutters function or explore the beautiful world of laser cutters, keep reading.

What is Laser Cutting And What Can It Do?

A laser cutter is essentially a type of CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine. CNC machines, similar to laser cutters, use code. The programming instructs the device on how to move, obtain power, and cut. Instead of removing material with blades, they melt it away with heat.

The laser cutter has a head that moves along the x, y, and z axes. The laser is a powerful beam of light that cuts through metal. Instead of removing material with blades, they melt it away with heat.

The laser cutting procedure is used to make jewellery, furniture, auto parts, and electronics, among other things. In recent years, technology has become more affordable and accessible, making it a popular choice among amateurs and corporations alike. Different materials need different types of laser cutters.

A CO2 laser, for example, can cut wood and acrylic but is not ideal for cutting metals. In contrast, fibre lasers have a higher power density and can cut through thicker steel alloys than CO2 lasers.

Remember that some materials reflect specific wavelengths better than others. So it is best to ask your supplier to ensure you receive the proper instrument for the job. You may use a laser cutter to cut materials like wood, glass, carbon fibre, aluminium, metals, and many more.

There are many benefits to using a laser to cut materials. These are some of them:

• Precision: Laser cutters are exact. They can make tiny cuts. Due to this, you can use laser cutting to create items with incredible details that may have otherwise been impossible to produce.

• Quality: Lasers make high-quality products with smooth edges and clean surfaces because they can make accurate cuts.

• Cutting speed: Lasers cut through materials because they go very fast. They are faster than waterjet or plasma cutters.

How To Operate A Laser Cutter? Follow These 6 Steps

Now that you know what laser cutters are and how they work, let’s talk about how you can actually operate one.

1. Prepare The Blueprint

The file (s), whatever format they are in, needs to be converted into vectors. The laser cutter can only read vector files. You can use Adobe Illustrator to do that.

Transfer The File To The Control Software

Transfer the file to the laser control software. Your design will automatically turn into a pattern for the laser cutter to follow. The laser cutter will cut out the pattern to make a nest of parts from the material.

Make sure all of your lines are thick enough. The laser cutter is unable to cut through anything that is thinner than .1mm. If you are using any curve or arc, make sure that all of the points that make up the curve are connected. The laser cutter is unable to cut arcs or curves if they are disconnected.

2. Connect The Laser Cutter To Your Computer

It is critical to connecting the laser to the same computer running the driver. Use a USB cable to link them. Before plugging them in, you need to make sure you have the right software.

3. Select Your Material

Select the material you'll be working with. Choose the same type of material in the material settings. This will determine the laser's settings. If you're cutting hard material, the pressure will be greater than that of cutting soft material.

4. Select Your Cut

Choose the type of cuts you'll make. Select the print option from the drop-down menu. Choose between raster engraving or vector cutting: raster engraving uses variable power levels to burn away surface material. Alternatively, vector cutting uses higher intensity settings. Press "vector print" if you want to cut an image and "raster print" if you want to engrave.

5. Set Focal Length

Set the focal length of the lens. The automated lens height sensor, or "button," is found on almost every modern laser cutter. If the machine does not adjust automatically when your material is in the correct place, hit the "adjust lens height" button on the machine. The laser will be focused at the correct level by adjusting the lens height.

If there isn't a lens height button, you'll have to adjust the height manually. To learn how to do this, consult the user manual for your laser cutter model, as the method varies.

6. Begging Cutting

Place the chosen material in the laser cutter's centre. This is the best position to get a good result. If your material doesn't fit, you'll have to cut it down to fit flat within the machine without curving up at the sides. When you press any key on the keyboard, the laser will test its proportions across the mat.

Now the magic happens. Press print and see it come to life. Do not move the material while the cutting is in process. The image components will not line up properly.

Want to print a number of the same objects? Replace the cut object with another intact piece of material and give it another go. And always follow standard safety guidelines during operation.

Conclusion

When you first start, laser cutting can seem intimidating, but it's a valuable ability to have. We hope this beginner's guide to laser cutting provided just that.

Although laser cutting is not difficult, it does require patience and meticulous attention to detail. You cannot undo your mistake because it will be etched through the layer underneath. If you have any more questions or confusion, do not hesitate to contact us.