Laser Cutting

Laser cutting is a widely used method of sheet metal. When a focused laser beam strikes a work piece, the illuminated area heats up rapidly to melt or vaporize the material. As soon as the laser beam penetrates the work piece, the cutting process begins: the laser beam moves along the contours, melting the material at the same time. A jet of air is usually used to blow the melt away from the cut, leaving a narrow gap between the cut section and the platen that is nearly as wide as the focused laser beam.