Laser Cutting

Cutting with lasers is accomplished with carbon dioxide (CO₂) and neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers. This article provides a description of the process variables and principles of laser cutting. It discusses the three basic types of CO₂ gas lasers, namely, slow axial flow, transverse flow, and fast axial flow and reviews the applications of Nd:YAG laser. The article describes the basic parameters in the laser-cutting process: beam quality, power, travel speed, nozzles design, and focal-point position. Several material conditions that affect the quality of the laser cut are also discussed. The article provides information on the basic laser-cutting system and its optional equipment. A general description of how well each metal group can be cut is also provided.