Laser cutting system

1. Laser cutting system Daniel Connolly Anton Vorsteveld Jared Wall Oliver Williams Yuan Yuan

2. Background Laser cutting has been used in industry since the 1970's. The first common application was for sign-making, mainly cutting acrylic. It is now a significant process in every manufacturing economy.

3. Laser cutting is a technology that uses a laser to cut precise patterns in most all types of materials such as metal, ceramic ,paper and so on. Introduction

4. Introduction There are two types of lasers used for cutting: the gaseous CO2 laser the solid-state Nd:YAG laser.

5. Applications Wood Paper Leather Glass Ceramic Metal

6. Benefits The flexibility and precision cutting of simple or complex parts; A non contact cut which means no marks or contamination of the material; A high quality cut with no extra finishing required; The ability to cut almost any material.

7. Drawbacks Material limitations (including crystalline and reflective materials) Producing a piercing hole that can make the pattern design more difficult. Reflected laser light can present a safety hazard The cost of laser cutting machine is much higher than other cutting processes

8. Economics of Laser Cutters High Initial Costs, some machines $300,000 + Protective glass, gas nozzles, dust and particle filters need replacement High use of cutting gasses 500-2000 L/H of O2 and/or N2 (.36 $/L)

9. Economics of Laser Cutters

10. Economics of Laser Cutters

11. Economics of Laser Cutters Efficient use of Laser Cutters is very material and application dependent Initial startup costs are high, but the larger cost is the gas used to expel the material out of the cut Creates very precise cuts with little to no finishing work required

12. Components of System Control Unit (CNC program) Power supply (120 or 240 v) Workpiece positioning table may be fixed or move in up to 2 directions May contain fastening devices scrap removal system Optics Unit (focusing unit) mirrors, focusing lens, Fasteners Gas/debris removal system

13. Optical Unit Mirrors direct the beam from the source down to the lens the lens then focuses the beam into the desired geometry finally the assist gas is added to remove the molten metal

14. Process

15. Science The Beam .0875-.5 inches from the source ~.001 inch at the workpiece Many factors are material and thickness dependent focal length, beam intensity, reed rate, cut with (kerf), cut time, machine configuration Types of cut Vaporization cutting, Melt and Blow, Thermal stress cracking, Burning Stabilized

16. Capabilities Materials Steel, Titanium, Paper, Wood, Leather, Wax, Plastic, Fabric Easily cuts .5 inch stainless steel Limitations Reflective materials, highly conductive Many applications

17. Safety Hazards Contact with hot workpiece Hand/eye contact with beam Inhalation of fumes Smoke, Fumes, dust particles have environmental risks

18. Machine Types Moving Material Positioning table moves in x-y plane Moving Optics Optical unit moves in x-y plane Hybrid Material moves in x, Optics move in y

19. Examples Hobby shop Small production runs Used for prototyping and hobbies Generally use a Moving Optics configuration Connected to fume hood for ventilation May be home made

20. Examples Production Machine Medium to large production runs Used for producing production components Can be one of all 3 configurations Connected to fume hood for ventilation Contain production line facilitators

21. Processes and Practices Laser Cutting Results Majority of applications are in 2D Extreme precision can be achieved Capable of providing high tolerances and providing high quality surface finishes Results on the Material May affect hardness Possible change in grain size Narrow heat-affected zone

22. Processes and Practices Laser Applications Laser Welding More accurate, reliable and fast than traditional welding methods Laser Marking Similarly accurate, reliable and fast in comparison to traditional marking methods

23. Processes and Practices Current Uses of Laser Cutting Systems Primarily 2D Systems Either melts, burns, or vaporizes away material Used to cut flat-sheet metal and piping/structural materials

24. Processes and Practices 3D Laser Cutting Applications The future of laser cutting

25. Processes and Practices About 3D Laser Cutters 6-axis rotary head to allow beveled and mitered cuts Capable of cutting round, square, channel, angle and other structural shapes Up to ¾” cut thickness Industries Served Automotive, industrial, electrical, constructions and aerospace

26. Pace MakersA Case Study Trumpf Lasers Specializes in Medical Equipment Laser Welding, Cutting, Marking Pioneer in Pioneer in

27. Pace MakersA Case Study

28. Utilizes laser cutting, welding, marking. Pace MakersA Case Study

29. Nearly Seamless Markings

30. Pace MakersA Case Study

31. Conclusion There are many useful applications and uses for Laser Cutting in the current manufacturing market Many new innovations are on their way and new uses for this versatile cutting process are cropping up each year The future of Laser cutting has a bright future, so don’t forget your welding mask

32. Questions for the class Have any of you ever used or seen a Laser Cutting Machine in use? Could Laser cutting ever completely substitute for other cutting machines? What are the limitations with respect to what we are covering in class right now? What future applications can you see Laser Cutting to be useful for? Where on a car assembly line could Laser Cutting improve quality and production times? Could you use laser cutting to reduce the safety risks on a production floor? What role could Laser cutting perform in a job shop?