What Is Laser Cutting & how does it work?

What Is Laser Cutting?

Laser cutting is a precision manufacturing method which uses a concentrated beam of light to cut or engrave materials with remarkable accuracy. It’s fast, clean, and capable of producing intricate shapes that traditional cutting tools can’t match.
Today, laser cutting is used across industries, including large-scale manufacturing and product design, as well as in small workshops and even hobbyists’ studios. Its most significant appeal lies in its versatility: the same process can cut metals, wood, plastics, glass, fabrics, and more, all with smooth, finished edges.
Before we learn how laser cutting works, we will explore its key advantages and applications.

Laser cutting services

Best Laser cutting services by Cyclotron Industries. We offer high precision, fast and accurate laser cutting solutions for any kind of metal applications

Email: enquiry@cyclotronindustries.com

Advantages of laser cutting process

1. High precision cuts: It delivers clean, accurate edges, even on complex designs. This level of precision reduces errors and ensures parts fit together perfectly.
2. Zero waste: Laser cutting does not produce dust. This keeps the workspace cleaner and minimizes the risk of contaminating components
3. Works on wide range of materials: One of the biggest advantages of the laser cutting process is that it can cut a range of materials, including metals and plastics, wood, composites, and more.

4. Zero tool wear: Since the laser beam never physically touches the material, there’s no risk of blades dulling or tools wearing out. That means no costly tool maintenance and fewer production interruptions.
5. Minimal or No Post processing: Cuts are so smooth and precise that in many cases, parts can go straight into the next stage of production without extra finishing work. This saves time and boosts efficiency
6. Minimal heat affected zone: The beam focuses on a very small area, which means heat doesn’t spread far into the material. This minimizes the risk of warping, distortion, or changes to the material’s properties.

Working of laser cutting

Laser cutting is a thermal separation process, meaning it uses heat to split material. Instead of a physical blade, the “cutting tool” is a concentrated beam of light. When this beam strikes the surface, it heats the material so intensely that it melts or even vaporizes in that tiny spot. Once the beam passes through the thickness of the material, the unwanted portion is blown away, leaving behind a smooth, narrow cut.

What makes the laser cutting machine so precise is the way it’s guided. A CNC machine directs the laser beam along a predefined programmed path based on the design input. Here is the step-by-step process:

1. Laser Beam Generation: The process begins at the laser source. Depending on the application, the laser source is chosen, which might be a CO₂ laser, a fiber laser, or a crystal laser.
2. Directing the beam: The beam is then guided to the cutting head through mirrors or fiber optic cables. This keeps the beam thoroughly focused in the desired direction and with full intensity.

3. Focusing the beam: Inside the cutting head, a focusing lens concentrates the beam to a fine point, enabling precise cuts. Concentrating all that energy into such a tiny spot increases its intensity to the point where temperatures soar high enough to melt or vaporize the material instantly.

4. Material removal: As the laser cuts, a jet of assist gas (commonly oxygen, nitrogen, or compressed air) is directed into the cut. This has two purposes:
It blows away molten or vaporized material, keeping the cut free of debris.
It improves the cutting speed and the quality of the edge

5. Controlled motion: The movement of the laser or the workpiece is precisely handled by the CNC system. Working from a digital design file, it follows the exact path required, making it possible to cut complex shapes, add fine details, and produce identical results every time.

Why it's so effective?

Laser cutting combines precision, speed, and versatility. It is compatible with metals, plastics, wood, fabrics, and a wide range of materials. The narrow cut width, minimal heat-affected zone, and non-contact nature mean less waste, less distortion, and a cleaner final product.

Conclusion

If you are looking for laser cutting services near me, you are at the right place: Cyclotron Industries. We specialize in delivering precision laser-cut components with tight tolerances and perfect fitment, right here in Pune. Get in touch with our team and let’s start working on your next project.