(1) It is mainly used for cutting sheet materials into desired shaped workpieces by a laser processing machine.
(2) It is a device that utilizes the thermal energy of a laser beam to achieve cutting, by melting and evaporating the workpiece surface upon the energy released when the laser beam is irradiated. It has characteristics of high precision, fast cutting, unrestricted by cutting pattern limitations, automatic layout to save materials, smooth cutting edges, and low processing costs. It will gradually improve or replace traditional cutting process equipment.

In laser melting cutting, the workpiece is partially melted and the melted material is ejected using airflow. Since material transfer only occurs in its liquid state, this process is called laser melting cutting.
The laser beam, together with a high-purity inert cutting gas, forces the melted material to leave the kerf, while the gas itself does not participate in the cutting.

  --The maximum cutting speed increases with increasing laser power, and decreases almost inversely with increasing thickness of the sheet and melting temperature of the material. In the case of a constant laser power, limiting factors are the gas pressure at the kerf and the thermal conductivity of the material.
  --Laser melting cutting can achieve oxide-free cuts for ferrous materials and titanium metals.

The difference between laser flame cutting and laser melting cutting is the use of oxygen as the cutting gas. Through the interaction between oxygen and heated metal, a chemical reaction occurs that further heats the material. Due to this effect, this method can achieve higher cutting rates for structural steel of the same thickness compared to melting cutting.
On the other hand, this method may result in poorer cut quality compared to melting cutting. In fact, it can generate wider kerf, noticeable roughness, increased heat-affected zone, and poorer edge quality.

  --Laser flame cutting is not ideal for processing precision models and sharp corners (there is a risk of burning off the sharp corners). Pulse mode laser can be used to limit heat effects.
  --The laser power used determines the cutting speed. In the case of a constant laser power, limiting factors are the supply of oxygen and the thermal conductivity of the material.
  --The laser power density required to produce melting but not vaporization is between 104W/cm2 to 105W/cm2 for steel materials.

In laser vaporization cutting, the material undergoes vaporization at the kerf, requiring very high laser power.
To prevent the material vapor from condensing on the walls of the kerf, the thickness of the material should not greatly exceed the diameter of the laser beam. This process is therefore only suitable for applications where the exclusion of melted material is necessary. In practice, it is only used in a small range of applications for iron-based alloys.

  --For a certain thickness of sheet metal, the maximum cutting speed is inversely proportional to the material’s vaporization temperature.
  --The required laser power density needs to be greater than 108W/cm2 and depends on the material, cutting depth, and focal point position of the beam.
  --For a certain thickness of sheet metal, assuming there is sufficient laser power, the maximum cutting speed is limited by the velocity of the gas jet.

(1) Laser cutting can be applied to almost all types of metal and non-metal materials.
(2) Laser beams can be focused into extremely small spots, enabling micro and precision machining, such as fine narrow slits and micro holes.
(3) Laser beams can be directed to remote locations or isolation chambers using reflective mirrors for processing.
(4) Laser cutting is a non-contact process, eliminating the need for tools and avoiding mechanical deformation.
(5) Laser cutting does not require special equipment or environments, making it suitable for automated continuous processing. It offers high efficiency with minimal deformation and heat distortion.

Focus position control technology: One of the advantages of laser cutting is its high beam energy density, typically around 10W/cm2. In industrial applications, high-power CO2 lasers often use a focal length of 127-190mm. The actual focal spot diameter is typically between 0.1-0.4mm.

Laser perforation technology: In most cases, any thermal cutting technique requires a small hole to be pierced on the plate before cutting. Laser cutting machines have two basic methods for perforation: explosive perforation and pulse perforation.

Nozzle design and airflow control technology: Currently, laser cutting nozzles use a simple structure with a conical hole and a small circular hole at the end. Designing the nozzle is usually done through experimentation and trial and error methods.