1. What is Laser Cutting and Laser Engraving

Laser cutting is a modern fabrication process that uses a highly focused beam of light to precisely cut through materials such as wood, acrylic, metal, leather, fabric, and more. The laser beam melts, burns, or vaporizes the material, creating sharp edges and clean finishes without physical contact. This makes it ideal for both delicate and industrial applications.

Laser engraving, on the other hand, removes a thin surface layer of the material to create a permanent mark, pattern, or design. It is widely used for logos, personalization, serial numbers, and decorative detailing on items like plaques, gifts, and industrial components.

 1.1 Types of Laser Cutters and Their Uses

There are several types of laser cutters, each suited to specific materials and purposes:

* CO₂ Laser Cutters: These are the most common for non-metal materials like wood, acrylic, leather, and paper. They provide smooth edges and are excellent for detailed engraving and cutting.

* Fiber Laser Cutters: Designed mainly for metals such as stainless steel, brass, copper, and aluminum. Fiber lasers offer faster cutting speeds and greater energy efficiency.

* Diode Lasers: Compact and lower in power, diode lasers are used for light engraving and cutting thin materials. They are often found in desktop hobby or small-business setups.

* UV Lasers: These operate at shorter wavelengths and are ideal for delicate materials like plastics, glass, or electronic components where heat damage must be minimal.

Each laser type offers unique advantages depending on the required precision, material, and production scale.

1.2 CNC Technology in Laser Cutting

All modern laser cutters are a type of CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine, meaning they are controlled by a computer following a digital design. The main difference is in how the laser head moves. Digital Design (design files like DXF, SVG, or AI formats) with the CNC technology precisely guides the laser beam to spot on coordinates on the given material.

There are two main cutting technologies:

• Normal Cutting (Gantry System):This is the most common system. The laser head is mounted on a set of rails (a gantry) that moves it precisely in the X (left-right) and Y (forward-backward) directions over a stationary bed. This is excellent for cutting large, full sheets of material with consistent accuracy over the entire area.

• Galvo Head Cutting/Engraving:In this system, the laser itself is stationary, and its beam is directed by two high-speed mirrors (galvanometers) that rapidly "steer" the beam. This is incredibly fast for engraving and marking smaller areas but typically has a smaller working area than a gantry system.