Metal & Non-metal CO2 Laser Cutter and Engraver

There are three main functions you can perform using a carbon dioxide laser cutting machine: cutting, engraving and marking.It has a broad cutting range, it can cut both metal and nonmetal materials, etc.

What Can You Do With a Laser Cutter?

There are three main functions you can perform using a carbon dioxide laser cutting machine: cutting, engraving and marking.

Engraving

Engraving is perhaps the most popular current usage for laser cutting professionals because it lets them customize pretty much anything. When you engrave using a CO2 laser, you remove the top layer without cutting all the way through the object. From keychains to glassware and apparel, there’s a lot you can do with one of these.

Cutting

When you use the laser to cut, the beam goes all the way through the material of your chosen substrate.  Laser cuts tend to be extremely clean and precise, although it does depend on the material you’re using.  For instance, wooden edges tend to have a darker finish than the original color of the wood.  One of the best materials for laser cutting is acrylic, which has a lovely glossy and smooth finish, with no discoloration.

Marking

Marking is the other end of the spectrum from cutting.  Instead of melting or removing the material, it simply alters the surface.  The only time you’d use a CO2 laser for marking would be if your chosen substrate was metal.  To make this work, you’d use a marking solution to prime the material.  Once dry, it reacts with the laser beam to leave a permanent mark.

Advantages of Using a CO2 Laser Cutter

Precision

The results you can produce with a CO2 laser cutting machine are extremely precise and accurate. Extreme heat and intensity from the light of the laser beam melt away the material in the design you enter into the computer. The finish is smoother and cleaner than you’d be able to produce by hand. As long as you can create a computerized 3D or 2D image, you can add wording, pictures or any other design to a broad range of materials.

Low power

Compared to other equipment that performs a similar function, a laser cutter uses a low amount of power — so little that you can use it at home without the need for any special wiring.  Even better, replacement parts are usually affordable.

Safety

Laser cutting is a safe way of marking, engraving or cutting because it doesn’t use a blade or any other sharp implement.  The laser beam is tightly sealed in glass, so as long as you carefully follow the safety instructions, there’s practically no risk of injury.

No Contact

The beam never actually touches the surface of the material you’re working with. Rather, it causes the material to melt because of the high heat emitted by the laser. This means the materials are less prone to damage — but it also means that the main appendage on the laser machine doesn’t wear down over time.

Versatility

There are many different industries and applications where laser cutting machines are useful.  From medical equipment to art, there are so many different ways you can make money using a laser cutting machine.

Which Materials Can You Cut With a CO2 Laser?

Some materials must not go anywhere near a CO2 laser cutting machine. Some of these include halogens, phenolic resins, epoxy, beryllium oxide, Teflon, PVB, PVC, carbon and any artificial or real leather containing chromium. Here’s a table of materials that are generally effective and safe for use with a laser engraving machine.

A CO2 laser cutter is a machine that uses a focused beam of CO2 laser radiation to cut or engrave materials.  It works by running electricity through gas mixture, which produces invisible light beams that are then amplified with mirrors before being concentrated into powerful cutting tool-kits you can carry around!

The CO2 laser cutter is not the best for strong metals or metallics, although it can handle sheets of aluminum and other non-ferrous materials.  Some users try to increase power by increasing oxygen content in their machine;  however this should only be done if you have a professional equipped with such enhancements designed specifically for them

A co2 laser engraver is a device that uses carbon dioxide lasers to create designs or text on different materials.  They are often used for industrial applications, but they can also be used for personal purposes, such as creating unique pieces of jewelry.  There are a number of different factors you need to consider when purchasing a co2 laser engraver, including the power of the laser, the size of the engraving area, and the type of material you will be using it on.