Etching Pros
Laser cutting is a similar process to laser engraving except that the material being exposed to the laser beam by the laser cutting machine is completely cut through, not just laser engraved on the surface. Laser cutting with a small laser cutting machine (co2 laser cutting) can involve laser beams of hundreds of watts. Laser cutting with a larger laser cutting machine or a laser cutting welding unit may produce a laser light in a power range of over a thousand watts.
Titanium laser cutting, laser pipe cutting, sheet metal laser cutting, laser cutting aluminum, laser cutting copper, laser cutting stainless etc. is more about precision and control then raw power. The idea in laser cutting is not to just make a cut, but a very clean cut. To much power applied during laser cutting will warp or damage the piece being cut, this is especially true in tube laser cutting where excessive heat can damage the hollow tube. Industrial laser cutting involves precise control also known as cnc laser cutting. A cnc laser cut is a precise laser cut under complete computer control. A cnc laser cutting machine can be expensive to purchase, however the laser cut produced is unmatched by any other method.
Lower power setting allow different materials to be cut: laser cutting acrylic, laser cutting plastics, laser fabric cutting, fiber laser cutting, laser cut felt and other delicate materials. It should be noted that laser eye surgery (lasik surgery) was made possible because of the precision laser power controls pioneered in the laser cutting / laser welding / laser engraving industry.
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An Iphone
One of the new and innovative uses for laser etching machines is customizing the look of Iphones and laptops. This type of custom laser engraving of electronic devices has spawned a new cottage industry and has renewed interest in the venerable art of laser etching. The Iphone above is being engraved on an Epilog laser etching machine. The laser etching machine is more typically used to engrave marble and granite plaques, pet memorials but is finding new and innovative uses all the time.