Laser Cutting Design Software

Laser-cutting software ease the job for the machine operator while improving cut quality and precision. Laser design software are simpler than CNC programming. An important thing about laser design software is that it creates a vector file for the laser machine. Vector files are not like pixel images. Therefore, vector files do not lose any quality on resizing.

Design Tips for Laser Cutting

Accurl has many tips you can follow to get outstanding results on your laser-cutting project. Some of the design tips that can help you are:

Remember to choose the right format for the vector file. Commonly accepted formats are dxf, eps, step, and ai. Image formats like jpg and jpeg are not acceptable.

Never use text boxes in the design file. Laser cutters don’t understand the text. Instead, convert the text to shape-based designs. For instance, create ‘W’ with four inclined straight lines.

Choose the right material for your project. Find out if the material you chose is right for laser cutting.

The simplest design is the best design. Complex designs will give problems while cutting and are susceptible to breaking.

Laser Cutting Tolerance

Tolerance in cutting refers to the deviation of the actual after-cutting part from the intended design. Lower tolerance means higher accuracy. When comparing two processes for accuracy, you should evaluate their tolerance values. The lower tolerance process will have high precision.

Laser cutting provides tolerance less than +/- 0.01″. This value is among the lowest in any industrial cutting technology. This is why laser cutting is one of the most precise processes out there.

Laser Cutting Maximum Thickness

A common query regarding laser systems is the maximum thickness they can cut. The exact value of maximum thickness varies based on the particular material. For instance, laser light can cut mild steel up to 2.5 cm (1 inch) thickness. For other materials, the maximum thickness lies in the range of around 2 cm. Laser power also determines the maximum thickness. High power laser can cut thicker materials than low power consumption laser.

Dangers of Laser Cutting

Laser processing systems can have certain dangers associated with them. These machines are designed to cut through the hardest materials by melting them. Therefore, the power of these machines is extreme. Understanding the dangers of these machines is vital before operating them.

Modern laser systems come with multiple safeguard measures to eliminate such concerns. However, to ensure a safe operation, getting a high-quality laser system is important. Accurl is the best choice in this regard.

Environmental Impact of Laser Cutting

The environmental impact of a laser cutter depends on how you use it. Laser cutting has a certain carbon footprint since it is an industrial technology. However, the energy consumption of these machines is quite lower than comparative cutting tools.

Additionally, laser cutters also reduce material wastage. Good quality CNC machining lasers last for ages without needing replacements. All these factors favor making laser cutting an environmentally friendly technology.