Laser Machine Welding

Laser machine welding is the joining of two pieces of material, usually metal, but often these days plastics, using a laser beam. A laser is a single phase, or coherent beam of light often seen in science fiction movies, but the development of the laser beam and its application in laser machine welding allows for advancements in precision welding using this high-energy device, which creates heat when it strikes a surface. Laser machine welding is used for steam tracing and inspection, for surface heat treating, cutting with heat and other precision applications. The laser, which stands for light amphlication by stimulated emission of radiation, emits photons in a narrow beam. Laser light usually in monochromatic, meaning that it emits light of a single wavelength. Common light emits incoherent light, which goes in all directions over the spectrum. The first working laser was developed by Hughes labs in 1960, but was descended from work done by Albert Einstein in 1916. However, the laser itself is such a recent development that the use of laser machine welding is a fairly recent technological innovation. Lasers have found applications in many areas since their invention. Modern medicine utilizes lasers for surgery, having realized the ability to perform less invasive surgical procedures than in the past. Also the fine and precise nature of lasers has led surgeons to use them for such delicate operations as eye surgery. In common practice many people today use laser pointers, especially in the classroom. Marksmen use laser sights on rifles. Computer users use laser printers for output rather than old-fashioned methods, and lasers are used for motion detection and security, among many dozens if not hundreds of other applications. Lasers are even used in children’s toys, office photocopiers and in the devices used to lock and unlock car doors. As technology improved lasers worked their way into all aspects of life and it was only natural that applications of lasers to welding technology would occur. The end result of this has been the creation of the laser machine-welding specialty, taking its place next to Mig, Tig, Arc and other welding methods. Uses of laser machine welding are becoming commonplace in the computer and consumer electronics industry, in space and aircraft technology and with defense contractors. Laser machine welding is often used because it can be much more precise than other welding methods. Laser machine welding is often used for micro welds of hyper small dimensions that conventional welding methods could never touch. Laser machine welding is often used in jewelry manufacturing, engraving, in dentistry, and in the tool and die industry where precision is demanded. Laser machine welding is on the cutting edge of technology, and welders trained to use laser machine welding are some of the brightest and most talented welders in the industry. Laser machine welding has also found a home in the highly technical and precise welding needs of plastic welding. While plastic welding is often done with ultrasonic welders, many times laser machine welding is the preferred method.

CNC Cutting Machine

The operators of the present-day CNC cutting machine demonstrate many of the same skills as those possessed by various traditional craftsmen. The operators of the CNC cutting machine include the men and women who design and make cabinets, woodwork, signs, and a whole range of metal, solid surface and plastic objects. The manufacturers who employ these operators know how important it is to have a good quality CNC cutting machine.

A good quality CNC cutting machine has a cutting table that covers the area bounded by a length of four feet and a width of eight feet. A quality table can handle satisfactorily a standard 4 x 8 plate of metal, wood, plastic, glass, or stone. A table that lacks a sufficient length or width will make it necessary for the operator to repeatedly reposition the plate. Operators of the CNC cutting machine refer to such repositioning as indexing.

A good basic CNC cutting machine does both plasma and oxyfuel cutting. Refinements on a basic cutting machine might provide it with the ability to perform other functions, functions such as:

-spotting holes for drilling
-drilling aluminum
-cutting a shape in the sides or end of tubing
-routing wooden shapes.

Other modifications on a CNC cutting machine might be directed at installation of the equipment for laser or water jet cutting.

The selection of a CNC cutting machine will be primarily determined by the nature of cutting that will be performed by the machine operator. For some operations, it will be necessary to do only straight cutting. For other operations, the cutting machine must perform bevel cutting. Bevel cutting allows the operator to trim, reduce, shave, and pare the material in the plate.

Both types of cutting will subject the CNC cutting machine to a fair amount of wear and tear. The manufacturer therefore needs to purchase a machine with adequate customer support. Such support should include the availability of spare parts. An absence of spare parts could require that the electronics of the CNC cutting machine undergo a retrofitting.

A need for retrofitting would deprive the operator of important production time. The need for retrofitting would diminish the quantity of goods that could be sold to the consumer. The need for retrofitting leads to a decrease in the amount of time that the operator will be spending at the CNC cutting machine. That is why the availability of spare parts for a malfunctioning CNC cutting machine remains one of the two chief concerns of the manufacturer. A second prime concern is the size of the cutting table.

The operator of a CNC cutting machine that needs to spend a large percent of time indexing will not have much time to spend on the actual cutting. Hence, the manufacturer will have much less product. Fewer products from the manufacturing facility translate into fewer products on the shelf. Consequently, the need for operators to spend time indexing can prove a detriment to the company’s bottom line. A good sales volume reflects the well-planned purchase of a CNC cutting machine.