Making the Most of Precision Wood Cutting

Laser cutters can be used to cut or manipulate a wide range of materials, including wood. For high-end precision wood cutting, many fabricators use either a 2-D or 3-D laser cutter. Key reasons why lasers are favored over other cutting tools when it comes to woodwork is the speed, accuracy and versatility they provide. Here are some of the basics to know about wood cutting projects using laser machines.

Wood Cutting Projects

The list is long for the various applications of precision wood cutting, which is used in many industries. Here are some common examples for cutting wood projects:

• cabinets and shelves
• handles for brooms, silverware, rails
• frames for paintings, doors and windows
• hardwood flooring
• arts and crafts
• decorative panels

Computer numerical control (CNC) machines, in which designs can be programmed and then cutting is automated, speed up production, even for curves and diagonal cuts. Many fabricators use CNC routers for certain woodcutting, but it’s not a universal solution for all types of cuts. These routers are not suitable for sharp angles or wide cuts and often require manual labor to complete the project.

The machines that work best for universal woodcutting, as mentioned earlier, are 2-D and 3-D laser cutters, in which both fall under the CNC umbrella. These laser cutters save time and money compared to traditional methods, while providing a high level of accurate cuts. They are very useful for creating quick high quality prototypes and making last minute adjustments. The concentrated laser in these machines is capable of melting, burning or vaporizing wood.

While the 2-D laser cutter is appropriate for two-dimensional cuts, the 3-D laser cutter is superior for either two-dimensional or three-dimensional cuts. Both machines are effective for cutting a wood thickness of .005 inches to 1 inch.

Engraving on Wood

Reasons for engraving on wood vary from adding aesthetics to numbers or words used for identifiers or sign messages. Laser engraving is suitable for wood and gets a job done much faster than the old chiseling by hand method. The design is planned in AutoCAD software, then the engraving process is automated by a CNC machine. The laser beam shines through a lens, allowing it to cut into the wood based on the programmed design while tiny wood particles are removed from the surface.

One of the issues to keep in mind for woodworking is that it’s easier to control precision wood cutting by using hardwoods. Softer wood requires lower power and results can be mixed. Another issue is that wood can warp when heated or bend when exposed to moisture, so it must be stored properly prior to production.

Conclusion

Modern woodcutting is done most efficiently with CNC machines, which allow for accuracy and quick turnaround times. Contact us at Serra Laser to learn more about the fastest and most economical methods for precision wood cutting.

Precision Laser Cutting Basics

When you need products to be manufactured with precision, it’s best to use a laser cutter. More traditional methods of cutting and shaping materials usually involve more steps and create more waste. A laser cutter, however, can be programed to cut with precision and can produce multiple products per minute. Here are key basics for understanding why precision laser cutting is considered high quality and commonly used by manufacturers.

Cutting With Ease

One of the key reasons why a laser cutting machine is chosen by fabricators is that it makes cutting metal easy, so it’s useful for productive endeavors. A laser cutter relies on a beam of light that cannot be seen by the human eye, but is powerful enough to melt metal. The beam does not make any physical contact with the material and has minimal thermal impact. Laser cutting is as fine as one-fourth the size of a human hair, making it useful when a high level of accuracy is required.

High Precision Cuts

The highest precision cuts are made from lasers assisted with a coaxial gas such as oxygen. This technology is commonly used for making medical tubes. An essential key to making high quality medical tubes is producing high resolution cut paths with dimensional accuracy. Medical tools with jagged teeth are often made by laser cutters, due to their ability to cut less than .001 inch.

The high level of accuracy on the first cut achieves sustainability since it eliminates the need for further processing, which reduces material waste. Furthermore, the precision laser cutting process has multiple purposes in manufacturing. One of the most valuable purposes for this modern technology is to produce an accurate prototype for a new product.

Fast Turnaround Time

Another reason why laser cutters are favored in manufacturing is they can be used to generate a high output of units per day. Fabricators that use laser cutters can guarantee high volume production in a short turnaround time and attract large orders from large clients. Traditionally, faster production has often been at the expense of accuracy. Laser cutting is useful for both expedited projects and high precision.

Weighing Efficiency

The only other solution that rivals the laser cutter for high precision cutting is electro discharge machining (EDM), which is not as efficient. The laser cutter, which might only take up six square feet, is more flexible and occupies less space than a typical EDM machine, which commonly uses 12 square feet.

Since the laser cutter generates less waste and is superior in multiple ways to traditional cutting methods, it should be considered for manufacturing high quality products. Contact us at Serra Laser to learn more about precision laser cutting.