Laser cutting is so popular mainly because of its versatility. Laser cutters can cut a variety of materials from paper, wood, cork, acrylic, foam, to metal. When using a laser cutting machine, we should understand the characteristics of each material and pay more attention to it during actual use.
What materials can a laser cutting machine cut?
1.different metals
Laser cutters can cut a variety of metals, from mild steel and stainless steel to non-ferrous metals. Aluminum alloys and other reflective metals are more difficult to cut, where fiber lasers are a better choice. Today, metal cutting can even be as thick as 100 mm, depending on the power of the laser.
2.wood
Laser cutting can be used on all types of wood (including plywood and MDF), but some oily woods are an ignition hazard and should be used with special care.
3.paper and cardboard
We can see some intricate and delicate laser cut wedding invitations, most likely made by laser cutting.
4.plastic products
Both PMMA and Lucite’s acrylic are clear plastics. Laser cutting ensures a nice edge finish that looks like cream cut with a knife.
5.POM
Polyoxymethylene is a highly utilized plastic used in engineering, utilizing the ability of lasers to make complex cuts for gears, guiding and sliding elements, medical devices, food packaging and more.
6.Glass
Laser cutting glass and reflections, laser cutting glass may seem like an impossible task. However, laser cutters can cut glass.
What cannot be cut?
It may seem like a laser can cut almost anything, but it’s not, the material is not a cut list, but various plastics.
1.PVC
PVC cutting emits sour and toxic fumes, which are harmful to both the machine operator and the laser cutting machine itself. Therefore, PVC cutting should be done mechanically.
2.polycarbonate fiber
Laser cutters can try to use polycarbonate under 1mm, but this will cause discoloration of the material.
Laser cutting cannot be used. If the material is thicker, not only the efficiency is low, but also the material will fade seriously and cause burning.
3.HDPE ABS
In general, the laser is hot enough to vaporize materials, but it does not support ABS, HDPE, and other materials. It’s more prone to melting than evaporating, leaving behind a messy workbench and poor-quality cuts.
4.Polystyrene and polypropylene foam
Both are prone to fire.
5.glass fiber
Fiberglass is a mixture of two materials – glass and epoxy. Glass alone is notoriously difficult to cut and it would be a nightmare if adding resin to the mix would cause haze.