Components of a laser cutting machine

An industrial laser cutting machine will have the following components:

• Laser source: the laser could be a CO2, fiber or Nd:YAG laser, and this is the key component that creates the laser beam. Selecting a laser with the correct wavelength that matches the absorption of the material can increase the cutting speed and have a positive effect on the cutting quality

• Optics and beam delivery: there are two common types of beam delivery; a scan head uses galvo mirrors to steer the focused laser beam across the material surface, or a cut head, containing a fixed focusing lens and a gas jet manifold. Read more about choosing the correct beam delivery method.

• Control software: a controller manages the laser cutting machine and the auxiliary components. It can direct the beam to the precise location or monitors the movement of the material. A comprehensive software supports the cutting operation by precisely adjusting the parameters like laser power and process speed, or creating cutting jobs.

• Work table: the material being processed is held on a surface, often featuring a grid structure, while it is being cut. It is also possible to work on the fly and cut the material while it is moving on a conveyor or robotic arm.