A laser cutting machine requires several things to help it work properly in its environment.  One of the things it needs is a computer system to work.  Computer aided design (CAD) software is needed as is vector graphical software.  CAD software data will inform the laser what to do.  Proper training is also needed for people who will be using the laser cutter.  Laser cutters additionally need to be properly kept and have a myriad of setups, or configurations that they can have.

Laser Cutter Setup Options

There are several setups, or configuration choices for lasers.  The flying optic setup has an X and Y axis as well as a Z axis.  The object being cut will not move.  Some laser cutters of the flatbed variety allow for the optics to stay in place but the material being sliced will move.  Another style is a laser cutter with flying optics and the surface table with the object being cut moves too.  This is a hybrid of the previous two configurations.  The hybrid machine cannot handle high-speed projects but can perform large work envelopes, with some machines achieving jobs with an envelope longer than 100 feet.  There are additionally 5-axis 3D laser cutting machines.  This is a usual machine used in slicing sheet metal such as for developing automobile prototypes.  Its work envelope can be extremely wide and entail the size of an entire automobile.  The fast-growing part of the industry is in the articulated robots with 6-axis 3D laser machining capabilities.  This also is employed primarily in the automotive industry.  In this setup, the robot with 6 axes is paired with an yttrium-aluminum garnet (YAG) laser.  The beam has delivery of a fiber optic beam.  The asset of the fiber optic beam delivery is the regular optical-path length.  Two kinds of fiber optics are used, step-index and gradient-index fibers.  Gradient-index allows for better beam focus.

Training

Users will need to be instructed in several areas such as in basic usage of the laser cutter as well as methods to input cutting parameters into the numerical controller.  The user should also know how to manipulate CAD programs and how they work with the laser cutter.  The better a user knows how to manipulate the machine and its components, the more money a company will make as the user will keep the work flow moving smoothly and speedily.  Other software instruction in Material Requirements Planning (MRP) software and quality management software that handles work flow management is also helpful.  Quality management software can advance work flow through the use of Corrective Action Notifications (CANs) and Corrective Action Requests (CARs) where the software will handle problems and tell the proper users so the issue can be fixed. Options for instruction include interactive multimedia training, classroom and lab training, and online training.  Operator and maintenance training are often offered to customers of laser cutters by the vendor.  Safety issues should also be studied.

Maintenance

One laser cutter vendor suggests a machine cleanup daily.  The cutting beds and dust collectors should be cleaned out with a shop vacuum and weekly a citrus cleaner should be employed to wipe the cabinetry off. Wipe the encoder strip with alcohol only.  Most components on a laser cutter will not wear down but cutting grills will need to be replaced due to being worn down usually every six months.  Other components should only be replaced if needed.  Lenses and other optics should be viewed regularly and kept clean.  By keeping all parts of the laser cutter clean and honed, it will work at its optimum speed.  

Marc Anderes is the VP of Operations of Maloya Laser which specializes in Metal Manufacturing and <A href=”http://www.MaloyaLaser.com”>Laser Cutting</a> with advanced <A href=”http://www.maloyalaser.com/capabilities_equipment.php”>laser technologies</a>, for medical, aerospace, scientific and transportation requirements.