Laser cutting technology is widely used in the processing of metals and non-metals, significantly reducing processing time, lowering costs, and improving part quality.

The main processes of laser cutting include the following:

1. Vapor Cutting

Under the heating of high-power density laser beams, the surface temperature of the material rises to the boiling point so rapidly that it avoids melting due to heat conduction. As a result, part of the material vaporizes into steam and disappears, while the remaining material is blown away as an ejected substance by the auxiliary gas flow from the bottom of the slit. Materials that cannot be melted, such as wood, carbon materials, and certain plastics, are cut into shape using this vaporization cutting method.

During the vaporization cutting process, steam carries away molten particles and washes away debris, creating holes. Approximately 40% of the material is converted into steam and disappears, while 60% is blown away in the form of molten droplets by the gas flow.

2. Melting Cutting

Once the power density of the incident laser beam exceeds a certain value, the material at the point of beam照射 begins to evaporate, forming holes. Once these small holes are formed, they act as black bodies and absorb all the incident laser beam energy. The holes are surrounded by molten metal walls, and then, an auxiliary gas flow coaxial with the beam carries away the molten material around the holes. As the workpiece moves, the holes synchronously shift transversely in the cutting direction to form a cut. The laser beam continues to照射 along the leading edge of this slit, and the molten material is continuously or pulsatively blown away from within the slit.

3. Oxidizing熔割.

Melting cutting typically employs inert gases; however, if oxygen or other reactive gases are used instead, the material is ignited under the laser beam's照射, undergoing a vigorous chemical reaction with oxygen to produce another heat source, known as oxidation melting cutting.