How 3D laser cutting and engraving works

Metal object processed with 3d laser printer

3D is one of the most important innovations in the field of laser processing and is used in particular in the cutting of various materials and objects such as sheets and tubes, but also to create precise and aesthetically valuable engravings on metals, crystal or plexiglass.

The Laser 3D Cut

The need to cut two-dimensional and three-dimensional pieces such as tubes with round, square or rectangular section, profiles, but also beams, sheets and flat sheets has led to the development of 3D laser cutting technology that allows you to create a wide range of industrial components for various sectors, as well as very high quality manufacturing products.

The main sources used in this technique are the fiber optic laser. 3D laser processing is based on the principle of concentrating a coherent beam of light on a limited area in order to be able to cut or engrave the material.

In this specific case the laser machine, in addition to operating on linear axes X, Y and Z, also acts at the level of inclination and rotation.

3D laser cutting is successfully used for sheet metal processing, allowing the most varied geometric shapes to be engraved and thus providing added value to the final product.

The 3D laser also offers the opportunity to modify the project at any time and is therefore an advantageous technology both for producing samples and for mass production.

For further information read -> From the C02 Laser to the Fiber Laser, let's discover the most popular types of lasers

Advantages

The great flexibility and adaptability of the laser allows operators to work easily and easily both sheets and complex metal materials, using reduced bending radii so that the 3D laser technology is perfect for cutting both two-dimensional and three-dimensional components, small, medium and large.

Other advantages of 3D laser cutting are:

the speed of execution with consequent savings in production costs,
the minimum heating of the processed material which in this way preserves all its original characteristics intact,
the absolute absence of mechanical deformations of the worked piece,
the high quality of the cutting edge, which is extremely clean, so once the laser cutting has been made there is no need for further processing.

How 3D laser engraving works

A process made possible by the use of the 3D laser is the incision with which a surface layer of a certain material is removed, thus creating a millimeter notch inside it.

With the use of this highly innovative, fast and efficient technique, it is possible to engrave various graphic elements including logos, codes, texts or decorative elements.

The engraving has a high aesthetic quality ensuring accurate and uniform details and is indelible so it does not deteriorate or fade over time.

The flexibility of this type of laser allows to operate on different surfaces and materials such as metal and stainless steel; other areas of use are 3D laser engraving on crystal, glass and plexiglass.

Punch of a steel mold worked with the Laser

In the case of glass laser engraving, this is performed mainly using the CO2 laser source. The laser beam penetrates the crystal and creates the tiny points that then form the image you want to engrave, ensuring an ultrafine detail processing even when dealing with a curved surface.

Modern 3D laser engraving machines for glass are equipped with high-speed and precision scanners, and advanced software that allow them to be used in particular to produce elegant advertising materials since the laser allows you to engrave photos, filigree designs, on glass. characters and logos.

For its part, 3D laser engraving on plexiglass is used to customize gadgets in a unique and elegant way. Laser engraving on Plexiglas is also usually carried out with CO2 laser machines which, thanks to the effect of heat, act on the material creating the desired designs.

Areas of use for 3D laser processing

The sectors in which 3D laser processing are used are many. The flexibility and versatility of 3D laser cutting make this technique ideal for sectors such as automotive, engineering, the creation of aerial and naval prototypes and more generally for the transport sector.

3D technology allows you to model components and supports also in other areas such as household appliances, electrical and electronic sectors, construction and furniture.

This type of processing is also ideal in areas related to the world of fashion, such as jewelry, while the 3D surface laser engraving allows you to mark different elements not only on two but also on three dimensions, greatly facilitating the task of those operators dealing with mechanical micromachining and the mold sector.

For further information read -> Laser Engraving on Jewels: speed, precision and efficiency

The close collaboration and synergy between the various industrial sectors and the manufacturers of laser machinery has allowed the birth of technical solutions that could not even be imagined until a few years ago and the future seems to have other interesting surprises in store.

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