Laser Cutting

Laser cutting is a two-dimensional machining process in which material removal is obtained by focusing a highly intense laser beam on the workpiece. The laser beam heat subsequently melts/vaporizes the workpiece throughout the thickness or depth of the material thus creating a cutting front. The molten material is expelled from the cutting front by a pressurized assist gas jet. The assist gas, in addition to facilitating the material removal by melt expulsion, may also help in enhanced material removal through chemical reactions such as oxidation of the material. The cutting of the material then proceeds by the movement of the cutting front across the surface of the material. This is carried out by the motion of either focused beam and/or the workpiece relative to each other.