Laser cutting has been around for fifty years, Qualitetch have been around for twenty-five, and now you have twenty fun facts all about lasers to help you get to know this popular and innovative manufacturing process. Read on for more.
- The term “laser” has more meaning than you think; in fact, the word is an acronym for a rather impressive summary of the process. Laser: Light Amplification (by) Stimulated Emission (of) Radiation.
- There is no such thing as “a laser”. There are many, many different kinds, and each has its own specific features and purposes. They all basically work the same way though, by charging or “exciting” atoms with light and electricity; it is when the atoms are in an excited state that the necessary reaction occurs.
- The first laser cutter debuted in 1965, and it was used to drill holes for diamonds. Over the course of the next decade, it became the preferred manufacturing process in the aerospace industry.
- Light amplification, on which laser cutting is centred, was a development of microwave amplification technology, which itself was based on Albert Einstein’s work.
- Precision is paramount in manufacturing, which is why laser cutting is ideal. If you need to measure something accurately, you will be pleased to know that laser measuring is accurate to a nanometre.
- Lasers might be small, but they are mighty; the most powerful laser in the world is equal in power to the hydrogen bomb. A Californian lab created the most powerful laser on record in 1996; it was 1.25 petawatts.
- Lasers aren’t just up close and personal. A good laser of approximately 2 inches in diameter will illuminate something 1km away”¦now that is precision that goes the distance.
- Laser light is almost entirely parallel, which means the beam will not bend or diverge, at least, not in most cases.
- The moon landing was a great achievement for man and a superb demonstration of a laser’s accuracy. The Apollo 11 crew used a laser to measure the Earth’s distance from the moon, and the measurement was impressively accurate. Of course, lasers can’t be seen in space, but they are definitely a common sight here on Earth.
- Lasers hit stores in 1974 when checkouts started reading barcodes; now they are everywhere, from your TV remote to your DIY power tools. Though not quite as advanced as the lasers we use in our cutting processes, the incorporation of lasers into everyday life shows how this advanced technology has enabled development in all sectors.
- As well as the low-level lasers used in CD and DVD players, lasers of varying strengths are used in medicine, cosmetology and, of course, manufacturing.
- Not just for precision and practical purposes, lasers are used for fun. Laser tag is a popular activity for people of all ages, even though the game was originally developed as a method of training for combat.
- Laser beams can be hotter than the surface of the sun, which is why even tiny laser beams can etch serial numbers into diamonds; precision and power enough to etch the world’s hardest natural material.
- Lenses and mirrors are used to focus laser beams and concentrate the heat on the target during the laser cutting process. This enables cutting, marking and engraving to take place with ease.
- The precision of laser cutting ensures a higher quality finish because it does not cause the same damage, scuffing and clamp marks as traditional methods.
- The laser cutting process is suitable for all manner of materials; metal, plastic, leather and more. Regardless of the material though, intricate designs and clean finishes can be delivered quickly, every time.
- Laser cutting uses CAD–CAM technology, to send the designs and manufacturing instructions from the computer, straight to the machine. This gives operators, like the team here at Qualitetch, complete control of processes like metal laser cutting.
- Laser cutting isn’t technically cutting. It does cut through material if necessary, but this is done in the same way as marking the material; by burning, melting, vapourising or blowing the material away with concentrated gas. No cutting means no jagged edges, and, therefore, a better finish.
- Creating exact replicas with a cutting machine is difficult because you need to line up the exact marks each and every time. With laser precision though, programmed via the computer, you will receive identical copies each and every time.
- Laser cutting has been around for 50 years, and qualitetch.co.uk has been providing superior metalwork, photo etching, and metal laser cutting services for 25 of them. That is why we are a leader in the industry, with extensive knowledge and experience in laser cutting and more.These 20 facts are just a brief introduction to metal laser cutting. For more information on this process, as well as how it can help you, browse our site or contact us today.
