Improving Performance by Combining Laser Technologies

Laser technologies are commonly used to process a wide variety of materials into finished parts. According to Coherent, the most common industrial laser applications are "laser cutting and converting, laser welding, marking and engraving, surface treatment and rapid prototyping applications". While many of these processes are carried out individually, it is possible to use them in conjunction with one another. Combining laser cutting technologies often results in significant performance improvements.

For example, using a computerized laser cutting machine equipped with multiple cutting tools and laser marking capabilities allows you to combine laser cutting with laser marking. Instead of stopping one process and starting a second one on a separate machine, you could set up laser cutting and marking to take place on one laser cutting machine. The laser cutting machine will follow its programmed instructions, cut the plate as programmed, and select the appropriate cutting tools at the appropriate time. After fine-tuning the part as programmed, the CNC laser cutting machine can add any marks programmed into it.

Once set up, all of this can happen according to the programmed sequence--and it can happen over and over with minimal intervention. In fact, you may find a dramatic increase in performance simply by combining laser technologies.--iAbrasive report