Laser Sharp: 3 Applications for Small-Scale Laser Cutting

29 March 2017
 Categories: Industrial & Manufacturing, Blog

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While it may sound like a big and unwieldy piece of equipment used only in large-scale manufacturing, laser cutting is actually a process that can be utilised for a wide variety of purposes.  The only limits to their use are the specific dimensions of the machine you use.  Of course, if you are looking to produce at an industrial speed and volume, then you'll need a larger piece of equipment.  For small detail work and manual production, however, these machines can be really efficient.  Here are three ways you can use a laser cutter machine that may help in your small-scale manufacturing process.

Piecework

If you construct your product together from a pattern of several flat pieces, then a laser cutter could seriously reduce the time spent on each product. You'll simply program the machine to make those cuts, and it'll do all the hard work for you.  No longer will manual saws or human error be there to slow you down.  Since laser cutters are extremely accurate and quick, you'll be able to streamline your process so there's no wastage of time, labour or materials.

Engraving

These machines are certainly capable of more delicate work, and don't even need to cut all the way through your material.  As such, they're ideal for engraving or adding decorative detail to your item.  The only limitation is your creativity; it can be as simple as adding a few lines of text to add your manufacturing details or batch code or as intricate as a filigree design on a wooden photo frame.  Again, you'll save both time and wasted materials, as the machine will perform the exact same cuts every time—no slipping hands or distracted employees.

Marking

Some laser cutting machines are capable of having the intensity adjusted so that they mark your material rather than cut through them.  This can be used in much the same way as the engraving—to add detail or information to your item.  Because marking doesn't require making full cuts, you can create really delicate, high-resolution designs on your materials that will be readable and look great.

So long as you use materials that work with the specific piece of equipment you've purchased—wood, paper, metals and plastics can all be accommodated—then using a laser cutter is likely to seriously improve your entire workload.  You can press a button and let the machine do all the hard work for you, leaving you with additional time to complete other work while it runs.