Lüneburg, Germany - Users of laser cutting systems often ask if it is possible to cut at a slant or to cut materials to mitre. This question arises time and again for point of sale (POS) materials, such as in acrylic displays and in case of machining sandwich or lightweight foam boards in particular.
Eurolaser, a provider of CO2 laser cutting technology, has one answer. The company’s laser is configured to meet the material surface at a 90 degree angle. However, it is also possible to install diverse tools from Swiss maker Zund and thus significantly extend the machining range and create slanting cutting edges as well.
For example, the material can be cut at an angle of 45 degrees with the tool positioned at a slant, which means a wedge can be cut out. The wedge in turn enables the material to be “bent” into a 90 degree angle. The outer top layer is not damaged so that a perfect outer edge is created. This way users can cut sandwich and lightweight boards to mitre.
Acrylic and other solid materials are furnished with a V-groove (see figure at top) with a special milling cartridge. In this way, bevels (slanted surfaces on the workpiece edges; see figure directly below) and counterbores (see figure at bottom) can be created.
Typical materials are sandwich boards, lightweight foam boards, solid board, acrylic, and wood.
The process is typically intended for exhibition stands and store construction, promotional stands and displays, mounts, and model making.
With the tools installed in parallel to the laser, eurolaser offers a good and efficient alternative. The machining range will be extended, and it will additionally be possible to process materials that are not suited to the laser.
Source: http://www.eurolaser.com/service/faq/can-i-also-cut-at-a-slant-with-the-laser/
David Belforte | Contributing Editor
David Belforte (1932-2023) was an internationally recognized authority on industrial laser materials processing and had been actively involved in this technology for more than 50 years. His consulting business, Belforte Associates, served clients interested in advanced manufacturing applications. David held degrees in Chemistry and Production Technology from Northeastern University (Boston, MA). As a researcher, he conducted basic studies in material synthesis for high-temperature applications and held increasingly important positions with companies involved with high-technology materials processing. He co-founded a company that introduced several firsts in advanced welding technology and equipment. David's career in lasers started with the commercialization of the first industrial solid-state laser and a compact CO2 laser for sheet-metal cutting. For several years, he led the development of very high power CO2 lasers for welding and surface treating applications. In addition to consulting, David was the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Industrial Laser Solutions magazine (1986-2022) and contributed to other laser publications, including Laser Focus World. He retired from Laser Focus World in late June 2022.