CO2 Laser Cutting

The laser has given manufacturing industry a new tool. When the laser beam is focused it can generate one of the world's most intense energy sources, more intense than flames and arcs, though similar to an electron beam. In fact the intensity is such that it can vaporise most known materials. The laser material processing industry has been growing swiftly as the quality, speed and new manufacturing possibilities become better understood. In the fore of these new technologies is the process of laser cutting. Laser cutting leads because it is a direct process substitu­ tion and the laser can usually do the job with greater flexibility, speed and quality than its competitors. However, to achieve these high speeds with high quality con­ siderable know how and experience is required. This information is usually carefully guarded by the businesses concerned and has to be gained by hard experience and technical understanding. Yet in this book John Powell explains in lucid and almost non­ technical language many of these process wrinkles concerning alignment, cornering, pulsing, water jets, material properties, cutting speeds as well as tricks with surface coating and much much more. It is a book which managers and technicians in laser job shops and laser processing facilities would be foolish not to read. This second edition of C02 Laser Cutting, examines, and in places updates, the whole subject of co2 laser cutting. As with the original, the style is conversational and readable, with mathematical treatments kept to a minimum to give it its uniquely accessible feel. The discussion covers the cutting of metals and non metals on a wide range of levels, from practical advice and processing parameters to explanations of the physical and chemical reactions which take place in the cut zone. Materials covered include steels, wood, ceramics, polymers and non-ferrous alloys, and the information is taken from an extensive range of experimental and commercial results. The cutting process is dealt with in two ways: Practically - for the hands-on operator. Technically - for the researcher or scientist. The user-friendly yet informative style makes this both a practical handbook and research textbook, and is invaluable to anyone concerned with laser cutting, from job shop machine operators to post graduate researchers This second edition of CO[subscript 2] Laser Cutting examines the whole subject of CO[subscript 2] laser cutting. As with the original, the style is conversational and readable, with mathematical treatments kept to a minimum to give it a uniquely accessible feel. The discussion covers the cutting of metals and non-metals on a wide range of levels, from practical advice and processing parameters to explanations of the physical and chemical reactions which take place in the cut zone. Materials covered include steels, wood, ceramics, polymers and non-ferrous alloys, and the information is taken from an extensive range of experimental and commercial results. The cutting process is dealt with in two ways: practically - for the hands-on operator, and technically - for the researcher or scientist Front Matter....Pages i-xviii The Basic Principles....Pages 1-22 Laser Cutting Steels....Pages 23-70 Cutting Non-ferrous Metals....Pages 71-90 Cutting Non-metals....Pages 91-115 Setting Up for Cutting....Pages 117-152 Troubleshooting....Pages 153-164 Safety Guidelines....Pages 165-172 Alternative Cutting Methods....Pages 173-187 The Physics and Design of CO 2 Lasers....Pages 189-203 Some Aspects of the Physics and Chemistry of Laser Cutting....Pages 205-229 Bibliography and Further Reading....Pages 231-239 Back Matter....Pages 241-248