Although the first industrial machine was
introduced in 1988 by a USA based company called EPILOG, laser cutting and
etching machines are relatively new in schools and colleges. Laser cutters/etching machines are capable of very accurate work as a laser is used
to etch or cut material precisely. They can be used in the cutting/ shaping of
precise parts for prototype architectural models and etching a range of
materials such as glass, marble, woods, plastic and even stainless steel.
A framed engraving of a family coat of arms is
shown below. Inside the wood frame is a small sheet of glass and the coat of
arms has been engraved/etched into the top surface using a EPILOG laser cutter
/ engraver. Before the introduction of laser cutters this process would have
taken a considerable amount of time and the coat of arms would have been
engraved by a skilled craftsperson, using a range of sophisticated glass
engraving tools.
The laser cutter / engraver uses a laser ‘beam’ to etch the shapes to precisely the correct depth. The laser machine takes a fraction of the time to manufacture a piece of work of this type compared to traditional methods.
The laser cutter / engraver uses a laser ‘beam’ to etch the shapes to precisely the correct depth. The laser machine takes a fraction of the time to manufacture a piece of work of this type compared to traditional methods.
LASER CUTTING STEEL PLATE
More
examples of objects engraved / cut using a laser cutter/etching machine are
shown below.
A typical Laser Cutter / Etching Machine is shown
below. The example shown is no larger than a typical photocopier. A vacuum bed
holds the work to cut/ engraved securely and the lens system directs the laser
as it cuts / etches the material.
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