CO2 laser cutting is a type of laser cutting technology that uses a gas laser to cut through materials by emitting a powerful, focused laser beam. This method relies on a mixture of gases, primarily carbon dioxide, which is electrically stimulated to produce the laser beam. The process involves directing the laser through mirrors and a lens to focus on a specific area of the material, melting or vaporizing it to achieve the desired cut. The effectiveness of CO2 lasers in cutting various materials is due to their ability to operate at wavelengths around 10.6 nm, making them suitable for cutting, engraving, and etching tasks. The precision and smoothness of CO2 laser cutters make them ideal for projects requiring detailed cuts and minimal finishing work. (source)

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CO2 Laser companies worth checking out:

• Aeon

• xTool

• Boss

• Full Spectrum Laser

• OMTech

• Glowforge

• Thunder

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Infrared lasers are lasers have a wavelength of 1064nm. Like fiber lasers, they're also a solid-state laser that uses laser diodes to generate light. However, unlike fiber lasers, it does not employ optical fibers as the gain medium. Infrared (IR) lasers are named as such because the emitted light's wavelength falls within the infrared spectrum, ranging from 700nm to 1mm (1,000,000nm). Since the laser beam is within the infrared region, it is invisible to the human eye and has no discernable color. IR lasers can do projects such as jewelry engraving, plastic engraving, and thin metal cutting, (source)

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IR Laser companies worth checking out:

• LaserPecker

• xTool

• Atomstack

A fiber laser is a solid-state type of laser, meaning that it uses solid materials to make a beam instead of liquids or gases. The beam that comes out is extremely focused, and it works with pump laser diodes that give the laser the power to create light. A very thin optical fiber is what guides this light, which then gets absorbed and amplified into the concentrated beam. The optical fiber itself is doped, which adds a rare-earth element to it, making the process possible. Changing the doping substance, like dysprosium (2600–3400 nm), holmium (2025–2200 nm), or thulium (1900–2500 nm), will create different wavelengths. You can use fiber laser beams to cut, weld, engrave, and clean materials, although it’s mostly used on metals like carbon steel, copper, and stainless steel. You can also use it on certain plastics like acrylic and polyoxymethylene, as well as graphite (but not glass fiber, leather, ceramics, polycarbonate, ABS, HDPE, polystyrene, or polypropylene foam). (source)

 

Fiber Laser companies worth checking out:

• Raycus

• SFX

• ComMarker

• JPT

• Triumph

• Datouboss

Ultraviolet (UV) lasers emit light in the UV spectrum, typically in the range of 180 to 400 nanometers. This short wavelength gives UV lasers the ability to achieve high precision and minimal thermal impact on materials. Unlike longer-wavelength lasers, UV lasers can break molecular bonds, allowing for cold processing of materials. UV lasers come in several types, including solid-state lasers (such as diode-pumped solid-state lasers, or DPSS), gas lasers, and excimer lasers. Each type has its specific characteristics and is chosen based on the application requirements. UV lasers offer exceptional precision due to their short wavelength, which allows them to focus on a smaller spot size. This precision is ideal for creating intricate patterns, cutting thin materials, and processing delicate components without damaging surrounding areas. UV lasers can process a wide range of materials, including plastics, glass, metals, and organic materials. This versatility makes them suitable for numerous applications across different industries. (source)

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UV Laser companies worth checking out:

• ComMarker

• FSL

• Gweike

• Hunst

• HeatSign

• MECCO

Diode lasers are compact and efficient devices that use semiconductor materials to create laser light. The process begins when an electric current passes through the diode, causing electrons in the semiconductor to jump from a higher energy level to a lower one. This transition releases energy in the form of photons, which is the light we see. These photons bounce between mirrors inside the diode, amplifying the light and creating a focused laser beam.

Unlike other lasers that rely on different mediums like gas or solid-state materials, diode lasers use semiconductor materials as the active medium. Diode lasers use less electricity, making them more efficient and cost-effective. They are also smaller and easier to use. Diode lasers are known for their precision and are often used for engraving delicate or fine details on materials like wood, plastic, and so on. (source)

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Diode Laser companies worth checking out:

• xTool

• Ortur

• Wecreat

• Vevor

• Atomstack