Laser cutting is primarily a thermal process in which a focused laser beam is used to melt material in a localized area. A co-axial gas jet is used to eject the molten material and create a kerf. Continuous cutting is achieved by moving the laser beam or workpiece under CNC control. The Improvements in accuracy, edge squareness and heat input control mean that the laser process is increasingly replacing other profiling cutting techniques, such as plasma and oxyfuel. Some of these laser cutting advantages include:

• Narrow kerf widths of straight edges and generally good appearance;
• Minimum heat affected zones adjacent to the cut edge;
• Minimum heat resulting in minimal distortion of the workpiece;
• Fine control of average power eliminates excess burning during acceleration and deceleration;
• No mechanical distortion of the workpiece;
• No cutting tool wear, maintenance or replacement.

Everfoton has developed several high-power fiber lasers (1.0-30kW) in both single and multi-mode for cutting ferrous and non-ferrous metals.  Laser and processing parameters have been developed to cut different materials and thicknesses with different assist gases i.e., oxygen, air, nitrogen and argon. The cutting quality in terms of cut speed, cut edge appearance, burr formation and kerf width has been analyzed. The photographs show laser cutting edges of various materials and assist gases, including thin aluminum sheet cut at high speed (>53 m /min).