Laser Cutting – What Is It? How Does It Work?
Planning months ahead to give a woodcarver time to whittle out a variety of plaques made from wood or a sculptor to shape metal or glass into awards is a thing of the past. Technology has gifted us with the art of laser cutting, enabling hobbyists, designers, artists, and manufacturing companies to produce detailed items in a short period. Being on board with technology, we at Trophy and Medal Boutique can design and create custom trophies, awards, and plaques through laser cutting.
Laser Cutting – Computer Technology at Its Finest
A laser cutter works similarly to a printer where the image on the computer is converted into a format that can be read by the laser cutter. Working on various software systems, designers create a design that is sent to a computer. Once sent, a laser sends out a beam of intense light reflected through a series of mirrors to the cutting head whilst being guided by the computer. For the laser to cut, the focal point of the lens needs to be on the surface of the material being cut into. Depending on the material used and the desired result, the laser beam will move around and vary its focal length. The laser follows the pre-programmed guide to complete its work.
Surface Materials
The type of laser used is defined by the surface material being cut into. Industrial applications require laser cutting at higher power due to the materials and volumes of designs being cut. Lower-power lasers are used on surface materials that are thinner and potentially flammable, such as paper, wood, and some plastics.
CO2 lasers are the most commonly used as they have lower power, are relatively inexpensive, and can cut through a wide variety of materials.
Whether the laser cutting is needed for school trophies, corporate awards, or business-branded products, Trophy and Medal Boutique will make sure that they are done to your specifications and well within the required time frame.
Cuts and Creates Embedded Designs
Laser cutting isn’t exclusively for cutting out designs from different materials. Laser cutters can also be used to etch surface materials. A laser cutter is used to burn a design into the top layer of the material, creating two colour images using the etching effect. Set at much lower power, instead of a pulsing beam, a series of fine dots are created so that the laser doesn’t cut all the way through.
Saving You Time and Money
Trophy and Medal Boutique has been producing quality-designed awards, plaques, trophies, medals, and corporate branded items since 1989. Using laser cutting and laser engraving, we can produce large quantities of precious memorabilia as and when they are needed. We aim to maintain ongoing relationships with customers and welcome new ones. Contact us if you would like to enquire about our services.