What to Look For in a Laser Fabric Cutting Machine
When you are looking for a laser fabric cutting machine, you have a lot of options. Whether you are looking for a single or dual head machine with dual guide rails, the CO2 or YAG laser, or a Honeycomb-like adsorption platform, you will be able to find the best machine for you. In addition, we’ll go over what to look for in a vision system and other features.
Single head or dual heads with dual guide rails
The first step in purchasing a laser fabric cutting machine is to determine your needs and make a shortlist of suitable machines. If you plan to use it for industrial purposes, single-head models are best. The other type is the dual-head laser fabric cutting machine, which features two guide rails to facilitate cutting. The single-head model is characterized by a one-piece construction and a low-heat Taiwan TBI ball screw. It can achieve high-speed feed and precision. It can also reduce labor costs by operating in parallel. Its dual-guide rails also allow it to cut the fabric with two separate laser beams, which are advantageous in many situations.
The Suny-1480T double-head laser fabric cutting machine features dual-head technology. It is designed for high-end cutting industries, with high-speed and precision. Its dual-head design means that the machine has dual power sources. It also features an imported linear guide rail and stepper motor. Its stainless Zhifeng Waterloo worktable is ideal for leather and embroidered cloth.
The beam delivery assembly mainly comprises a mirror to direct the laser light in the desired direction. A protective gas or cover covers the reflector. It is supported by a table frame. The mechanical part of the X, Y, and Z axis movements is realized by a driving part. The CNC controller controls the movement and power of the machine during the cutting process.
One-axis laser fabric cutting machine is divided into two sections: the Y-axis laser cutting assembly and X-axis drive unit. The upper part of the laser head is fixed while the other two parts are in the transmission connection. The Y-axis laser head is mounted on the Y-axis feed screw nut and is in a transmission connection.
CO2 laser
The CO2 laser is an effective way to cut fabric. It has the ability to engrave the material as well as cut it. This allows for more intricate designs and is great for the garment industry. CO2 lasers are similar to fiber-optic lasers. If you are using one of these machines, be sure to clean the fabric thoroughly before cutting it. CO2 lasers will leave some residue on the fabric that can interfere with sewing.
The price of a CO2 laser fabric cutting machine varies depending on the configuration. It can be configured according to the production needs and type of material you plan to cut. However, different configurations can come at a higher cost than one with the same functionality. Purchasing a machine from overseas can also cause extra costs. Make sure to check the features and benefits of the machine before purchasing it. Ultimately, the CO2 laser cutting machine will be a great investment.
Compared to a CO2 laser, fiber optics can cut up to five times faster than a CO2 laser. A CO2 laser machine requires ten minutes to start up and four to five hours to clean its beam path. Fiber lasers can be set to cut five times faster and produce three to four times more parts per hour. And since fiber lasers use a sealed beam path, they are also significantly less expensive to run.
The CO2 laser fabric cutting machine can cut both thin and thick materials. The intensity of the laser will determine the cut quality. A higher intensity setting will engrave, while a lower one will merely graze the surface. You should also try a few settings to get a feel for which one works best for you. You don’t want to waste any material by using the wrong settings. It is recommended to test the cutting settings so you don’t waste any material.
YAG laser
Nd:YAG lasers are capable of a wide range of cutting operations, including scribing, ablating and de-abrasive ablation. These technologies differ in their cutting process, which can be done on various materials including textiles, paper, and metals. In general, they use a single wavelength of approximately 660 nm to produce the finest cuts. A YAG laser is the most common and widely used cutting technology.
While a CO2 or fiber-optic laser will work on cotton fabric, a YAG laser is a more powerful option that can cut polyester. Polyester is a popular fabric for apparel and other applications. Although difficult to cut with traditional methods, a laser cutter can cut through it easily. Other materials like suede can be difficult to cut, such as leather. Once the fabric is properly cleaned, it can be placed on the cutting bed and allowed to dry.
Both YAG and CO2 lasers have some advantages and disadvantages. Both types are relatively mature and cost-efficient, but YAG lasers are often more powerful than CO2 lasers. As a result, it’s best to choose a machine based on your specific needs and budget. The main advantage of a YAG laser is its ability to cut materials with an unprecedented speed. Besides, it can be used on a variety of materials, including clothing, fabrics, leather, and even wood.
YAG lasers also feature automatic tracking. A YAG laser can complete a variety of tough surface cutting tasks. A CNC punch press can’t complete these types of tasks, and it’s difficult to produce a smooth and quality cut surface. A YAG laser allows for a higher quality, more uniform cut and faster turnaround time. You can even use a YAG laser to cut metals!
Honeycomb-like adsorption platform
A honeycomb-like adsorption platform for a laser fabric cutting machine offers several advantages over a conventional plate. These features include high efficiency, precise cut, high production range, and ease of operation and maintenance. The honeycomb pattern is ideal for cutting all kinds of honeycomb-patterned cardboard, such as packaging materials, poster papers, and other materials. Its high bending resistance and low weight make it a useful tool in general civil furniture production.
The Honeycomb-like adsorption platform of a laser fabric cutting machine reduces the required driving force and allows for higher material adsorption. Its linear guide ensures a precise processing of delicate designs and maintains its accuracy over time. Compared to conventional platforms, it has good adsorption performance for soft materials and minimizes the use of optical components. It also has high positioning accuracy and a large working area.
The honeycomb-like adsorption platform of a laser fabric cutting machine is a significant advantage of this technology. As the name implies, the cutting area of a honeycomb-like adsorption platform depends on the size of its working platform. Moreover, the honeycomb-like adsorption platform does not cut continuously, and must be manually placed. It is mainly suitable for small-scale production.
The Honeycomb-like adsorption platform of a laser fabric cutting machine is a highly stable and lightweight part. Compared with a conventional plate, it offers good sample running effects and is light weight. It is made of aviation honeycomb-like aluminum alloy and is characterized by high density and good air permeability. It is also equipped with safety protection switches around the beam of the machine to prevent accidents. A red light sensor system protects the operator against injuries.
Moving material through the laser
The laser fabric cutting machine has several different settings for each material. With the right settings, the laser will cut through the material with ease. It is often used to cut out the outline of parts, holes, and other features. The laser will read the lines on the material and fire the continuous laser at them. The laser is not powerful enough to cut metal, so YAG lasers are usually used. These lasers have many other advantages.
The cutting head contains a focusing lens, nozzle, and focus tracking system. The head moves along the z-axis with a servo or stepper motor. The number of heads can vary from one to four. The choice will depend on the size and pattern of the fabric, as well as the layout of the fabric. The speed at which the laser cuts the material will depend on the number of heads on the machine.
The speed of the laser is important for a variety of applications. High-speed lasers are better for cutting thicker materials, but a low-speed laser may burn the edges of the material. If the speed is too high, it may also wear out the gantry. If you want to make small, detailed cuts, you can use a lower-speed laser. Alternatively, a low-speed machine may be better for a single material.
One of the most popular types of laser fabric cutting is the flying optics system. In this system, mirrors are moved in the X and Y axes. The mirrors are pushed through the material by motors. The benefit of this design is that there is no limit on the weight of the sheet. The disadvantage of this system is that the laser beam is never perfectly parallel to the material and diverges slightly as it leaves the laser.