🍽️ Dinner Party Topics: 7 Laser Terms to Tell Your Friends

1. LASER—An acronym for Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Think of it as a beam of tightly focused light, so strong that it can actually cut through materials.

2. CAD—Computer Aided Design. This computerized drawing is the first stage of a part to be created by the laser. This software allows us to create an exact drawing of a part, which can be reviewed and approved by engineering before it’s manufactured. 

3. CAM—Computer Aided Manufacturing. The act of using a computer to turn a drawing (created by CAD) into a toolpath. Bonus definition: A toolpath is what a machine uses to move the tool—in this case, a laser—so it cuts the workpiece into the correct shape.

4. Tolerance—The accuracy of a CNC process, usually measured in plus-minus. Metal Works’ laser has a tolerance of approximately +/- 0.0005 inches, making laser cutting the most precise way to cut sheet and plate metal goods.

5. Fiber Laser—The newest laser manufacturing technology, fast replacing older CO2 lasers for most applications. Fiber lasers are capable of faster cutting in most materials, use less energy, and last longer than other types of lasers, resulting in savings Metal Works can pass on to our clients.

6. Feed Rate—The speed at which the laser head (emitter) moves while cutting. Faster production is always balanced with the quality of cut, but Metal Works’ laser allows for a faster feed rate than other methods of cutting.

7. Kerf—The width of a cut. A laser cuts more cleanly and with a narrower channel than any other method of cutting steel, which allows for the creation of intricate parts with very little waste material. 

Lasers are cool! Think of Metal Works’ Bystronic laser as the blaster pistol or lightsaber of the shop. Now that will really get the dinner party convo flowing.

Want to learn more about what it can do for your business? Get in touch with our team today!