Light Amplification by Stimulated

Emission of Radiation

1917 Einstein
1958 Maser Microwave
1960 Laser 1mW
1965 10W achieved by adding nitrogen
1970 Used in carton production
 Two common types of lasers used for cutting
CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) Gaseous
Nd:YAG (neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet)
Solid-State
Materials include but not limited to
Wood, Paper, Leather, Glass, Ceramic, Metals, Wax,
Plastic, and Fabric.
Many Safety Issues Involved
Protective wear
Reflective material properties
Materials which create gasses when heated (PVC)
Polyvinyl Chloride => Hydrogen Chloride
 Settings to Yield High-Quality Results
Power, Speed, Pulses Per Inch (PPI), Image Density
Optical Unit
Uses mirrors and lens system
Generates Infrared Light
Types of Machining
Operations
Vector-cut
Vector/Raster
Raster
Build-Table
Size, Height, Uses, and Limitations (Right hand rule)
Materials
Type, Size, Ability, Quality
Problems/Issues
Burning, Cracking, Shattering, and Melting
 Vector Cut:

Vector/Raster (Vector Engrave):

Raster:
 Exhaust & Air-Assist
Glasses
Clothing
Instructions
Lab-Supervisor
Food
Logs
Concerns
 Questions
Comments
Concerns
Gripes

Lets get started on the project!

 Gas is ionized
Charged with energy going through it
Molecules reach higher state of excitement
As they calm they emit high-energy photons
(particle or wave)

Laser light has four properties

Monochromatic all same frequency
Coherent As light wave changes stays the same
Comes our parallel
Intensity at a distance