What’s the difference of CNC router and laser cutter?

What’s the difference of CNC router and laser cutter?

When speaking of the difference between a laser cutter and a CNC router, the most obvious difference is that the laser cutter uses the laser melting method to cut. And the CNC router uses digital technology to control the cutter or the laser head and ultrasonic head to engrave. The laser cutter may be a CNC router. The CNC router can also be installed with a laser head for cutting, so these two are intersecting. XTlaser will tell you the specific difference between laser cutter and CNC engraving machine.
Although both use CNC systems, they work differently and have different mechanical structures. In contrast, the structure of the CNC router is relatively simple. Through the control of the computer numerical control system, the CNC router automatically selects the appropriate cutting tool and engraves on the x, y, and z axes of the machine tool.

According to the specific use situation, the laser cutter is divided into different special machines. The structure of the special machine is roughly the same. The laser source emits laser light. The CNC system controls the laser plug stepper motor to move the laser head, mirror, lens, etc. on the optical element. Move the focus on the X, Y, and Z axes of the machine tool to ablate the material.
The biggest difference between a laser cutter and a CNC router is that the tool of the laser cutter is a complete set of optical elements, and the tool of the CNC router is a carving knife of various entities.

Other differences:
First, laser cutter will do cutting and polishing once, and CNC needs twice.
Second, the diameter of the laser beam is only 0.01mm, the numerical control tool is 20 times larger, and waste is more.
Third, the laser speed is fast, and the laser speed is 2.5 times faster than the CNC router.
Fourth, laser energy consumption is lower than CNC router.
Fifth, the laser is noise-free, pollution-free and highly efficient; CNC machine tools are noisy and will pollute the environment.
Six, the laser is non-contact and does not need to fix the workpiece. The CNC is contact processing and needs to fix the workpiece.
Last, the laser can process soft materials, such as cloth, leather, film, etc.; CNC cannot process because it cannot fix workpiece.

Therefore, in the industries of advertising signs, plexiglass products, garment processing, leather processing, product identification, etc., the advantages of laser cutter is obvious and application is wider and wider.

XT laser is manufacturer of laser marking/engraving/cutting/welding/cleaning machines  since 2004, any inquiry, feel free to contact us:

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