Today we will continue our topic, and we believe it will be the second last article about the difference between laser cutting and water jet cutting.

Before we go to the difference, we need to know how laser cutting machine works.

Laser cutting is a subtractive manufacturing technique. It is able to cut metarials with a focused laser. The beam is guided by mirrors. It can rely on a gas for energy or a solid fiber laser source. There is no physical contact in laser cutting process. When the laser hits the material, the generated heat burns and cuts the material sheet very precisely.

Which operations can laser cutting and waterjet cutting perform?

Co2 laser cutting machine can engrave as well as cut material, mainly for non-metal. While waterjet only allows cutting. Co2 laser engraving is an advantage if you want to directly add serial numbers, assembly marks, or simply aesthetic designs.

As for material combinations they are also to avoid with both techniques: for laser cutting, it will pose a problem if the two materials have different melting points; for waterjet cutting, there is a danger of delamination.

To sum up, both techniques are mostly used to cut 2D objects, and laser cutting can additionally perform engraving.

What kind of material and thickness can each technique cut?

Co2 laser cutting and fiber laser cutting can cut a wide range of materials. All plastic, glass, wood, and metal, even some highly reflective metals are able to cut. But all materials can be cut with waterjet cutting.

Waterjet can cut thicker objects, the optimal thickness being 10 to 50 mm. While for laser cutting, it is able to suitable for nearly all thickness, especially for thin metal.

More information, please feel free to contact:

Clara Chai     Email: xintian115@xtlaser.com     Tel: 008613335151833