APPLICATIONS AND INDUSTRIAL BENEFITS OF LASER CUTTING

21, Jul. 2025

 

APPLICATIONS AND INDUSTRIAL BENEFITS OF LASER CUTTING

Laser cutting is used to optimize processes, applications, and production across a wide range of industries including electronic, automotive, medical, metalworking, woodworking, printing, packaging, HVAC and other specialty industries.

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When you need just-in-time manufacturing, laser technology is the ideal converting solution. Machines with this capability increase the accuracy of your overall production by ensuring clean lines and precise detailing on your finished products. You may want to consider laser cutting if you are currently converting components from the following materials:

  •          Label Stock & PSA
  •          Laminates
  •          VHB Tapes
  •          Films
  •          Foils
  •          Papers
  •          Foams
  •          Rubber
  •          Coated Fabrics
  •          Mats
  •          Double Sided Adhesives
  •          Gaskets
  •          Plastics
  •          Textiles
  •          Difficult Abrasive Materials
  •          Aggressive Adhesive Materials

How Laser Cutting Works

Laser cutting directs the output of a high-power laser through optics to cut and engrave materials into programmable designs and dimensions. Precision laser cutting can be used to produce through holes, slots, and diameters that are significantly smaller (and at tighter tolerances) than results generated by other converting processes. It is a dieless process, meaning no hard tools are needed, eliminating expensive and time-consuming die costs.

Key Capabilities and Functions of Laser Cutter Systems

  •          Perforating
  •          Cutting
  •          Seaming
  •          Etching
  •          Engraving
  •          Welding
  •          Marking
  •          Drilling

As it makes its way across the material, the laser vaporizes material in the beam path, leaving an edge with a high-quality surface finish, eliminating the need for complex extraction methods to remove scrap and smaller pieces usually left behind by other cutting machine. This method of material modification allows you to quickly change designs while also improving the quality of finished parts.

Types of Laser Cutting Processes

Ablation of Material – Material ablation is a process that virtually removes the material completely from the top to the bottom of the surface or partially from the top of the material to a pre-set specified depth.

Laser Die Cutting – Laser die cutting is the complete removal and separation of the material from the top surface to the bottom surface along a designated path generated by the CNC or G-Code of the pattern to be cut.  Laser die cutting can also include processes like kiss-cutting, slitting, perforation, through-cuts and/or slug removal.

Laser Engraving – Laser engraving is the process by which material is removed from the top surface down to a specified depth.  By continuously varying the laser power, laser engraving can be used for textures, images, bar-codes, text and numbers.

Laser Marking – Laser marking, which is essentially engraving the material, is a broader category of methods to leave marks on an object to produce a readable identification or information such as a barcode, lot code, serial number or a part number.  This technique does not involve the use of inks, nor does it involve tooling which contact the engraving surface & eventually wear out, giving it a significant advantage over alternative engraving or marking technologies where inks or tools have to replaced regularly.

Combined Processes – Digital laser processing is a proven, viable solution for processing a wide variety of materials.  The multiple processes referenced above can be combined to total cut, kiss-cut and engrave or mark various substrates in roll or sheet form in both continuous, start-stop and tracking models.

Advantages of Your Business Investing in a Laser Cutter

  • 100% Savings in Tooling Costs
  • 40% Increase in Material Yields
  • 40% Reduction in Job Changeovers
  • Increased Flexibility in Designs
  • Increased Precision Levels & Edge Quality
  • Increased Depth of Cut Control
  • Total Cut, Kisscut & Engrave on Same Layout
  • Increased Productivity on Short and Long Runs
  • Ease of Use and Increased Throughput

Laser Cutters to Keep in Mind

The Guidolin Girotto RO Series galvanometer laser cutting systems have revolutionized the way converters and application specialists conduct their manufacturing processes.  A Galvanometer Laser is typically used for cutting thinner substrates, less than 3mm in thickness.  The laser beam is delivered by two rotating mirrors instead of a gantry system, allowing the galvanometer laser to function at a level ten times faster than a flatbed laser. Here are a few models to keep in mind if you want an extra boost in your production and product quality.

RO 175 EL – The RO EL Series is a cost-effective, entry level laser die cutting solution. With a 175mm working width, this machine is engineered to handle anything from labels, to adhesive tapes, double sided adhesives, VHB tape, textiles, paper, foam, rubber, silicone, PU, PE, PET, polycarbonates, polyethylene, polypropylene, abrasives and similar products.

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RO 250 – The RO 250 model has a useful working width of 250mm and is the ideal solution for converters that demand versatility, combining our traditional RO series rotary converting platform with a laser cutting module. The machine’s combination of functionality allows for new systems to be installed on the machine without modifying the original set-up—expanding your overall variety of solutions.

RO 350 – The RO 350 series is a highly-efficient CO2 “Self-Refilling” laser source, ideal for applications on adhesives, plastics, graphics, overlays, labels and similar materials. It offers the most flexibility and production throughput for materials up to 350mm in width.  Depending on the application, the speeds of the RO 350 can reach up to 100 Mts/Min.

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Advantages of laser cutting compared to traditional cutting techniques

Advantages of laser cutting compared to traditional cutting techniques

A modern solution for precise and efficient material processing

In modern manufacturing, choosing the right cutting technology is crucial for efficiency, quality and cost-effectiveness. Laser cutting, CNC milling and waterjet cutting are three established processes that each offer their own advantages. This article highlights the particular advantages of laser cutting compared to the traditional cutting techniques of CNC milling and waterjet cutting and shows why laser cutting has proven to be superior in many areas.

What is laser cutting?

Laser cutting is a non-contact process in which a focused laser beam is used to cut materials with high precision. The laser beam is strongly bundled by a focusing lens, which melts, vaporizes or burns material at the cutting point. Typical materials that are processed with laser cutters are metal, wood, acrylic, textiles and many more.

Precision and accuracy

One of the most outstanding advantages of laser cutting is its exceptional precision. The laser beam can cut fine details and complex geometries that are difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional techniques. This is particularly important in applications that require the highest accuracy, such as in electronics or medical technology. While CNC milling can also be precise, it is often less flexible when it comes to processing complex shapes. With waterjet cutting, certain materials can be slightly blurred, which is avoided with laser cutting.

Advantages in detail:

  • Tightest tolerances and finest details: Laser cutting enables cuts with very tight tolerances that hardly require any post-processing, even for high-precision applications.
  • Smoother cut edges without post-processing: The concentrated energy of the laser produces smooth cut edges that require no additional post-processing. This saves time and costs.
  • Less material deformation due to minimal heat influence: The low heat influence zone of the laser cutter minimizes the deformation of the material, which is particularly advantageous for thermally sensitive materials.

Speed and efficiency

Laser cutting offers a remarkable cutting speed that is often higher than traditional techniques. This leads to a significant increase in productivity and a reduction in processing times. While waterjet cutting is also precise, it is often slower, especially with thicker materials. CNC milling requires more time and careful programming for complex geometries and fine details.

Advantages in detail:

  • Faster processing times: The high speed of the laser reduces the time it takes to cut, which increases production efficiency.
  • Higher productivity and throughput: Companies can increase their production capacity with fast laser cutting and process more orders in less time.
  • Efficient use of materials thanks to narrow kerfs: The precision of the laser makes it possible to use materials more efficiently, as the narrow kerfs produce less waste.

Versatility and flexibility

Laser cutting can process a wide range of materials and material thicknesses, from metals and plastics to wood and composites. This versatility makes it an attractive choice for various industries. CNC milling and waterjet cutting are also versatile, but often limited by the type of tools and water consumption.

Advantages in detail:

  • Processing a wide range of materials: laser cutters can precisely cut materials such as steel, aluminum, plastic, wood and even some types of glass.
  • Flexible adjustment to different material thicknesses: The laser can easily cut through thin films to thick sheets by simply adjusting the settings.
  • Possibility to realize complicated and individual designs: Due to the high precision and flexibility of the laser, even the most complex designs and customer-specific requirements can be implemented.

Processing thick materials

While laser cutting is particularly efficient for thin and medium-thick materials, waterjet cutting can offer advantages for very thick materials. CNC milling, on the other hand, can also be effective with thick and hard materials, but often requires longer processing times. Laser cutting can also process thick materials with high precision, but its efficiency depends heavily on the power of the laser.

Advantages in detail:

  • Efficient processing of thin and medium-thickness materials: laser cutters are ideal for materials up to a certain thickness, where they can make full use of their precision and speed.
  • High precision even with thicker materials: Even with thicker materials, the laser can make precise cuts while maintaining the integrity of the material.
  • Minimal thermal stress on the material: The low thermal impact ensures that even thick materials are not excessively deformed or damaged.

Environmental and cost aspects

Laser cutting is often more energy efficient and produces less waste compared to traditional techniques. It does not require additional tools that wear out and need to be replaced, as is the case with CNC milling. Waterjet cutting consumes large amounts of water and abrasives, which can cause additional costs and environmental impact. However, the operating costs of a laser cutter can vary depending on the application and material.

Advantages in detail:

  • Lower operating costs: laser cutting systems require less maintenance and wearing parts compared to waterjet or CNC milling systems.
  • Less material waste: Thanks to the high precision of the laser, less waste is left over, which increases material efficiency and reduces costs.
  • No additional tool costs: As the laser beam is the cutting tool and does not wear out, there are no costs for replacement tools.
  • No chemical waste materials: Unlike processes using abrasive agents, no problematic waste materials are produced.
  • High automation options: Laser cutting can be excellently integrated into automated manufacturing processes, which further increases productivity.
  • Versatility: A laser can be used to process a wide variety of materials and geometries, which can eliminate the need to invest in multiple machines.

Laser cutting offers a number of advantages over traditional cutting techniques such as CNC milling and waterjet cutting, including greater precision, faster processing times, greater versatility and reduced environmental impact. These advantages make it a preferred method in many industrial applications and contribute to the efficiency and quality of manufacturing processes. Companies that invest in modern laser cutting technology can benefit significantly from these advantages and improve their competitiveness in an increasingly demanding market.

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