Laser cutting is one such technology used worldwide for cutting different materials. It can cut different materials like metal, acrylic, and wood. The whole process works by emitting a focused beam of light with the help of a moving head. In this post, we will be talking about wood laser cutting machines. Let us have a look at the below points that you need to know about a wood laser cutter:
1. Know about all the available options:
Before you pick any tool to do your job, you need to know all the options to choose the right one for your work. Not every laser is meant for cutting wood. Here are the options you will find in wood laser cutting machines:
● Diode:
Such lasers are accessible in green, red, and blue colors. However, they are considered weaker than CO2 lasers. This will be a great choice if you want to perform marking or etching on the wood because it has power constraints. Most diodes can cut only soft and thin woods.
● CO2:
CO2 lasers are available in multiple powers and sizes. They are more capable than diode lasers, especially when it comes to cutting and engraving. You will get amazing results from this type of wood cutting laser machine.
2. Check the Material:
The diode machines are not made from a very strong material, which is why they can only be used to cut thin wood. The low-density woods that can be easily cut with a diode laser include poplar and balsa. If we talk about CO2 lasers, they are much stronger than diode ones. CO2 lasers can cut dense wood, unlike diode lasers. So, you can choose the one that is suitable for your project.
3. Safety should be your first priority:
Before you directly jump into working with any machine, you should know the dangers it can cause. Lasers can burn you and can also affect your eyesight if you are not wearing proper safety equipment while using them. The blue one is known to be the most dangerous diode laser. You have to keep your eyes at least 200 meters away from it to avoid any harmful effects. On the other hand, CO2 lasers are also powerful enough to burn your retina or skin. Therefore, you should always wear a helmet and safety goggles while working on such lasers.
4. Cost:
The best part about diode lasers is that it is quite affordable. You only have to pay under $200 to get a full diode laser kit. At the same time, CO2 lasers are more expensive than diodes. It would cost you more than $500. Depending upon your budget and type of project, you can choose the right wood cutting laser for your work.
To Sum Up
Diode and CO2 lasers are the most popular wood cutting laser machines. If you are working on a small project, you can consider using diodes as it is less expensive and not very powerful. But on the contrary, if you are working on a bigger project, you should choose CO2 as it is more powerful.
