CO2 Lasers
What is a CO2 laser?
CO2 lasers are used in a variety of ways in manufacturing and have found their place among industry and private use. What is a CO2 laser actually? The following information will help break down this type of laser system:
- Invented by Kumar Patel in 1964
- Uses Carbon Dioxide gas(CO2)
- Beam falls under the infrared spectrum.
- Works by passing a current in vacuum with the gas, this is then focused by mirrors to single point.
- Beam diameter -depends on the system used. .100um to 20mm for example.
- Good for cutting insulating material such as plastics, paper, wood- Non-conductive materials.
- Not suitable for conductive or shiny materials.
- Used in healthcare for “resurfacing” therapies of human skin as well.
- Used in industry to cut many materials- Tolerance depends on system and power, but can be +/- .005” mils.