A laser cutter is a machine that uses a high-energy focused laser beam to cut into various plate or sheet materials to create 2-dimensional parts for both hobbyist and industrial applications. Typical materials include wood, steel, and some plastics.
Laser is an acronym for “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation” which describes the physics involved with generating laser light. While the fundamental physics of lasers remains unchanged, there are three common implementations of this technology: CO2, Fiber, and Nd:YAG lasers.
This article will describe in detail how a laser beam is generated and directed to the material for cutting, while also explaining the differences between the various laser cutting technologies.
