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Laser Cutting

Reduced costs, minimized downtime, and improved accuracy—with laser die cutting, you get all three.

Laser cutting has quickly become recognized as a more accurate, flexible solution that outperforms traditional die cutting methods in several ways. This non-contact process eliminates the need for hard tooling and is a fast, clean, cost-effective production solution which maintains an exceptional standard of quality. Laser cutting is especially ideal for applications with feature locations, tolerances, size, or material characteristics that would typically be difficult or impossible to process using a traditional die.

 

By eliminating tooling, laser die cutting can reduce costs and improve accuracy. Because laser cutting is an entirely digital process, pattern changes are simple, requiring only edits to drawing files without any downtime for setup or die creation. Other advantages include:

 

 

Laser cutting has virtually unlimited applications and can be used to process a wide variety of papers, plastics, textiles, and thin metals.

 

Laser Cutting Applications:

 

 

 

 

 

Small and Large Volume Laser Cutting Production

Creating dies can be costly and time consuming so when it comes to low volume or personalized jobs laser cutting is often a more efficient and cost-effective solution. As opposed to using a metal die, laser cutting only requires a vectorized digital file. Working from a digital file not only reduces the cost and storage issues associated with metal dies, but it also makes the design production-ready instantly as there is no need to wait for a die to be created. These circumstances make laser cutting a practical option for low quantity production.

When reviewing higher quantities, laser cutting has an advantage over die cutting in terms of pattern complexity and variable data processing. In most cases, laser cutting would not be a cost-effective alternative to die cutting for high volume production of one basic shape or pattern. However, if the design involves extensive and complex detail, or tolerances that are unattainable with metal dies, then laser cutting is more ideal for high volume production applications. Additionally, because of our digital technology, LaserSharp® laser cutting systems can process variable data on-the-fly, making high volume runs of variable patterns simple and fast.

 

Laser Cutting Digital Flexibility

Die production and storage is time consuming and costly. And once a die is created, the design is static and revisions require downtime to create new dies. In contrast, because the laser converting process is completely digital and utilizes vector files to guide the processing of the laser, pattern changes are simple and only require edits to drawing files, decreasing system downtime. Laser cutting can also be combined with other laser processes such as perforating, scoring, kiss-cutting, etching, and ablating, resulting in finished pieces in less time. Production speed is dependent on material composition, laser source, and die line length. 

 

Easier to Convert Difficult Materials

Because our LaserSharp® technology is a non-contact processing method, difficult to convert materials such as abrasives and adhesives are processed more accurately without the drawbacks associated with conventional tooling. The laser converting process is able to control adhesive flow and build-up, resulting in increased part quality. Adhesive layers are cut at controlled depths and the downtime associated with cleaning adhesive buildup is eliminated. Additionally, abrasive materials are often problematic to process because they quickly dull metal dies which consequently need to be replaced often. Conversely, our low maintenance laser systems do not require consumables and eliminate the issue of tool wear.

 

Laser Cut Musical Card

 

Laser Cutting Systems & Services

LasX can help you build entire laser cutting systems for your unique production needs or can integrate laser modules into your existing equipment.

 

Additionally, our converting services teams will laser cut your materials in-house, offering cost-effective contract production for both small and large volume runs.

 

Benefits of Laser Die Cutting:

  • Unlimited cutting paths with no shape limitations
  • Smoothly contoured lines free of jagged edges
  • Achieve small, intricate, or complex patterns at high accuracies
  • Non-contact processing method eliminates tool wear
  • No die lead times, storage, or costs

 

Contact us to learn more about laser cutting equipment and services.