LASER is the abbreviation of “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.
It was first theorized by Albert Einstein 1917 and eventually produced by Gordon Gould in 1957.
CO2 laser started in 1964 and the first commercially available laser cutting machine for the sheet metal industry was introduced By Strippit Inc. at the 1978 IMTS show in Chicago
The way it works:
Energy (RF or DC) is used to excite CO2 molecules trapped in a tube between a mirror and a partial mirror (output coupler). A wave length of 10.6 micrometers (invisible light) is produced and the percentage escaping from the partial mirror is used for cutting sheetmetal.
In 2008 a new type of lasers called the Fiber Laser made its debut, it has the advantage of being more efficient and completely solid state making it more reliable and less expensive to operate.
When it started, the Fiber Laser was exclusively used for light gauge applications, however today it is capable of cutting up to 1 ¼” thick plate.
The way it works:
A rare-earth element called Ytterbium is inserted inside a fiber optics cable 0.004”to 0.006” in diameter, it is excited by the white light of Light Emitting Diodes (LED) producing a 1 micrometer wave length that is used for cutting sheetmetal.
Peridot owns and daily operates 11 different laser systems in our Pleasanton CA facility used for the following processes:
- Laser Sheet Cutting
- Laser Tube Cutting
- Laser Marking
- Laser Engraving
- Laser Ablation
- Laser Welding
- Laser Drilling
- Laser Scribing
We have been in the laser processing business for 20 years and are very excited about new laser wavelengths and delivery systems will make it easier for Peridot fo satisfy increasingly demanding customer requirements. Give us a try and get used to hearing “We can do that!”