Metal Laser Cutting Guide

An Introduction to Metal Laser Cutting at FabLab

Metal Laser Cutting

Laser cutting is a process where a laser is directed by computer software to cut or engrave various types of materials. The FabLab has a high-powered Kern LaserCell system which is able to process both metal and non-metal material in sheet and cylindrical stock, on which it is able to achieve three types of outcomes:

Operation	Result
Cut	Vector lines burned through the material with a laser to create 'cuts'.
Etch	Vector lines engraved to create patterns on the material surface.
Raster	Hatched/ filled areas engraved to create solid patterns on the material surface. Slower process involving the laser moving side-to-side to create a debossed appearance.

All three outcomes can be combined in a single job to create intricate 2D parts (vector cut) with surface engraving (vector etch and solid raster).

Why Use Laser Cutting?

Laser cutting can be used in the fabrication of architectural models, site models, 1:1 prototypes, decorative objects and more. The precision and speed of laser cutting enables clean outcomes and the production of parts which can be assembled into presentation-quality models for immediate use or further fabrication and model making.

Using the Kern LaserCell enables further laser cutting capabilities such as processing larger sheets, thicker materials and cylindrical stock.