Laser machining is a popular technology, not only in engineering production. The advantages of using a laser include speed, flexibility and minimal deformation of the workpiece, making it the ideal choice for a wide range of engineering applications. In our company Electroforming s.r.o. we successfully use lasers also for machining the reliefs of injection mould inserts.
What is laser machining?
Laser machining is based on the conversion of light energy into heat energy. A highly concentrated beam of light heats the surface of the material to a high temperature, the material melts and evaporates, removing the material. Laser is generally used in technologies such as welding, engraving, cutting or drilling.
Advantages of laser machining
- High precision: laser machining enables very fine details and sharp edges on the workpiece, with precision down to the micrometer. High precision is important in the production of injection mould inserts, where even small deviations can affect the final dimensions of the product.
- Speed and efficiency: laser machining is a very fast and efficient process, which reduces production time and costs.
- Wide range of materials: Lasers can machine a wide range of materials, including metals, plastics, ceramics and composite materials. This advantage allows us flexibility in the choice of materials for different applications.
- Minimal thermal impact: thanks to the high speed and precision of the laser beam, thermal impact on the surrounding material is minimised. Minimal interference is important to maintain the mechanical properties of the material and prevent deformation.
Our experience with laser machining
In our company Electroforming s.r.o. we use laser machining for the production of cavity reliefs of injection mould inserts, for marking and engraving and for the production of EDM electrodes. And how was it in the production of the matrix in the picture below? First, we designed and prepared the production process in CAD/CAM software, which allowed us to accurately plan each machining step and optimize the laser parameters. We used our 20W fibre laser for the machining. Thanks to its precision, we can create very fine details and achieve high surface quality.
Without the use of laser machining, the production of such detailed reliefs would be much more complex and time consuming. For example, the use of EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining), commonly used for the production of mould inserts, would not be efficient from a production point of view in this case.
Electroforming s.r.o.
– We meet individual requirements from development to production.
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