Wood, acrylic, fabric, plastic, and so much more can be laser cut to their specifications. Using improved system firmware, software, laser tube design, and beam path optics, laser system manufacturers have made major improvements with the cutting ability of their systems.
Materials that were previously difficult to cut can now be cut cleanly without distortion or melting thanks to improved laser tube pulsing and control features. Achieving that flame-polished edge on acrylic is now easier than ever using improved optics and beam path design that create better beam density and spot size.
Pulsing of the laser tube when cutting is critical, and advances in system software allow the user to control laser pulsing better in tight curves and on complicated vectors. The result of these software advances is reduced or eliminated scorching from too much laser energy in a region and ultimately cleaner cutting overall.
-Mike Fruciano, Coherent