Analysis of New Cutting Techs for Roll-to-Sheet Cutting Machines: Laser vs Traditional Mechanical Cutting

In mod manuf, roll-to-sheet cutters are vital. Their cut tech devpt aids prod eff & qual. Laser & trad mech cuttings differ in princ, perf, appl range, etc.
I. Cutting Principles
1. Laser Cutting
Uses high-energy-density laser beam, focused on matl, causing melt, vaporize or ablate. Beam moves along path, blows away matl for cut. Based on photothermal effect, enables high-precision cut.
2. Traditional Mechanical Cutting
Relies on mech force. Tools like cutters/saw blades shear, saw or mill matl. In roll-to-sheet, disc cutter & milling cutter common. Disc cutter cuts via blade edge shear at high speed, milling cutter rotates & moves to remove matl.
II. Cutting Precision
1. Laser Cutting
Has extremely high prec, can reach micrometer or smaller tol. Small spot diam, cuts precisely on path, good for complex/fine patterns. E.g., in elec manuf of flex circuit boards.
2. Traditional Mechanical Cutting
Relatively low prec, generally at millimeter level. Can be improved but hard to match laser. Adequate for low-prec matls like ord packaging cardboard, but limited for high-prec parts.
III. Cutting Speed
1. Laser Cutting
Affected by matl type, thick, laser power. Faster for thin matls, slows as thick increases. E.g., thin metal sheets vs thick ones.
2. Traditional Mechanical Cutting
Has speed edge for thick matls. Disc cutter on thick paper/film rolls can be fast. For hard & thick metals like steel, mech sawing may be faster than laser.
IV. Cutting Quality
1. Laser Cutting
Good edge qual, smooth surface, small heat-affected zone. Little heat conduction. For stainless steel, no burrs/oxidation, less post-process. Good for brittle/heat-sensitive matls.
2. Traditional Mechanical Cutting
Poor edge qual, prone to burrs/uneven edges. E.g., disc cutter on paper. For metals, large heat-affected zone, affects hardness/microstructure. Can be improved by cutter design/param opt.
V. Applicable Material Range
1. Laser Cutting
Applies to many matls: metals (stainless, aluminum, etc.), non-metals (plastics, rubber, etc.), composites. Adjusts params for diff matls. Used in aerospace for carbon fiber composites.
2. Traditional Mechanical Cutting
Widely used for medium/thick metal plates. In constr for steel. Works for some low-hardness non-metals, but not for brittle ones like glass/ceramic.
VI. Equipment Cost and Operating Cost
1. Laser Cutting
High initial investment. Expensive components like laser gen, motion control, optical focus. Limited gen life, needs maint & repl. High op cost for gas/electricity. Cost decreasing, eff improving.
2. Traditional Mechanical Cutting

Low initial cost, simple structure. E.g., cheap disc cutter. Op cost mainly cutter wear/repl, power, mech maint. Cutter cost significant, esp for hard matls/long cuts.
In sum, both laser and trad mech cuttings in roll-to-sheet cutters have pros & cons. Enters should choose based on needs, matl chars, budgets for eff & qual prod. Techs may integrate & innovate in future manuf.