THE CUTTING OF GLASS USING CO2-LASER TECHNOLOGY

This paper covers the CO2 laser cutting of glass using a Ferranti MF400 CNC laser cutting machine. The paper examines the various laser cutting parameters required to generate a cut surface in glass which will require minimal post-treatment to be carried out, and also investigates the degree of geometrical intricacy that can be attempted, together with the associated limitations, in cutting 2-D glass components. The experimental procedure used to obtain the necessary information for a preliminary database on the laser cutting of glass is also detailed.