A Hi-Tech thermal technique reserved mainly for complex contours.
A CO2 industrial laser can cut sheets up to 5 mm (0.2 in.) thickness.
The cut can be done with or without masking, but often it needs pre-drying of the sheet in order to achieve bubble-free cut edges. It can be used for cutting intricate holes and patterns cleanly and precisely.
Holes and cuts produced by a laser have slightly tapered edges with a finished appearance.
However, a laser cut in sheets thicker than 2 mm (0.08 in.) may result in scorch marks and discoloration (yellowing) of the cut edges. When a laser is used for cutting, careful consideration and treatment is required before and afterwards, to compensate for its inherent properties.
Annealing is recommended after laser cuttings, to remove the internal stresses created by the thermal process.