Laser Equipment in the Sign Industry

In the early days of industrial laser equipment, only large, well-established companies could afford it. However, in recent years, decreasing prices have made laser equipment accessible to medium-sized and even small companies. When it comes to laser equipment for the sign industry, we are experts!

Laser Welders:

Traditional welding techniques, such as MIG, TIG, and arc welding, have long been the dominant methods in the industry. While effective, these methods often require highly skilled operators, produce significant heat distortion, and demand extensive post-processing. In contrast, handheld laser welders provide a superior alternative, eliminating many of these drawbacks while enhancing productivity.

At  Ascent, we introduced a 2000W fiber laser welder ($20,000) capable of welding aluminum from 0.030” to 0.27”. In less than four hours, we can teach an operator with no prior experience how to weld 0.030” aluminum.

Our laser cooling system features a revolutionary refrigerated heat pump, allowing the laser to operate continuously without interruption, thereby eliminating the need for water or air cooling.

The torch, the industry’s lightest, Features a dual wire feeder for bridging gaps when needed.

 

One limitation of the handheld laser welder is its inability to weld small channel letters. To address this, Ascent introduced the QCW Fiber Handheld Laser ($25,000).

The perfect solution for small to medium channel letters.

QCW (Quasi-Continuous Wave) laser welding utilizes a high-peak-power laser to weld materials using short pulses. This method offers several advantages, including a minimized heat-affected zone and greater flexibility compared to continuous wave (CW) laser welding.

A QCW laser can operate in both continuous wave and high-peak-power pulse modes, providing peak power up to ten times the average power.

Advantages of QCW Laser Welding:

• 300W is equivalent to 3000W of other laser types.
• Features a pulse laser beam, ideal for the narrow strokes of channel letters.

QCW lasers deliver energy in pulses, allowing the material to cool between pulses. This approach reduces thermal input and minimizes the heat-affected zone, making it suitable for thin materials.

The reduced thermal input makes QCW welding ideal for thin materials, where excessive heat can cause distortion or damage. It is effective for aluminum (from 0.020” to 0.063”) and stainless steel (up to 0.040”) and can also be used with painted coils.

 

                                                                                                                                 

Laser cutters:

Laser cutters are typically categorized into two types: CO2 laser sources for cutting non-metals and Fiber lasers for cutting metals.

However, most companies cannot afford a fiber laser cutter due to its high cost and the large area required.

 

Ascent introduced the Dual Gantry CO2 and Fiber Laser Cutter ($60,000)

• Separate gantries for CO2 and fiber lasers, allowing for the simultaneous processing of two different materials.
• CO2 laser at 500W and fiber laser at 3000W.
• Capable of cutting a diverse range of materials, including metals, acrylic, and wood.
• Working area of 5’x10’.

This revolutionary machine is ideal for sign companies. It can cut a wide range of materials, including acrylic, wood, aluminum, and stainless steel.

There is no need for two different machines, saving real estate space.

 

                                                         

 

Safety Concerns:

Traditional welding requires adherence to safety procedures, and the same applies to laser equipment.

Following basic safety protocols is essential for the safe operation of industrial lasers.

Class 4 (IV) lasers are hazardous to the eyes and can also cause skin burns.

Ascent recommends the following:

• Safety goggles (OD 7 or 8 for wavelengths of 1064 nm) and/or a fiber laser welding helmet, which are provided with Ascent machines.
• Wear gloves and protect your arms, neck, and any exposed skin while welding.
• Follow the Laser Safety Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) supplied by Ascent.
• Ensure the area where the machine is located is enclosed with partitions or solid walls. Special laser partitions can be purchased from Ascent, and the laser cutter can be equipped with optional housing.
• For managing fumes and dust generated during welding, Ascent recommends using fume extraction systems.