Laser processing is one of the non-contact advanced processing technologies based on thermal energy. It has high processing speed, low material deformation, low processing noise, small cutting slit, high efficiency, high precision, and is conducive to the realization of digital processing. Therefore, it is called the "universal processing tool of the 21st century" in various engineering material processing fields. Currently, laser processing has been widely researched and applied in the fields of metal, ceramic, plastic products and wood processing. Domestic wood resources are relatively scarce, especially the precious wood resources. Facing the increasing demand of wood, how to improve the comprehensive utilization rate of wood and increase the added value of products has become an important issue in wood processing and manufacturing. The use of advanced laser processing and manufacturing technology can improve the output of processed products and improve the surface bonding and finishing properties after processing, which is of great significance to reduce the contradiction between the supply and demand of wood resources and the growth of demand, and to improve the quality of processed products.
So what are the main applications of laser technology in wood processing?
First, Wood laser cutting
Laser cutting is widely used in laser processing technology, its speed, refinement and adaptability, fine cut, small heat-affected zone, in the cutting process can achieve automatic control. Laser cutting technology uses non-contact processing, which can minimize processing deformation, do not let the board produce cracks, reduce material waste; and laser processing speed, high precision, smooth kerf, generally do not require further follow-up treatment. These are the traditional cutting method can not be compared, relatively speaking, the board laser cutting machine is still very high cost performance.
Second, wood laser engraving
Laser engraving of wood materials very promising surface decoration technology of wood, value-added to provide an important technical means of wood surface. Wood laser engraving is mainly high power laser irradiation on the surface of wood products, the light energy into heat energy, through the transient heat flow to produce cracking and charring. Thus eliminating the surface of the local wood materials, the formation of software to provide patterns carved patterns and text, etc.
Third, laser heat treatment
Wood surface laser heat treatment, one of the wood modification methods, is currently on the market, mainly by the laser heat radiation effect, the surface of the wood will be treated to change its internal properties and appearance changes in physical and chemical changes. At present, laser heat treatment can mainly be used for wood surface color, surface wettability improvement, surface coating material performance and anti-corrosion and mildew new energy increase, etc.
Fourth, laser marking
Early laser processing has been widely used in the cutting and welding process. As the pulse width from nanosecond to femtosecond laser light source, in recent years, has been applied to other mechanical processing, such as marking, marking, selective ablation and material, such as metal, ceramic, polymer and wood surface engraving, etc.. The principle of laser marking, laser engraving is the same, which is the use of high power laser radiation to affect the surface of wood marked sexual images, text, etc.
