Laser cutters are extremely precise cutting machines. We have CO2 laser cutters which means that they use a laser beam to melt, burn, or vaporize the material in order to engrave or cut the material.
Laser cutters work by firing a very high intensity beam of light in a laser chamber. CO2 laser cutters typically use infrared light. The beam is then directed and focused with mirrors and lenses until it reaches the material. When it reaches the material, it is extremely narrow and can cut with extreme precision.
Speed settings relate to how fast the carriage (laser) goes back and forth, whereas the power settings adjust the intensity of the laser beam. Both settings will determine how deep the engraving or cut is in the material. The speed and power settings change depending on the material being used, as well as the machine’s power. Decreasing the speed or increasing the power will create a deeper engraving or cut.
When it comes to laser cutters, raster deals with the engraving process and vector tends to deal with the (profile) cutting process. Raster engraving will use the laser cutter in normal printer-like capacity, using the beam to etch/ engrave designs on the surface of the material. Vector cutting will use the laser beam to follow vector lines and cut out the profiles of designs.