When’s the last time you had to shut down to wait for laser repair or maintenance? Whether you’re operating a laser out of a job shop, small business or for a larger production outfit, downtime due to equipment failure is never a good thing. Nowadays, profit margins are tighter than ever, and CO2 laser repair services aren’t always easy to access. By paying attention to
Laser systems are a large investment. Especially the good ones. And just like any other investment, laser systems come with some responsibility. Routine maintenance provides two key benefits: Keeps the laser system running properly and producing parts to the best of its ability Prolongs the life of the system components to increase ROI Paying attention to maintenance supports both the well-being of the laser machine
When you’re in the laser business, you get a lot of questions. Below, we’ve answered 10 of our most frequently asked questions. CAN A CO2 LASER CUT METAL? Yes. A properly outfitted CO2 laser can cut metal. We’ve developed a metal cutting option, which allows CO2 lasers to cut metals with relative ease. We’ve been doing it for years. HOW THICK OF MATERIAL CAN I
At Kern Laser Systems, we’ve cracked the code on combining low wattage CO2 lasers and metal cutting applications. Our customers have been doing it for years! Request a demo to see it for yourself or keep reading to learn more. Here at Kern Laser Systems, we’ve developed metal cutting technology that enables CO2 lasers of 100 to 650 watts to quickly and efficiently cut metal. This technology
Camera vision systems are nothing new. Various areas of industry have been using them since the 1980s-90s. Why? Because industrial camera systems can perform quality assurance checks and support consistency among mass produced products and components. On lasers, vision cameras go a long way in supporting quality and consistency via course correction. Here at Kern Laser Systems, we offer a machine vision camera called k-vision.
When laser cutting an acrylic sheet, the last thing you want to see is an uneven cutting edge or surface — or even worse, your cutting kerf turning white while processing colored acrylic. Armed with a few quick tips, anyone can increase their skills in cutting thick acrylic with a laser cutter. Acrylic is one of the top materials chosen for laser processing. That’s partly because
When it comes to cutting or marking metal, there are multiple options to choose from, the two we carry are CO2 and fiber laser systems. Our fiber lasers are going to be a good choice when you’re looking to cut thicker metals and when you want to operate at faster speeds. However, if what you’re looking to accomplish is to cut thinner gauged metals,such as
When it’s done well, 3D laser engraving yields stunning results. Here’s an inside look at the process of 3D wood laser engraving, along with some examples of what others have created. First, let’s discuss how 3D engraving is different from surface engraving. WOOD LASER ENGRAVING: SURFACE VS 3D Surface engraving is a way to mark or etch materials, and it relies on a lighter wattage.
The COVID-19 crisis has placed intense pressure on companies as we strive to maintain (and potentially future-proof) bottom-line revenue amidst possible shutdowns, corporate mandates, and operational changes. As the pandemic is teaching us, unique challenges require unique solutions as well as pivoting where required. At Kern Lasers, we’re always impressed with the work our customers do and appreciate where our efforts help them achieve theirs. Now, more
MN Laser Technology Family Business Kern brothers combine two related laser-tech companies with growing international market From their headquarters in rural Wadena, Kern Laser Systems and Kern Technologies are family businesses that have partnered with national players as large as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, NASA, and the U.S. military. They even have an international presence in Australia, the United Arab Emirates, and Japan. “We have a machine in every continent
We hope this article helps you better understand the purge requirements of your laser system. With proper purge gas setup and consideration, your lasers performance and lifetime will be improved. WHEN TO PURGE Kern’s 250 watt and greater laser systems require a purge gas connection. This includes Kern’s CO2 and fiber laser systems. WHY PURGE? The purge gas serves two ultimate purposes. First, is prevents
I can only imagine what it was like a hundred years ago. I often find myself captivated by old technology, rich landscapes, and unique faces as I stare into timeworn magazines. Why do we love images so much? They say a photo is worth a thousand words and I believe a large mural can convey, with just a single still image, a story in spirit