Laser Cutting Glossary - C

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

CAD
Computer Aided Design. Software used to design parts prior to manufacture.

CAM
Computer Aided Manufacture.

CNC
Computer Numerical Control. Use of a computer to control the movements of the laser cutting machine.

CO2 Laser
A laser which uses carbon dioxide gas as its lasing medium, typically with a power of up to 40,000 watts. Can be either continuous wave (CW) or pulsed.

Collimation
A laser beams ability to have a low divergence over distance.

Collimator
A system of two lenses whose separation is the sum of their focal length, which produces a collimated laser beam.

Continuous Wave (CW)
Continuous emission mode of a cutting laser, as opposed to pulsed mode.

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