The process begins when a CAD drawing is inserted into a computer, which will drive the laser cutting machine. A focused beam of laser is directed at the material from the source through a lens. Scattering along the programmed path, the material melts or vaporizes as a result of the intense heat provided by the concentrated beam. Sometimes, gases like oxygen or even nitrogen are used to purge molten particles and to cool the material. The result is an accurate and perfect cut with little or no distortion. It is this level of accuracy that has made this machine very popular in many industries.