How to work with a laser cutting machine? The basis for every cutting system is the source of the laser beam, a so-called resonator. The beam is led from the resonator by a system of mirrors up to a cutting head carried to the portal of the cutting table. Today the CNC tables used for cutting in 2D are essentially two types - with so-called hybrid optics, when the clamped material moves on one axis and the cutting head on the other or with so-called flying optics, when the cutting head moves on both axes. The beam in the cutting head is sharpened into a technologically precise focal point dependent on the type and thickness of the material. By using the concentrated energy of the laser beam the cut material is:
- Fused and the groove is continuously "crossblown" with an assist inert gas, most often nitrogen - so-called "fusion cut" (clean non-oxidized polished cuts)
- Fused and burned off using oxygen as an assist gas for "oxidative cutting" (cuts with a noticeable trace of oxidation)
- Possibly fused and evaporated for the seldom used "sublimation cutting"
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A look at the laser cutting space | | Modern cutting systems can allow for continuous changes in the output of the laser, the feed speed and other parameters, whose optimal combinations allow ever more precise and detailed cuts with lower temperature effects on the product and surrounding material. The abilities of individual cutting machines are due above all to the power of the resonator, which usually ranges today from 1200-4000 W, and the technical capability of the workspace. In any case, the upper limit of the technological possibilities of quality laser cutting for standard industrial practice lies today in the range of 20-25 mm thick material, which according to research experts in this field probably won't change very much in the future. Today development is concentrated mostly on the moving dynamics of machines and thanks to this, the high speed of laser cutting is used even for small pieces and those with difficult forms or many openings, which shortens production time considerably.
We work with the modern technology of leading manufacturer Bystronic Laser AG.
Our company, CHPS s.r.o., uses the leading Swiss-made BYSPRINT 3015 Swiss made
A complete look at the Bysprint 3015 laser | |
- Profile processing length is 3000*1500 mm
- Laser power 3000 W
- Positioning speed up to 169 m/min.
- Repetition precision of cut approx. +/- 0,1 mm
- Cutting head approx. 0,2-0,5 mm
- Laser engraving possible
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Laser cutting - in action... | |
Advantages and disadvantages of laser technology
The main advantage of this technology occurs when working with metals: - High repetition precision cutting of approx. +/- 0,1 mm
- High cutting speed
- A high quality, smooth cut, almost without scaling or trace of heat residue, especially for a lower thickness of the material
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The surface of polished or otherwise mechanically treated sheet metal remains undisturbed during laser cutting | |
- A smooth polished cut when working with stainless steel in a nitrogen atmosphere
- Narrow kerf approx. 0,2-0,5 mm
- Optimum quality for most machine applications - price
- Computer optimization of material use, in some cases the possibility to use a so-called combined cut
- For thinner materials (up to approx. 5 mm) cutting is possible even for very detailed pieces, micro-bridges can be used
Sample of micro-bridge being used on minor pieces |
Detail of mark after break off from micro-bridge |
It must, however, be said that cutting by laser is a method that creates and transfers heat that can negatively effect several work pieces. Traces of fusion can be seen on cuts primarily for a larger thickness of metal materials, weld-on spots can develop and with increasing thickness, the formation possibilities of the cut become more limited. Some pieces as a whole can be slightly deformed by the heat - bent, etc. The temperature-affected zone is also less suitable (hardening) for mild machining - e.g., making threads. That's why it is better to consult first about new products, possibly create reference samples. In view of the high productivity of the workspace, it is not economically feasible to manufacture individual pieces or significantly small batch orders. ^ Up
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