Types of Metal Laser Cutter

A metal laser cutter is a tool used for cutting different kinds of metal. Its power depends on the type of laser source it uses and its wavelength. There are various types of laser sources available in the market, including CO2 and YAG. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. A 2000W fiber laser cutter can cut five millimeters of copper. The laser source used is Germany’s IPG. Other types of laser sources include silver, gold, and stainless steel. In addition, a metal laser cutting machine can cut metals up to 1000 watts.

Auto Focus system regulates focus length and adjusts nozzle in z-axis

This advanced metal laser cutting head comes with six main units: QBH interface, collimate unit, focus unit, protection unit, nozzle tips unit, and motor. The laser cutting head has been fully integrated with motor, driver, and controller. Users can easily switch the nozzles or adjust the cutting focal length. Its integrated nozzle and QBH interface minimize the number of steps required during operation.

Manual focus works better than autofocus. To focus on the material, the cutting bed has to be raised. Manual focus tools use a metal triangle. The tip should be touching the material and the nozzle should be aligned with the material surface. In case of manual focus, the cutting bed should be raised to the desired height. The adjustment can be done through the control panel.

A negative focal length method results in a rough surface on the cutting surface. The cutting surface at the focus position will be smoother than the one further away. The negative focal length method results in lower cutting temperatures, and is not suitable for precision cutting. Instead, use a positive focal length method when you are cutting aluminum or stainless steel. This method will give you a smooth surface without rough spots.

Dual-use fiber laser

A dual-use fiber laser for metal laser cutter can be used for cutting different types of metals, such as stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum, copper, and more. A fiber laser can provide high-speed and high-accuracy cutting to metals. The cost of a fiber laser depends on how large your cut piece is and what you want it to do. A machine with a 500-watt fiber laser source can cut 3mm stainless steel, six-mm carbon steel, and six-mm steel. The laser can cut two or three-millimeter copper, aluminum, and 2.5-mm steel.

Another advantage of a dual-use fiber laser for metal laser cutter is its exchange platform, which makes it versatile for cutting different types of metal. These machines are often more expensive, but they can cut both metal tubes and sheets on one machine. These machines increase working efficiency by 50%. You will save a lot of space and money compared to one machine that only does one job. This makes dual-use fiber lasers an excellent choice for a variety of cutting applications.

Due to their high-power density, a dual-use fiber laser for metal cutter produces and transmits a concentrated beam of laser energy, which effectively heats the metal surface to melt. The fiber laser moves in parallel to the metal surface, allowing the beam of the laser to penetrate through the material and accomplish its intent. Once the material has been melted, it can be easily cut. The blades are easy to remove when finished.

CO2 laser

A CO2 laser for metal laser cutter is a versatile tool. It cuts a wide range of materials with high accuracy and a wide range of shaping options. Unlike other laser cutters, CO2 lasers can cut a variety of materials, including anodized aluminum, varnished metals, and even non-metals. CO2 lasers are more efficient at straight-line cutting and can produce smoother surface finishes.

A CO2 laser’s kerf width is narrow, and the beam must be aligned to ensure a smooth finish on all sides of a profile. This is particularly difficult to achieve with fiber lasers because their kerf width and spot size are much smaller. Also, the fiber laser’s spot size is much smaller, so it is hard to effectively eject the melt from its cut. CO2 lasers are more expensive than fiber lasers and require higher gas pressures.

Another advantage of a CO2 laser is its ability to cut thicker materials. The high power density of a CO2 laser results in rapid heating, partial vaporization, and melting of the material. The resulting molten steel has a smoother surface than a fiber laser and can be cut more quickly with the help of nitrogen. CO2 lasers can cut mild steel, but are generally not recommended for cutting thick materials, such as aluminium.

YAG laser

The YAG laser is a type of gas-based laser that can be used for cutting metal. It has a wavelength of 1064 nm, which is the same as that of silicon. It can be used to cut carbon steel and mild steel. It uses the reaction of the molten film with oxygen as an assist gas. The gas is a form of exothermic reaction with the material, and the heat that it produces accelerates the cutting process. During a laser cutting process, the gas jet can remove the oxidized, melted edge, resulting in a cleaner laser-cut edge.

The power of the beam varies with the thickness of the material. Generally, a laser can cut 15 mm of ferrous metals. As the laser increases power, the thickness of the cut decreases. However, this limitation does not apply to nonferrous metals. The laser is highly efficient for cutting stainless steel and mild steel. The laser’s energy can also cut steel up to a thickness of 2mm.

A YAG laser for metal laser cutter uses a high-powered beam of light that is 10 times smaller than the beam diameter of a CO2 laser. This results in a super-fine cut quality. YAG laser cutting metal plates is fast and provides the same cutting quality as EDM wire cutting. Moreover, the YAG laser cutting process results in a small HAZ. For this reason, YAG lasers are preferred when cutting stainless steel.

Plasma

A plasma metal laser cutter works by generating a stream of ionized gas from a working electrode and directing it onto the work. The plasma melts the metal, vaporizes it, and then utilizes momentum to eject it from the work. The machine’s speed determines the size of the HAZ, and a lower speed will minimize the HAZ. However, cutting at a slower speed can cause the heat to build up and damage the nozzle.

The materials that are suitable for this type of cutting are the following: carbon dioxide, neodymium, and yttrium-aluminum-garnet. Carbon dioxide is most suitable for cutting, while neodymium is suitable for engraving, boring, and other high-quality work. Both types of lasers are similar in style, but are used for different purposes. While the CO2 laser is the best choice for cutting, yttrium-aluminum-garnet lasers are best suited for engraving and boring.

Plasma cutting, or “hot plasma cutting,” originated 50 years ago. While flame cutting was effective in many situations, it couldn’t cut certain metals. The plasma cutter uses a high-powered laser that cuts through a variety of metals. It also uses a nitrogen or oxygen gas supply to keep the cutting gases at a consistent temperature. The cut produced is often complex and requires a high-quality finish. For this reason, a plasma metal laser cutter is a great option for many applications.

Water-jet

The modern metal fabricator faces unique challenges. He or she must maintain cost control while maintaining flexibility. Therefore, it’s important to stay on top of machine developments. To find the right solution for your business, you need to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each type of cutting process. Here are some tips for choosing the right machine for you. Listed below are some things to consider when choosing a metal laser cutting machine. These machines are ideal for a variety of tasks.

The most common application for water-jet metal laser cutting is sheet metal fabrication. Its advantages include high durability, versatility, and cost effectiveness. However, it requires specialized machinery to operate. Sheet metal is made of a number of different metals, so cutting it can be tricky. Water-jet and laser cutting are particularly useful when the sheet metals are thicker. With water-jet and laser cutting, you can get intricate patterns.

Both water-jet metal laser cutting use advanced nesting software to optimize the use of materials. Water-jet cutting is more accurate, especially when it comes to the size of holes, which is usually smaller than the material’s thickness. However, laser-cut parts are less consistent and inaccurate. A water-jet cutter also has a smaller gap between cut parts. Its capabilities are vastly improved by advanced nesting software.

CNC

The CNC metal laser cutting machine requires proper maintenance and cleaning to maintain its precision and extend its service life. The machine’s internal air circulation system keeps components cool. It is also vital to avoid humidity because this can lead to malfunctioning of the machine’s components. Before beginning the cutting process, the machine should be properly installed according to the basic drawing and installation principles provided by the manufacturer. The following are some tips to ensure proper maintenance of CNC metal laser cutting machines.

Consider the size of the workpieces that will be cut. The largest workpiece should fit into the machine’s working area. The material should be suitable for laser cutting. The maximum cutting thickness should be at least 1mm. The machine must be powerful enough to process various types of materials, such as stainless steel, medium steel, copper, and aluminum. The higher the power of the laser, the faster it will cut. It is important to consider the future development direction and the market price of steel.

After sales service is a vital factor for CNC metal laser cutting. It is crucial to understand the after-sales service offered by the manufacturer of your machine. The response time and cost of spare parts are also important to consider. A good after-sales service is essential if your CNC metal laser cutting machine breaks down or requires maintenance. Make sure you read and understand the manufacturer’s warranty and maintenance policy before making a final decision.