Which materials cutting is a fiber laser cutting machine for and the gases required to cut different materials?

materials cutting

Which materials cutting is a fiber laser cutting machine for and  the gases required to cut different materials? Today Normaltan China discusses all these topics with you.

1 Which metal materials are cut by laser cutting machines

1.1 Stainless steel

1.2 Titanium

1.3 Structural steel

1.4 Copper and Brass

1.5 Aluminum

2 What are the laser cutting machines for cutting non-metallic materials?

2.1 Synthetic materials

2.2 Organic matter

3 What kind of gas is needed for the laser cutting machine to cut the material?

3.1 Oxygen (O2)

3.2 Nitrogen (N2)

3.3 Air

3.4 Argon (Ar)

Normaltan China fiber laser cutting machine is mainly for metal cutting. It is a kind of thermal cutting, let’s dive deeper into ‘whick material cutting is fiber laser cutting machine for’  first.

1.Which metal materials are cut by laser cutting machines

1.1 stainless steel

If oxygen is used to cut the material, the cut surface will be oxidized. If nitrogen is used to cut the material, the edge of the workpiece is free from oxidation and burrs, and the cutting edge is very ideal and does not need to be processed again. In order not to affect the processing quality, apply the oil film on the surface of the plate to obtain a better perforation effect.

1.2 Titanium

Titanium sheets were cut using argon and nitrogen as assist gases. In fact, laser cutting can cut many materials, such as “two-dimensional/three-dimensional cutting of thin metal plates”, which is popular among users for its wide application range.

For example, in the automated manufacturing process of bicycles, the cutting work of the sunroof is completed by the laser cutting machine curve cutting technology. At present, this technology is very mature. Companies such as Daimler, BMW and Audi all use lasers to cut complex-shaped body sheets and curved surface parts.

1.3 Structural steel

Cutting structural steel with oxygen works very well. If slight oxidation of the cut edge is acceptable, the use of oxygen as the processing gas is very suitable. For plates with δ=4mm, N.C. recommends using nitrogen gas for plate cutting work. Because the material is cut in this way, oxidation does not occur at the edges.

For thick plates, especially materials with δ≥ 10mm, N.C. recommends applying grease to the surface of the workpiece and using a special plate for the laser to achieve better results without reducing the processing quality.

1.4 Copper and Brass

For brass materials with a processing material δ ≤ 1m, N.C. recommends using nitrogen as the processing gas for cutting. For copper materials with a processing material δ ≤ 2m, N.C. recommends using oxygen as the processing gas for cutting. Both copper and brass are known to have very good high reflectivity and thermal conductivity. In order to avoid damaging the optical components of the laser cutter, N.C. recommends using a “reflective absorber” device, which is installed on the system before operating the equipment to cut copper and brass.

1.5 Aluminum

Similar to the case of copper, aluminum also has very good high reflectivity and thermal conductivity. The actual effect of cutting aluminum materials with δ ≤ 6mm is determined by the type of laser and alloy of the laser cutting machine. If the cutting surface of the workpiece is rough and hard, it is recommended to use oxygen for cutting. When the cutting surface of the workpiece is relatively smooth, it is recommended to use nitrogen as the processing gas for cutting. Due to its physical characteristics, pure aluminum is very difficult to cut. In order to avoid damaging the optical components of the laser cutting machine, N.C. recommends using a “reflective absorption” device, installing it on the system, and then operating the equipment to cut copper and brass.

  1. The situation of laser cutting machine cutting non-metallic materials is as follows,

gases required to cut different materials

2.1 Synthetic materials

When cutting synthetic materials such as ‘thermoplastics, thermosets, and synthetic rubbers’ there is a need to be concerned about the emission of hazardous substances.

2.2 Organic matter

Organic matter, as carbonaceous compounds, is prone to fire during cutting, such as ‘wood, leather, cardboard, and paper’. So in laser cutting, the cut edges of organic matter are brown, with burnt marks.

3.What kind of gas is needed for the laser cutting machine to cut the material?

In terms of the gas required for cutting, the choice of gas depends on the material being cut. Here are some gases commonly used in laser cutting:

3.1 Oxygen (O2):

This gas is used for cutting mild steel and other ferrous metals. The oxygen reacts with the metal to create an exothermic reaction that helps speed up the cutting process.

3.2 Nitrogen (N2):

This gas is used for cutting stainless steel, aluminum, and other non-ferrous metals. Nitrogen is an inert gas that helps prevent oxidation during cutting, resulting in a clean and smooth cut.

3.3 Air:

Air can be used to cut thin metals and non-metals, but is not recommended for thicker materials as it can cause excessive oxidation and result in poor cut quality.

3.4 Argon (Ar):

Argon is also an inert gas that can be used for cutting non-ferrous metals such as aluminum and copper, but is not as common as nitrogen.

It is important to note that the specific gas used can also affect cut speed, quality, and cost. The choice of gas will depend on the material being cut and the desired result.

To sum up, on the premise of understanding what materials the fiber laser cutting machine can cut, being familiar with “what kind of gas is needed to cut different materials” can better ensure the smooth progress of the cutting work of the equipment.

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