Laser cutting of metal
The main feature of laser cutting of metal is the possibility of obtaining quality parts in the shortest possible time without large material costs. This is one of the most advanced technologies for working metal. It allows you to make geometrically complex parts with maximum accuracy, while minimally affecting the material and leaving a minimum of waste. Laser cutting is suitable for most metals and alloys.
The equipment for laser cutting of metal is advanced and is successfully used in modern industries.
The principle of its operation is simple: some amount of energy is transferred to the working body of the laser. Protection material can be a gas mixture (oxygen/nitrogen) or an optical fiber. A light resonator amplifies laser radiation and forms a directional beam. It passes through focusing lens, located a few centimeters from the treated surface. As a result, the material melts and evaporates in the cutting zone. A significant accumulation of energy allows cutting various types of metals, whatever thermal properties they are endowed with.
The power of the laser is regulated depending on the properties of the metal and the contour of the cutting. As a result, perfectly smooth surfaces emerge that do not require additional treatment.
Due to the focusing of the laser beam, only a small area of the material is heated, reducing the deformations. Higher accuracy is achieved when cutting small parts of complex configuration.
Only due to the thermal effect on the sheet, laser cutting of sheet metal can be successfully used. For example for the manufacture of metal structures according to specified parameters. Since the processed material is not subjected to mechanical stress, there is a reduction in the probability of spoiling it.
With the help of a laser, you can quickly and accurately make the smallest details and holes.
Laser cutting machines: the principle of operation
Currently, one of the key criteria for choosing a laser system is the principle of the radiation source.
СО2– lasers: during the formation of the laser beam in the resonator, a gas mixture is used. Which is moved by means of high voltage, which enables the emission of photons generating laser radiation. Then, the laser beam is sent along a path consisting of mirrors to the cutting head.
With this technology, the power of such laser cutter does not exceed 6-8 kW.
Fiber lasers: the design of a resonator of this type of machine is simpler. The formation of the beam occurs in the active fiber. It is constantly moved by the luminous flux coming from the pump diodes. Further, along the transport fiber, the beam enters the cutting head. There is the focusing takes place to cut the required metal.
This technology is relatively new. The power of such laser cutting equipment is easy to scale and today it can reach up to 12 kV.
The advantages of sheet metal processing on laser machines:
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ease of process control, the ability to use digital controllers;
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minimum error (up to 0.05 mm), which is important for precision engineering and tool engineering;
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no deviations from a straight line of cut;
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high-quality processing of corners, lack of significant roughness and other defects;
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the ability to create holes with a minimum diameter;
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repeatability of the process;
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minimum energy consumption and costs of mass production;
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high efficiency;
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lack of human factor;
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contactless processing of workpieces;
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high cutting accuracy;
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high quality of the resulting edge: no burrs and overlaps;
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the ability to produce holes with a diameter several times smaller than the thickness of the metal;
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the ability to handle details of any trajectory, complexity;
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simplicity of technological preparation of production;
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economic use of metal;
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smooth edges, thin cut and vertical edge;
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processing of various metal surfaces;
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no additional processing required
Features of the use of a laser machine for metal:
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The greater the thermal conductivity of the metal (aluminum, copper, high-alloy steels, titanium) – the more powerful the laser must be.
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Brass is a popular metal for laser cutting. Brass parts are made both in large-scale production and in private workshops.
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Laser cutting of metal does not have a rough impact on the material. Therefore, the heat-affected and deformed area is insignificant, defects are absent, and production waste is minimized.
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Metalworking by such a method as metal cutting by a laser will make it possible to manufacture non-standard structures. Also large metal products and small metal parts from materials of different thermophysical properties in single and serial versions.
What can be done using laser cutting equipment with the above advantages
The laser cutting machine with high efficiency is used for both single and large-scale production. It used in areas such as automotive, special engineering, production of commercial equipment, elevators, parts of the building complex, etc.
Thus, high precision of parts, high quality of the cutting edge on a relatively large range of metal thicknesses are achieved.
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Arbitrary part configuration
The geometric shape of the parts and the level of complexity of the contour of the product, which are designed for laser cutting, are actually limited only by the imagination of the designer. The technology of laser cutting of metal allows you to create holes in the material of very small size, with a diameter of 1 mm. -
High precision of equipment for laser metal cutting
There is no need for further mechanical adjustment of the part to the specified dimensions, since the laser cutting accuracy is 0.1 mm. -
Low material maintenance
Metal cutting by laser is carried out according to finished projects, diagrams and drawings, which makes the process virtually waste-free by minimizing the number of scraps and residues. Laser cutting of metal allows significant savings in small batches of products, since it is more practical and expedient to carry out laser cutting of metal than to additionally buy rather expensive casting molds and dies or dies, especially for small-scale production.
