4 métodos para maximizar a eficiência do corte a laser

4 Methods to Maximize Laser Cutting Efficiency

Laser cutting machines have become increasingly popular in the field of sheet metal product processing due to their high precision, good surface quality, low processing noise and reduced equipment vibration.

However, laser cutting also has some disadvantages, such as slow processing speed, low material utilization rate, and high overall processing cost.

The laser cutting machine operates non-contact and does not require a special mold, unlike conventional multi-station punching processing, which limits its scope and processing conditions. The complex shape of a product can be cut according to project requirements. This makes it suitable for single-run production and small batch production, enabling rapid satisfaction of customers' personalized product needs.

When processing thick sheets, the advantages of laser cutting are even more pronounced. The cutting thickness of steel plates can be more than 20mm, while multi-station presses can only process 3mm to 8mm. The laser cutting machine uses a movable laser cutting head for processing, providing a longer back and forth motion but slower processing speed and longer total processing time, making it less efficient and requiring a larger dosage of auxiliary gas. This results in a much higher overall cost for laser cutting compared to punching.

Improving the efficiency and economic benefits of laser cutting machine involves reducing laser cutting time and improving the board utilization rate. This requires focusing not only on the smallest air travel of laser cutting, but also on issues such as drilling time, cutting pause and positioning.

Analysis

Cutting time

The laser cutting process can be divided into two parts: the cutting path and the material removal or separation process path.

The cutting path is the effective working path and the time consumed is considered the effective cutting time. On the other hand, the empty path is the invalid path, and the time consumed is considered the invalid working time.

For a single CNC laser cutting machine, when using maximum power for parts processing, the effective cutting speed is fixed when the quality is guaranteed.

Improving cutting efficiency and reducing the time spent on invalid cuts is mainly achieved by reducing the length of the cutting path. In addition, adjusting the cutting process parameters and choosing different drilling methods can also reduce the time spent on cutting processing.

For example, when drilling holes, adjustments such as external light path, beam collection and vertical adjustment belong to the process adjustment pauses.

Use of sheet metal material

The plate laser cutting process is divided into two parts: components and waste materials.

The parts cut to design specifications are the usable parts, while the rest are irregular and generally considered waste.

Therefore, the effective utilization rate of laser cutting material is calculated as follows: (useful parts area / total sheet area) * 100%.

To improve the sheet metal utilization rate, it is necessary to reduce the residual material after laser cutting.

Nowadays, laser cutting equipment can be equipped with an optimization function for nesting, which is the main method for reducing the cutting spacing and edge distance of various parts.

It is also possible to choose smaller size raw material plates according to the size of the part, or make non-standard size plates based on the actual size of the part, to improve the actual utilization of the plate.

Solution

Laser cutting machine offline programming software is used to optimize sheet material and process settings, resulting in better utilization rate and cutting efficiency.

The following measures are mainly adopted:

When nesting, use the borrowed edge and the common edge

Parts with regular shapes use both the borrowed edge and the common edge when nesting.

When cutting (see Figure 1), one edge of the two pieces is used as a shared edge, greatly shortening the cutting path and reducing cutting time.

Shared edge cutting cases

Fig.6 Drilling path

Optimize sheet material, reduce sheet metal waste

Due to process requirements, some parts are often left unprocessed in the nesting area, such as the space between parts or the distance from the outer contour of the plate. To optimize the use of the board, reducing spacing or using a shared edge can be effective.

Conclusion

In this blog post, four methods to reduce laser cutting time and improve plate utilization rate have been summarized. These methods include using shared edge cutting, optimizing sheet material, reducing cutting head lifting motion, and selecting the appropriate perforation method. The comprehensive application of these methods can lead to greater work efficiency, reduced waste and better economic results, as verified through practical experience.

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