Is it possible to cut aluminum plates with a laser?
CO2 lasers or fiber lasers can be used to cut thin sheets of non-ferrous metals.
However, when using a carbon dioxide laser, it is necessary to coat the surface of the material to prevent the reflected light from damaging the laser device.
On the other hand, fiber lasers can be used directly for cutting non-ferrous metals.
Aluminum can be cut using various cutting machines such as laser, plasma, water jet or mechanical cutting machines.
Compared to traditional aluminum cutting machines, the main advantage of a laser cutting machine lies in its speed and quality. The processed part is smoother and free from defects.
Nitrogen or air can be used to cut 1.6mm aluminum, with the surface of nitrogen-cut aluminum plate being smoother, although there may be slight slag hanging on some sections of air-cut aluminum.
The main auxiliary gases used in laser cutting machines include oxygen, nitrogen, air and argon.
- To prevent the material from burning and oxidizing during laser cutting, which can cause deformation of the part, auxiliary gases such as oxygen, air or nitrogen are used to absorb the heat generated.
- When processing stainless steel, nitrogen is recommended to prevent incision oxidation and maintain the original color. High purity nitrogen should be selected for this purpose.
- For processing carbon steel sheets, oxygen must be selected as it supports combustion and speeds up processing. The purity of the oxygen must be as high as possible.
- In less precision-sensitive processing, oxygen can be chosen as it has a low cost and good auxiliary effect.
- In addition to these specific functions, these auxiliary gases have many common functions, such as blowing away slag, protecting the lens, preventing slag from sticking to the lens, and extending the service life of the lens. Air and nitrogen can also cool the cutting head.
Will there be burrs on the laser cut aluminum?
Laser-cut products will have some burrs, and the solution depends on whether you choose manual or mechanized grinding.
Manual grinding requires more effort and is less efficient, while mechanical grinding is more economical as it saves labor and results in higher quality polished products.
Safe operation of aluminum laser cutting machine
- Observe safety regulations when operating cutting machines. Start the laser by following the proper procedures.
- Operators must be trained and familiar with the structure and functions of the equipment, as well as the operating system.
- Use protective equipment as necessary and protective eyewear in areas where the laser beam is present.
- Do not process a material until you have confirmed that it can be safely exposed to laser radiation or heat to avoid potential smoke or vapor hazards.
- When operating the equipment, the operator must not leave his/her position without due authorization. If it is necessary to leave, turn off the machine or turn off the power.
- Place fire extinguishers in easily accessible places; turn off the laser or shutter when not in use; and keep paper, fabric or other flammable products away from unshielded laser beams.
- If there is any abnormality during processing, stop the machine immediately and solve the problem or inform the supervisor.
- Keep the laser, base and surrounding area clean, organized and free from oil stains. Store workpieces, plates and waste in accordance with regulations.
- When using gas cylinders, avoid crushing the welding wires to avoid electrical leaks. Follow regulations for using and transporting gas cylinders. Do not expose the cylinder to direct sunlight or heat sources. Stand to the side of the cylinder when opening the valve.
- Observe high voltage safety regulations during maintenance. Perform maintenance every 40 hours of operation or as described in regulations and procedures, such as weekly maintenance or every six months after 1,000 hours of operation.
- After starting the machine, check for abnormalities by manually starting the machine tool at low speed in the X and Y directions.
- Before using a new part program, test it first and verify that it works.
- Pay attention to machine operation during processing to avoid accidents such as moving the machine outside its effective range or colliding with other machines.
Tips for Using Aluminum Laser Cutting Machine
(1) The double focal length laser cutting head is a vulnerable component of the laser cutting machine, and long-term use may cause damage.
(2) To ensure good cutting performance, it is essential to check the straightness of the fiber laser cutting machine track and the verticality of the machine every six months, and promptly carry out maintenance and troubleshooting if any abnormalities are detected.
(3) Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and debris from the machine once a week, and make sure all electrical cabinets are closed to prevent dust accumulation.
(4) Regularly inspect the steel belt tension of the optical fiber laser cutting machine to avoid any problems during operation that may cause injury or death.
(5) Regularly clean the guide rails of the fiber optic laser cutting machine to remove dust and other debris and ensure smooth operation.
Clean the rack and lubricate it frequently to ensure contamination-free lubrication.
Regularly clean and lubricate the guide rails and motor to ensure better machine movement and cutting accuracy, which will result in higher quality cut products.
Advantages of laser cutting aluminum in the construction industry
Aluminum laser cutting is a special machine tool that uses laser technology to cut various graphics on pipe fittings and profiles.
It is a high-tech product that integrates numerical control technology, laser cutting and precision machinery.
With its specialized, high-speed, high-precision, efficient and economical features, it is a valuable tool in the non-contact metal tube processing industry.
So what are your advantages in the construction industry?
- Effective Processing: Laser cutting of aluminum is especially important in today's society, where the focus is on reducing costs and increasing benefits. The automatic production and computer control of this laser equipment effectively solve the problems of labor shortages and rising costs.
- Excellent space and time control: The space control (change of beam direction, rotation, sweep, etc.) and time control (on, off, pulse interval) of aluminum laser cutting are excellent and easy to control . Furthermore, due to its high precision and burr reduction, it greatly reduces the time required for further processing. When changing the pipe diameter or shape, only the program needs to be modified, making pipe cutting software development a valuable area of research.
- Superior performance and long service life: The aluminum laser cutting machine's rigid steel frame provides stability, while its unique beam structure ensures precision and speed. This makes aluminum laser cutting a popular choice in the building materials industry.
- High precision: Laser cutting of aluminum has much higher precision compared to traditional methods. It can also flexibly adjust to small telescopic deformations that may occur during processing, which many traditional processes cannot achieve.
- Enhanced Tensile Strength: Driven by optical fiber laser cutting machines and metal laser cutting machines, the tensile strength of aluminum laser cutting is greatly improved by adding small amounts of magnesium, silicon, copper, zinc and other elements. As a result, aluminum laser cutting machines have become an important part of the complex and rigorous process. This machine is believed to bring infinite vitality to the building materials industry.
What do laser cutting of aluminum alloy and stainless steel have in common?
1. Stainless steel laser cutting
Gas Used: Nitrogen is mainly used to prevent oxidation on the cutting surface. Gas purity must be at least 99.999% for thicker plates. However, when the appearance of the cutting surface is not a concern, oxygen can be used to cut stainless steel, which can result in thicker cuts than with nitrogen.
Gas pressure: For stainless steel below 10mm, the pressure should be around 10kg and the flow rate should be high. However, this results in high nitrogen consumption and relatively high cost. For plates above 10mm the pressure, flow and dosage are greater.
Cutting speed: The thickness of the plate is inversely proportional to the cutting speed. The power of the laser generator also affects the cutting speed. For example, a 4000W laser generator can cut 4mm at a speed of 3000-5000mm/min, while cutting 10mm would be at a speed of 1000mm/min.
Power: The power required for cutting is determined by the manufacturer of the laser cutting machine. If the cut is not ideal, the operator can adjust the power as needed, but this requires experimentation and can vary depending on the steelmaking of the material.
Focus: The focus position for cutting stainless steel should normally be in the middle of the plate thickness.
2. Aluminum laser cutting
It is more challenging to cut aluminum alloys with a laser than stainless steel (SUS). This is because aluminum is reflective and has high viscosity in its molten state.
For cutting aluminum, air and nitrogen with a flow rate of 40-50m3/h are generally used, and the cutting speed depends on the thickness of the material.
The maximum thickness that can be cut is normally 12 mm. For example, with a 6 kW laser, the cutting speed for a 4 mm aluminum plate is 4000 mm/min, while the cutting speed for a 12 mm plate is 700 mm/min.
It is important to take glare protection measures when cutting aluminum. It is highly recommended to wear a mask when cutting aluminum plates.
The image below shows 28mm and 25mm stainless steel samples that have been laser cut with high pressure nitrogen.
Final words
The above information refers to aluminum laser cutting. I hope it is useful for you. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments section.
