Fiber Laser Cutting Technology

Recent years, fiber laser cutting technology have rapidly development in various fields. It occupy large scale in metal and non-metal processing. In Europe, the United States, Japan and other developed countries, laser cutting machine and industrial laser generator’s production and sales are increasing year by year. Its application is also more and more widely. but how can we get the good fiber laser cutting effect?

In the laser cutting process research, we main focus on the laser output power, focal position, laser mode and nozzle shape etc. As early as the 1980s, the United States, Japan and Germany etc country have established laser cutting process database, based on a large number of cutting process test. In the early 1990s, some developed countries have launched some high-performance laser cutting system. XT LASER also devote to research and develop high quality metal laser cutting machine.

Effect of laser cutting parameters on cutting quality

• Laser cutting speed

During laser cutting, the cutting speed have a big influence for the fiber laser cutting effect. The ideal cutting speed make the cut surface show smooth line, and there is no slag on the bottom of cutting edge. When auxiliary gas and laser power is fixed, the cutting speed and lance is nonlinear inverse relationship. The laser power will stay on the cutting lance when cutting speed is slow, it will make the cutting lance largen.

With the laser cutting speed increasing, laser energy stay time become shorter on the work piece. This makes the thermal diffusion and heat conduction effect become smaller, then the cutting lance become thinner. If the cutting speed is so fast, the work piece can’t be cut through due to the lack of cutting heat. This is not completely cut. The molten material can’t be blow away in time, then it will be re-weld.

• focal position

The focal position will affect the cut roughness, slope lance, and the the attachment of molten slag. If the focal position is too low, it will increase the heat absorption capacity of cutting material bottom. When cutting speed and auxiliary gas pressure is fixed, it will make the molten material flowing under the material. If the focal position is too high, the cutting material bottom can’t absorb enough heat. So the cutting lance can’t melt completely and some slag will attach under the plate.

Usually focal position should be on the cutting surface or little lower. But different material have different request. When cut carbon steel, fiber laser cutting effect is good if focal position on the surface. When cutting stainless steel, focal position should be on the position of plate middle.

• Auxiliary air pressure

During laser cutting, the auxiliary gas can blow away the slag and cool the heat affected zone of laser cutting. Auxiliary include O2, N2, compressed air and other inert gas. Most metal material should use active gas such as O2 as it can oxide the metal surface and improve the cutting efficiency and Fiber Laser Cutting Effect.

When the auxiliary gas pressure is too high, the material surface may appear eddy current, which will weaken the ability of remove the melt. So the cutting lance will become wider and rough. If the air pressure is too low, it can’t blow away all melt slag.

• Laser power

Laser power have very big influence for the cutting effect. We need select suitable laser power according to material kinds and thickness.  Good thermal conductiivity, high melting point and high reflective materials require a larger laser power.

Additional, with the discharge voltage increases, the laser strength will increase due to input peak power become higher. Then the laser spot diameter will bigger so the cutting lance become wider.

No matter what ways we use on fiber laser cutting machine, the cutting effect will included by many factors. so we need do more test and practice to get the best cutting effect.

If you want to learn more about fiber laser cutting machine, feel free to contact me.

Ivy Xu

Email: xintian108@xtlaser.com

Whatsapp: 0086 17864184107