The manufacture of parts in industries frequently uses subtractive manufacturing processes. The fundamental manufacturing process of sheet metal laser cutting is a prime example of such processes.
The procedure concentrates the laser beam on the surface of the substance to burn, evaporate, or melt the material, ultimately producing the desired results. Making components with delicate details is made easier by the technique' accuracy and precision.
The material in this blog will provide you with all the knowledge you need to start using laser cutting for your next manufacturing project.
What is laser cutting for sheet metal?
One of the main methods used in industrial manufacturing is sheet metal fabrication. Laser cutting of sheet metal seems to be one of the most popular techniques as a result. A powerful light beam (laser) is used in laser cutting manufacture to cut off thin, flat sheets of metal. The process is controlled by computer numerical control (CNC) technology and optics, which explains why laser cut products have a high degree of precision.
Sheet Metal Laser Cutting History
With its initial attempt to cut metal sheets occurring in 1960, laser cutting technology has been around for more than 60 years. Intricate components like clock springs were welded using CO2 lasers as early as 1964. For delicate manufacturing and high volume production, laser cutting is preferred over other cutting methods due to its automation and high precision features.
Although fiber lasers were originally created in the 1960s, it wasn't until the late 1980s that they were commercially available. As a result of the introduction of numerous high-power lasers, such as solid-state lasers, which significantly increased productivity and efficiency, the 1990s are regarded as the pinnacle of laser technology. By the early 2000s, many industries, including the automotive and aerospace sectors, were using laser cutting services as a common manufacturing process.
Types of Lasers for Cutting Sheet Metal
Different types of lasers are used for material cutting in industrial manufacturing. Each laser cutter differs from the others in a variety of ways. Having said that, a detailed overview of the Fiber and Co2 Laser is provided below.
1. Laser Fiber
Some of the most effective precision cutting tools are fiber laser cutters. They are a type of solid-state laser that amplifies the beam utilising unique glass fiber and seed lasers. They work well for cutting metal, alloy, and non-metal materials such as glass, plastic, and even wood. They are excellent for metal engraving and annealing in addition to straightforward cutting operations.
Fiber laser kerfs are larger than conventional kerfs, which could explain why they have a high power. They have a lengthy service life of at least 25,000 hours and need minimal maintenance as a result. Some of the strongest and most reliable beams are made by them. They work best with materials that are less than 20 mm thick, though.
2. CO2 laser
With CO2 lasers, electricity is sent through a tube that contains a combination of gases to create the light beam. The principal gases in the mixture are carbon dioxide and inert gases, which are most frequently found as helium and nitrogen in lasers.
They are not as powerful as fiber lasers, though. Wood, acrylic, and plastics are the only non-metals that CO2 laser cutting devices can cut. They may occasionally be useful for laser cutting sheet metal, notably thin sheets of aluminium and other non-ferrous metals.
Three Techniques for Sheet Metal Laser Cutting
The thermal procedure known as "laser cutting sheet metal" involves removing chunks of metal from a sheet using a laser beam. There are primarily three ways to cut sheet metal.
1. Fusion Laser Beam Cutting
In fusion cutting, the molten material is ejected from the cutting torch using an inert cutting gas, frequently nitrogen or argon. It prevents oxidation at the cutting edge without interfering with the process because it uses the inert gas. The method works well for flat, thin sheets and situations where the material needs to match strict visual standards with little post-processing requirements.
2. Laser Beam Cutting with Flame
Oxygen gas is used in flame cutting to evacuate the molten material. The exothermic reaction it triggers is what increases the process's overall energy input. Along with other forms of sheet metal and fusible materials like ceramics, the method is excellent for cutting mild steel.
3. Cutting with a Laser Beam Sublimation
With less melting required, sublimation cutting employs a laser to vaporise portions of a material. Similar to fusion cutting, inert gases such as nitrogen, helium, or argon are used as cutting gas to keep oxidants away from the cutting edges. Even though it takes a while, it creates excellent edges for cutting with great precision.
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