When it comes to laser cutting aluminum, the surface can cool quickly. This can make the process of laser cutting aluminum inefficient. Fortunately, lasers have high pulse frequencies that dissipate the heat to the surrounding area. In some cases, the metal can also have sharp edges or burrs, which make the laser cutting process inefficient. This can lead to the need for secondary machining to produce a smooth edge and clean finish.
Highly Reflective Nature
One of the challenges of laser cutting aluminum is the highly reflective nature of the material. This makes the material difficult to cut cleanly, and requires special expertise. A fiber laser is the most suitable tool for cutting aluminum, as it is less susceptible to bouncing light. A CO2 laser is less effective for cutting reflective materials, because it has a series of internal mirrors that can be damaged by the reflection of the laser beam.
There are two types of fiber lasers: CO2 laser and fiber laser. Fiber lasers are faster and use a fiber optic cable to pass the laser beam directly into the head. Fiber optic cables reduce the amount of blow back and stabilize the laser beam. The result is a faster, less reflective cut than CO2 laser cutting.
Another benefit of using a fiber laser for cutting aluminum is its ability to cut parts up to 0.500″ thick. The cutting head is designed to minimize refraction of light and heat. This reduces the time required to cut a thin part. In addition, it can also be used to cut thicker parts.
Although aluminum is one of the most reflective metals on earth, this material has a number of drawbacks. First, it is extremely difficult to cut with CO2 lasers. Second, the resulting cut quality is often subpar. Stainless steel, for example, is difficult to laser cut due to its reflective properties.
Fiber Laser is a great tool for marking metals. Because the laser does not produce any mechanical pressure, it is effective for marking small items such as capacitors and crystal oscillators. This technology is especially useful in the fast-paced industry. One of the biggest users of this technology is the automotive industry. The average car contains 30,000 parts of various shapes, sizes, and materials. Using a fiber laser can add markings to these parts and create highly legible markings.
Besides cutting aluminum, fiber lasers are also useful for nonmetal cutting. These lasers use a wavelength of 10.6 um, which is suitable for cutting most nonmetals.
Good Thermal Conductivity
Aluminum alloy is known for its high thermal conductivity and low melting point. This combination makes it strong enough for laser cutting. However, this high thermal conductivity also creates problems with reflection. Thankfully, there are several methods to combat this problem. One method is to use nitrogen to cool the aluminum during the cutting process.
Another way to combat the problem is by using auxiliary gases. These gases are used to cool the cutting head and avoid overheating. Using the right type of auxiliary gas can improve both the quality and speed of the cut. Oxygen is a common auxiliary gas used for cutting, but it can lead to oxidation of the aluminum.
In addition to using oxygen, laser cutting aluminum also needs to use a high-pressure gas such as CO2. CO2 lasers have a high thermal conductivity and can be used to process thicker aluminum sheets. This helps reduce dross by blowing debris from the kerf.
Fiber lasers are another option. They have a high power density and a 1-micron wavelength. In addition to this, aluminum is known for its high thermal conductivity, which means it absorbs more energy from a laser beam than it reflects. These features have improved the efficiency of laser cutting aluminum.
Thermal conductivity is a crucial factor for laser cutting aluminum. A good thermal conductivity allows the cutting zone to stay cool, without overheating surrounding material. Otherwise, the laser cutting process could be compromised due to overheating or deterioration of the edge quality. Good thermal conductivity can also help prevent thermal problems that can affect the cutting speed of the workpiece.
Need for Secondary Machining
When lasers are used for laser cutting aluminum, they cause the surface to cool rapidly. This is especially true when using high-speed lasers, which are designed to deliver a high pulse frequency. This enables the laser to melt the aluminum quickly, while dissipating the heat. However, the laser cut can leave sharp edges and burrs, which make secondary machining necessary. This secondary machining process can increase efficiency by up to 20%.
Secondary machining is a process of removing imperfections from the surface of a part. The process is typically required to remove metal spurs, raised edges, slags, and dross. Although laser cutting can cut materials as thin as 0.25 inches thick, secondary machining can be as much as 30% of the operating cost of a laser-cutted part.
Lasers are most effective for cutting stainless steel and carbon steel, but aluminum and copper are less effective because they reflect light and absorb heat. Therefore, they require a stronger laser to cut them. In addition, lasers produce a hole in the metal that is larger than its exit diameter and is slightly tapered.
Laser cutting aluminum can use assist gasses to accelerate the cutting process. These gases are often nitrogen, argon, or compressed air. They help with the cutting process by initiating an exothermic reaction, releasing heat and oxygen in the metal. The gas also helps with melting and remove molten metal oxides.
The primary part of a laser cutter is the laser head. This part delivers the gas to the cutting zone. In general, these gases are oxygen or nitrogen, while argon is used for non-ferrous metals and titanium. The other two parts of the laser head are the ceramic ring and the nozzle. The nozzle is involved in the delivery of gas to the material to be cut. The diameter of the nozzle depends on the thickness of the material being cut and the pressure required for cutting.
Secondary machining is important for laser cutting aluminum. The process can lead to mechanical blanking along the cut edge, making it less versatile and prone to defects that require secondary machining. Another common secondary machining method is water jet machining. Water jet machining is another way to cut aluminum. While this process can produce highly accurate results, it has a slow cycle time. This process is suitable for thin plates up to 0.24″ in thickness.
High Processing Cost
Aluminum is a rich metal that makes up about 8% of earth’s crust. This non-ferrous metal has a number of advantages over steel. It is light and soft, has excellent conductivity, and can be recycled. It is also highly efficient. High processing cost is one of the drawbacks of aluminum cutting.
Laser cutting aluminum is possible using either a fiber or CO2 laser. However, the cutting head should be protected from overheating by using the right auxiliary gas. Alternatively, oxygen can be used to enhance cutting speed and improve the quality of the cut. However, it should be noted that oxygen can oxidize aluminum, which can affect the cut quality.
The processing cost of aluminum depends on its thickness and type of material. Thinner materials, such as steel, are cheaper to process than high-grade aluminum. Thicker materials, like aluminum, require a longer laser operation, which increases the cost. Luckily, many companies offer laser cutting services that can help reduce costs.
The most important parameter in laser cutting aluminum is the laser power. While high-powered CO2 lasers can overcome the power loss from reflection, fiber lasers are a better option for aluminum. A fiber laser can work 3 times faster on aluminum than CO2 lasers. High-speed lasers can also produce clean cuts and a smooth surface finish.
Another disadvantage of aluminum is its high-reflective nature. This causes the laser beam to reflect back into the laser head. This can damage the laser module. A coating of paint will not solve this problem. A good option to reduce the reflectiveness of aluminum is to alloy it with a metal that is less reflective.
High processing cost of aluminum can be reduced by using thinner sheets for cutting. Stacking multiple parts can also reduce processing costs. This is especially beneficial when multiple parts need to be cut at the same time. This way, the process can be done without a pause in the manufacturing process. However, if it is not done right, a laser can cause damage to components.
Laser cutting aluminum requires oxygen as the cutting gas. This gas helps the laser cut the material by providing assistance to the combustion process and blowing away debris from the kerf. It is also beneficial to use argon to process exotic metals such as copper and titanium. It also allows higher cutting speeds.
CNC Laser Cutting
You can be confident that by using our CNC laser cutting services, you will gain access to a high degree of precision, adaptability, speed, and quality. In reality, Deluxe Metal Fabrication ensures that you get the most of laser cutting, which is widely regarded as the preferred technique for metal fabrication.
In Canada’s most populous cities, including British Columbia’s Langley, Surrey, Abbotsford, Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Delta, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, Port Coquitlam, Chilliwack, Mission, and White Rock, we offer our high-quality services. For more information visit this link https://www.deluxemetalfab.com/services/cnc-laser-cutting/