To reach an understanding of laser cutting machine fundamentals you must first learn that there are three unique configurations of industrial cutting machines: Flying Optics, Hybrid and Moving Material machines. These are characterized by the way in which the laser is moved over the material. Just like on a graph the angles of motion are named as the Y and X axes. If the cutting head can be adjusted it is usually named the Z-axis.
The most distinctive characteristic of flying-optic laser cutters is the stationary work surface which has several advantages. The laser moves over the work piece in both of the horizontal axes. This allows flying-optic cutters to keep the piece still during the cutting process, and usually do not require the material to be secured. The moving mass is constant, so dynamics aren’t affected by the changing size and thickness of the material, as would be the case with a moving material laser. These types of laser cutter are the quicker of all 3 with higher accelerations and peak velocities than other systems.
Moving material lasers have a laser and mobile table below it for moving the material beneath it. This type of machine ensures that the material is kept at a constant distance from the laser and gives a central point from which cutting slag or ejecta can be removed. The advantage with these machines is that they requires fewer optics. The one problem has to do with the size of the workpiece being limited by the table’s ability to accurately move it into position. As a result of the machine having to be continually reloaded and being limited by weight these types of machine are typically regarded to be the slowest.
Hybrid laser cutters are a combination between flying head and stationary head laser cutting machines. The table runs on one axis and the head along another. The advantage over a flying optics machine is a more constant beam delivery path and a simpler beam delivery system. This also makes hybrids more energy efficient.
Pulsed lasers are ideal for piercing jobs, cutting holes for example. These also offer advantages when it comes to working with lightweight materials as they do not provide a constant beam which might overheat and ultimately melt the material. Many industrial lasers offer the ability to both pulse or cut using a continual wave – often referred to as CW cutting.
For improved quality when cutting a hole, double pulse lasers can also be used. These are a series of pulse pairs that can be employed to improve the material removal rate. This method is pretty simple; the first laser is used to remove material from the surface and the other keeps the ejecta or “slag” from bonding to the sides of the hole. Once again, the reward is a cleaner cut.
The end quality of materials cut by laser far exceeds those that have been cut by conventional cutters. This has to do with the beam leaving a finished clean surface. Using any of these machines will result in more accurate pieces within a shorter time than with orthodox cutting methods.
Marc Anderes is the VP of Operations of Maloya Laser that is dedicated to Metal Manufacturing and <A href=”http://www.MaloyaLaser.com”>Laser Cutting</a> with advanced <A href=”http://www.maloyalaser.com/capabilities_equipment.php”>laser systems</a>, servicing aerospace, scientific, transportation, medical and machinery needs.
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