What Factors Determine The Speed And Accuracy of CO2 Laser Cutting?

As a common equipment in industrial manufacturing, CO2 laser cutting machine is widely welcomed by users because of its high precision and fast cutting speed and is widely used in automobiles, machinery, electric power, hardware and electrical appliances, and other fields. For the application of laser cutting machines, cutting quality is the primary condition to be considered, and the cutting speed and precision of laser equipment are also important factors for judging the quality of laser cutting machines. What factors may affect the speed and accuracy of CO2 laser cutting? This article will discuss the factors that affect the speed and accuracy of CO2 laser-cutting machines.

What factors determine the accuracy of CO2 laser cutting

CO2 laser cutting is suitable for all types of non-metallic materials, from multi-layer wood to materials such as plastic films, and they can be easily and accurately processed. It minimizes the risk of breakage and material waste, enabling extremely complex cutting geometries. The following are 5 factors that affect cutting accuracy.

Cutting power

In actual operation, proper power can keep the cutting section smooth and clean. If the laser power is too small and the heat is insufficient, the viscosity of the molten product at the lower edge of the workpiece will become higher, resulting in slag hanging. If the laser power is too large, the input heat will become larger, which will cause the airflow to burn too much, resulting in too wide kerf. If the laser power is too high or too low, the molten product cannot be blown away by the high-pressure airflow, which will eventually hurt the appearance of the material. Therefore, it is necessary to find an appropriate balance between cutting accuracy and cutting efficiency.

focus position

Keeping the laser beam in the correct focus position helps achieve precise cuts. The focal point should be precisely positioned on the surface of the material to achieve the ideal cutting effect. Any deviation from the correct focus position will result in reduced accuracy. The ability of a laser to focus on a tight spot depends on its wavelength and focusing lens. During the whole cutting process, keeping the relative position of the focal point and the workpiece constant is an important condition for obtaining stable cutting quality.

beam quality

The beam quality of the CO2 laser generator will also affect the cutting accuracy. The well-focused beam has a smooth intensity distribution over the entire cutting area, which can lead to higher cutting precision. Beam quality can be affected by factors such as the optical design of the laser generator, the stability of the resonator, and the condition of the focusing lens.

Cutting speed

The accuracy of CO2 laser cutting is directly affected by the cutting speed. Higher cutting speeds can result in reduced precision due to the reduced interaction time between the laser and the material. If the cutting speed is too slow, excessive melting may be caused when the cut is made, making the cut section rough and the kerf widened accordingly. To achieve the desired results, an optimal balance must be found between cutting speed and cutting accuracy.

Auxiliary gas

Auxiliary gas is often used during CO2 laser cutting to improve cutting quality. For non-metallic materials and some metallic materials, the use of compressed gas or inert gas to treat the molten and evaporated materials can suppress excessive combustion in the cutting area. Using different assist gases can vary the cutting speed and the surface quality of the cut, for example, nitrogen as an assist gas will help to produce a clean cut with a good surface finish.

Material propertie

Different materials respond differently to laser cutting, and their cutting characteristics can affect accuracy. Different material properties (thickness, reflectivity, electrical and thermal conductivity, etc.) affect the accuracy of the CO2 laser cutting process. The cutting parameters need to be optimized according to the specific material to achieve the required cutting accuracy.

Focusing Optics

Focusing optics, such as lenses, play a key role in shaping the laser beam and directing it to the material. The quality and alignment of these optics are very important to achieve precise cuts. Any misalignment or contamination can cause the beam to diverge or deflect, resulting in reduced cutting accuracy.

Machine Rigidity and Stability

The structural rigidity and stability of the laser cutting machine also play a role in the cutting accuracy. Vibration or bending of the machine during cutting can introduce errors and affect cutting accuracy. High-quality machines with stable frames and motion control systems can provide higher cutting precision.

Control and programming

The cutting accuracy of the CO2 laser cutting machine will also be affected by the programming and control system. Accurate positioning, motion control, and synchronization between laser and material movement are necessary for precise cutting. Additionally, a properly designed and programmed path optimizes the cutting process and reduces errors. Consider factors such as corner radii, lead-in, and lead-out lines to minimize potential accuracy issues.

Exhaust system

CO2 laser cutting involves melting and burning materials. When cutting plastics and other combustible materials, it will produce highly toxic fumes and fine particles, which may hinder the CO2 laser cutting process and affect the cutting effect.

What factors determine the speed of CO2 laser cutting

Laser has extremely high parameter controllability and high-speed execution speed. All these elements combine to make CO2 laser cutting an extremely stable work tool. The cutting speed of the CO2 laser cutting machine is affected by cutting power, material properties, incision width, auxiliary gas, and other factors, which will be analyzed in detail below.

Cutting power

The power of the CO2 laser generator is an important factor in determining the cutting speed. Higher-power lasers generally achieve faster cutting speeds because they can deliver more energy to the material. However, too high a power level can also deform the material and reduce the quality of the cut. Therefore, the relationship between power and speed is not linear, and the best balance between speed and cutting quality needs to be found.

Material type and thickness

The type and thickness of the material being cut also directly affect cutting speed. Different materials have different absorption and thermal conductivity properties, which affect how efficiently they interact with the laser beam. Materials such as acrylic and wood typically cut faster than metal due to differences in thermal conductivity and melting point. Also, some materials may require slower speeds to achieve a cleaner cut or to prevent over-melting.

Beam Pattern and Focus

The pattern and focus of the laser beam can affect cutting speed. Higher-quality beams with smaller spot sizes and focused strength allow for faster cutting. This ensures more energy is focused on a smaller spot, facilitating efficient material removal. Optimal beam pattern and focus contribute to higher cutting speeds.

auxiliary gas

The choice of assist gas and its flow will affect the cutting speed. Assist gases, such as nitrogen or oxygen, are often used to enhance the cutting process by blowing away molten material and helping to control the cut kerf. For example, oxygen-assist gas reacts exothermically with many materials, enhancing the cutting process. Proper selection and control of assist gas flow can optimize cutting speed and efficiency.

design and programming

The design and programming of the cutting pattern affect the cutting speed. An efficient and optimized cutting path minimizes unnecessary travel times and optimizes the cutting process for increased speed. Programming techniques such as import, export, and optimized path sequencing help maximize cutting speed.

Operator skills and experience

Operator experience and familiarity with the laser cutting process will affect cutting speed. Experienced operators are familiar with the machine’s capabilities and material properties, allowing them to optimize cutting parameters and make real-time adjustments to increase efficiency without compromising quality.

Methods for Optimizing Speed and Accuracy of CO2 Laser Cutting

The speed and precision of CO2 laser cutting are affected by various factors so the cutting effect will change in different situations. We can help CO2 laser cutting machines to run at their best through some methods of optimizing CO2 laser cutting. The more stable the performance of the equipment, the longer its service life will be.

Correct Material Selection

CO2 laser cutting machine can be used to cut various materials, such as wood, paper, plastic, glass, and other non-metals. Choosing the right material and making sure it is clean can help improve cutting performance. However, the wavelength of the CO2 laser also determines that highly reflective metal materials such as aluminum, copper, and brass cannot be processed with a CO2 laser generator, otherwise, the reflected laser will cause serious damage to the optical components in the cutting head.

Setting Optimal Laser Cutting Parameters

It is important to determine the optimal CO2 laser settings for your material before performing a cut. The optimal laser parameters to successfully perform a cut vary with different materials and laser cutting machines. The parameters of the laser beam of the CO2 laser cutting machine, the performance and accuracy of the machine tool, and the CNC system directly affect the efficiency and quality of cutting. Performing test runs on scrap material helps the user understand the properties of the material and find the optimum CO2 laser parameters to produce the best results.

Effective use of auxiliary gas

Choosing the right auxiliary gas and pressure can improve cutting speed and quality. The auxiliary gas can not only blow away the slag in time but also cool the workpiece and clean the lens. For example, nitrogen is an inert gas, which can prevent the oxidation of the cut end face of the product during cutting and prevent burning. Oxygen mainly acts as a combustion aid, which can increase the speed of the laser cutting machine during cutting and thicken the cutting thickness.

Regular maintenance and calibration of laser equipment

For a CO2 laser cutter to consistently produce high-quality, fast cuts, regular maintenance and calibration of every part of the equipment are critical. Regularly maintain and maintain the fiber laser cutting machine weekly/monthly/yearly. Paying attention to the maintenance and maintenance of the machine can avoid failures as much as possible and effectively save costs, including reducing service costs.

Summarize

CO2 laser cutting technology has gone through a long period of development, and now almost can provide you with machines of various sizes and configurations, from low-power desktop CO2 laser cutting machines to large-scale industrial CO2 laser cutting machines with several kilowatts, the flexibility of the machine Accuracy, high speed, and accuracy open up infinite possibilities in manufacturing.
Choosing the right CO2 laser cutting machine for your application depends on determining machine performance in some way, including cutting speed and cutting accuracy. AccTek Laser gives you more flexibility in choosing machines and accessories, if you want to know more details, please contact us! We are happy to resolve your doubts.

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