What's the maximum thickness of materials that a high - power laser - cutting machine can cut?
The cutting thickness depends on the type of materials and the specific power of the laser - cutting machine. Generally speaking, for carbon steel, a high - power (such as 10 - 20kW) laser - cutting machine can cut materials with a thickness of up to 50 - 80mm; for stainless steel, it can cut plates with a thickness of 30 - 60mm. However, the actual cutting thickness will also be affected by factors such as cutting speed and auxiliary gas.
What materials can it cut?
High - power laser - cutting machines can cut a variety of metallic materials, such as carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, copper alloy and other metallic materials.
How to ensure the quality when cutting thick materials?
Firstly, it's necessary to select an appropriate combination of laser power and cutting speed. For thick - plate materials, a relatively low cutting speed is usually required to ensure the cutting quality. Secondly, the selection and pressure control of the auxiliary gas are crucial. For example, using oxygen as an auxiliary gas to cut carbon steel can improve the cutting speed and quality. In addition, the focal length of the cutting head and the beam quality also need to be optimized according to the material thickness to ensure that the laser energy can effectively penetrate the material and form a good - quality cutting surface.
How is the cutting speed of a high - power laser - cutting machine determined?
The cutting speed is mainly determined by the type and thickness of the material, the laser power, and the required cutting quality. Generally speaking, the thinner the material and the higher the laser power, the faster the cutting speed can be. But at the same time, the cutting quality also needs to be considered. If a high - precision and burr - free cutting surface is required, the cutting speed may need to be appropriately reduced. The optimal cutting speed can be determined through the cutting parameter table that comes with the equipment or through trial - and - error cutting.
What's the impact of laser power on cutting?
Laser power is a crucial factor that affects cutting capacity. High power means stronger cutting ability, enabling the cutting of thicker materials and at a higher cutting speed. However, if the power is too high without appropriate parameters such as cutting speed and auxiliary gas, it may lead to a decline in the quality of the cut surface, with phenomena like over - burning and dross - hanging. During the cutting process, it's necessary to adjust the laser power reasonably according to the material and cutting requirements.
How often does a high - power laser - cutting machine need to be maintained?
The maintenance frequency depends on the usage of the equipment. Generally speaking, daily maintenance, including cleaning the equipment surface and checking the optical path system, should be carried out every day. For key components such as the laser generator, depending on its working hours and usage intensity, a more in - depth inspection and maintenance may be required every 1 - 3 months, including checking the cooling system and replacing filters. Regularly (every six months to a year), a comprehensive calibration and inspection of the equipment is also needed to ensure that the performance of the equipment is in an optimal state.