Laser cutting metal

Laser cutting Metal is one of the separating, thermal Production method. By using the laser beam, solid bodies of metal are cut through. The separation is effected by the strong heating which the laser beam reaches by focusing on the corresponding point on the surface of the workpiece: the material completely melts or evaporates. After penetration of the material, the actual cutting process begins.
Laser cutting of metal is one of the most flexible, precise and most economical separating Production method . Typical applications can be found wherever a complex design needs to be processed quickly and as free of force as possible.

Laser melting cutting, contactles:

Characteristic: contactless. This laser cutting process takes place without contact and is one of the most used processes in industry. With the most modern machines, this type of laser cutting metal allows best cutting qualities in the separation of the most diverse materials. It is very often used in the machining of aluminum and stainless steel. The workpiece is melted and processed by the laser beam. In order to prevent the cutting surface oxidizing during laser beam melting, a low-reaction substance is used, for example the gas argon or nitrogen. Advantage: post-processing is not necessary.

Laser beam flame cutting, Incineration of material:

This laser cutting method is most commonly used for separating iron-containing materials. The material is heated to inflammatory temperature and burned by the addition of oxygen. The advantage of this type of laser cutting metal is the higher cutting speed than in other methods. This method is therefore suitable for the rapid production of parts. In addition, cutting thicknesses of up to 30 mm can be achieved.

Only the materials in which the ignition temperature is lower than the melting temperature can be used in laser beam cutting, for example in tool steel, stainless steel, automatic steel, construction steel. Since an oxide layer can form at the cutting edge in this method, post-processing is generally necessary.

Benefits Laser cutting metal

Highest precision and quality: The laser cutting metal is the current royal discipline among the separate manufacturing processes. With the aid of the laser, extremely narrow cutting joints are achieved. Even the finest designs in different metals can be easily implemented. The method is low in distortion and, depending on the material, hardly any post-processing is necessary. Also economically, the laser cutting metal is a clear advantage, since the laser machines are not subject to tool wear due to their contactlessness. In addition, the clamping and possible deformation of the workpiece remains, since during laser cutting metal is not exerted on the material.
Precision: If the laser cutting metal is carried out on multilayer material, the laser beam can be controlled so precisely that it only cuts the upper layer and does not touch the lower material layers.

Good to know: Watched for laser cutting of metal

Invisible laser radiation is used in laser cutting metal. The performance is so high that scattered and reflected beam components can lead to skin and eye damage. For this reason, when laser cutting metal, a closed cabin is usually used for the laser machines, which can only be opened when the laser beam is switched off.