When to Use steel cutting laser machine？

As an advanced metal processing method, laser cutting utilizes a high energy density laser beam to melt or vaporize the material, which has the remarkable features of high speed, high precision, high quality and high efficiency. Laser cutting is an efficient and high-precision cutting method that is widely used for stainless steel sheets of various thicknesses. Laser cut stainless steel sheet is widely used in many fields such as construction, decoration, machinery, kitchen utensils and so on.

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Applications of Metal Laser Cutting Machine on Stainless Steel

Laser cutting stainless steel has a wide range of applications, covering many fields such as machinery manufacturing, construction and decoration, home appliance manufacturing and metal processing.

Precision Cutting for Medical Industry

Medical device manufacturing has extremely high requirements for the precision and quality of components, and s laser cutting machine for stainless steel is an ideal for meeting these needs. Medical devices often require complex piping and connecting structures, and laser cutting technology enables high-precision, loss-free cutting of tubes of different materials and shapes.

Automotive Industry

In automobile manufacturing, stainless steel laser cutting machine is widely used. Automobile parts usually require complex pipes and curved structures, and traditional cutting methods are difficult to meet these needs. Stainless steel laser cutting machines are able to accurately cut a variety of tubes without loss of material quality through precise control of the laser beam. This advanced technology improves the quality and productivity of parts, and excels especially in handling complex stainless steel pipes. Stainless steel laser cutting provides an efficient and precise solution for the automotive manufacturing industry.

Mechanical and Industrial Parts

Laser cut stainless steel ensures high resistance and extremely high manufacturing accuracy of precision parts to tolerances of 0.01 mm. Applications include the manufacture of precision gears, brackets and mounting components, where laser cutting technology guarantees the accuracy of tool profiles and maintains the efficient operation of mechanical systems. While ensuring accurate specifications for metal parts, laser cutting provides a reliable foundation for safe and stable mounting. For rapid prototyping, the best laser cutting stainless steel provides a precise and efficient solution.

Kitchens and Utensils

Laser for cutting stainless steels plays a key role in the kitchenware industry. It meets the high demands for quality and design in kitchenware through efficient and precise cutting solutions. This technology is widely used in the manufacture of knives, enabling precision cutting and engraving of blades, increasing the durability and effectiveness of knives. Meanwhile, laser cutting is used to create kitchenware of all shapes and sizes, ensuring consistency and a beautiful appearance. For pipes and connecting parts, laser cutting stainless steel tubes enables high-precision, loss-free cutting, ensuring precision and reliability of parts. In addition, laser cutting technology provides flexibility for customized designs, allowing manufacturers to easily implement complex customization needs. Most importantly, the highly automated process of laser cutting improves production efficiency, providing kitchenware manufacturers with strong support in responding to high volumes of orders and customization needs.

Laser Stainless Steel Doors and Frames

Laser cut stainless steel is used to achieve precision cutting and engraving of window and door frames, enhancing the visual appeal and durability of windows and doors. This helps to create exquisite and powerful door and window products that meet consumers’ pursuit of high-quality residential decoration. Laser cutting technology is also used to process windows and doors in a variety of shapes and sizes, ensuring a consistent and aesthetically pleasing product appearance.

The Advantages of Laser Cutting Stainless Steel

Clean Edges:

One of the significant advantages of laser cutting stainless steel is the clean and burr-free cuts it produces without causing the material to warp, thus significantly improving cut quality and the final product is guaranteed to be flawless.

Low Thermal Impact

Due to the low heat generated during laser cutting, it is particularly suitable for handling tiny parts, avoiding the adverse effects of thermal influences on the part.

No Maintenance

Laser technology in stainless steel cutting does not require frequent maintenance, providing easier operation for routine projects.

High Accuracy

Laser cutting is able to maintain high accuracy when cutting stainless steel, ensuring that the results meet precise requirements.

High Consistency

The laser cutting machine’s stainless steel cutting tolerance is about ±0.001mm, and the repetitive positioning accuracy is about 0.02mm, which ensures that each part has the same high quality standard.

Efficient and Fast

Laser cutting can increase productivity by completing metal cutting projects in the shortest possible time.

The laser cutting technology for stainless steel plate demonstrates a high degree of adaptability to complex shapes and precise cutting of materials. This processing method not only improves the utilization of materials, but also significantly increases the production efficiency. Through laser cutting, stainless steel can be accurately engraved into various shapes to meet the needs of different industries for high-quality and high-precision processing.

How Thick Can a Laser Cut Stainless Steel?

Typically, the thickness of stainless steel sheets ranges from 0.1 mm to 25 mm, and laser cutting machines are perfectly adapted to sheet thicknesses within this range.

In the thinner thickness range, such as between 0.1 mm and 2 mm, laser cutting performs well with high quality cutting edges, avoiding problems of burrs or distortion.

Medium thickness stainless steel plates, between 2 mm and 10 mm, are also suitable for laser cutting, but in this range more attention needs to be paid to the choice of cutting speed and beam quality to ensure a high level of cut quality.

For relatively thick stainless steel sheets, between 10 mm and 25 mm thick, laser cutting is correspondingly more difficult. In this case, higher power and slower cutting speeds are required to overcome the thickness of the material but still achieve high quality cuts.

The efficiency of 500W~W fiber laser cutting machines for different thicknesses stainless steel plates in the following table:

How to Laser Cut Stainless Steel?

Material Preparation

First, prepare the stainless steel sheet by cleaning it to remove any dirt or oil that may interfere with the cutting process.

Machine Setup

Configure the laser cutter according to the type and thickness of the stainless steel. This includes setting the proper power level and cutting speed.

Machine Parameter Settings

To measure the superiority or inferiority of laser cutting stainless steel plate cutting, it is mainly from the roughness, perpendicularity, cutting width, grain, burr, the size of the heat-affected area, and whether it causes deformation of the plate in the cutting and so on to comprehensively judge several aspects. If you want to cut quality stainless steel thick plate workpiece, you need to pay attention to the process and parameters mentioned below.

Nozzle Selection

The choice of nozzle diameter plays a key role in the process of laser cutting stainless steel plate. The size of the nozzle diameter directly affects the shape of the gas flow, gas diffusion area and gas flow rate, thus affecting the removal of molten material and cutting stability. As the thickness of the stainless steel plate increases, the diameter of the nozzle should be increased accordingly, and the proportional valve needs to be set to a larger value in order to increase the gas flow rate and ensure the pressure, so as to realize the normal cutting effect.

The selection of the aperture is related to the power of the laser cutting machine, as the power increases, the heat generated will also increase, so a larger gas volume is required. Generally speaking, when cutting plates below 3mm, choose a nozzle with a 2.0mm orifice; when cutting plates from 3mm to 10mm, choose a 3.0mm nozzle; while cutting plates above 10mm requires the use of a nozzle of 3.5mm and above.

Auxiliary Gas Selection and Gas Purity

In stainless steel laser cutting, a variety of auxiliary gases are commonly used, such as oxygen, nitrogen, air and so on. Different gas types will affect the effect of the cut section, and nitrogen is the preferred auxiliary gas for stainless steel cutting. Nitrogen can effectively maintain the original color of stainless steel and prevent oxidation, thus avoiding the need for rework of the workpiece. It is recommended to use nitrogen with purity≥99.995%. Roc Laser’s self-developed nitrogen generator can stably produce nitrogen gas with purity greater than 99.99%, which is suitable for laser welding and laser cutting of various metal materials.

Focus Position

The position of the focal point has an important impact on the thickness, material and quality of the cut. Depending on the material and thickness of the cut, the focus position needs to be adjusted. In stainless steel cutting, negative out-of-focus is predominant, and the cutting process parameters are tested and analyzed by measuring the zero focus and using it as a reference.

Zero Focus: The laser focus is on the surface of the cut workpiece, suitable for thin carbon copper below 1mm, etc. The upper surface is cut smooth, while the lower surface is not smooth.

Negative focal length: The laser focus is below the surface of the cut workpiece, stainless steel cutting method, the focus is below the plate surface, so the range of smooth surface is larger, the slit is wider than the zero focal length slit, the gas flow is larger when cutting, and the perforation time is longer than the zero focal length. The deeper the focal point, the larger the laser cut slit on the plate surface. The larger the cut slit, the more the laser energy is dispersed, which leads to slower and slower speed.

Positive focal length: the laser focus is above the surface of the cut workpiece, used when cutting carbon steel with oxygen, the surface is blackened and the section is rougher.

Laser Frequency Adjustment

By adjusting the laser frequency, the cutting section effect can be improved. By lowering the frequency to the range of 500-Hz, the cut section becomes more delicate and the delamination improves. In order to ensure an optimal cut section, it is necessary to ensure that the number of pulses is perfectly matched to the energy of a single pulse.

Pulse Duty Cycle

The pulse duty cycle is an important parameter that influences the cutting effect. When the pulse duty cycle is lower than 45%, the lower surface may show traces of undercutting; and when the duty cycle is increased to 60%, the section becomes rough, the delamination is obvious, and the cutting surface may be yellowed. Therefore, it is necessary to find the optimal pulse duty cycle range around the 45% critical value to ensure the best cutting effect.

In addition to the above parameters, there are some other parameters will also affect the effect of laser cutting stainless steel, such as the laser beam diameter, scanning speed, scanning distance and so on. In practical application, according to the thickness, shape, hardness and other factors of the cutting material need to be considered comprehensively, in order to achieve the best cutting effect.

Cutting Process

Start the cutting process. The laser beam will follow the path defined in the digital design to cut the stainless steel plate.

Post-cutting Operation

After cutting, the cut stainless steel edges may need to be cleaned or remove burrs.

Why Choose DP LASER CNC Laser Cutting Machine for Stainless Steel?

Our laser cutting equipment is affordable, thanks to our multiple manufacturing facilities in China, which reduces production costs. Secondly, we have a strong design team, including over 300 engineers, who are constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation to ensure that our laser cutting equipment remains at the forefront of the industry.

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To meet the needs of different manufacturing companies, our fiber laser cutting machine can be customized to meet specific customer requirements. This flexibility allows our equipment to be adapted to the different production needs of a wide range of industries, making it the preferred choice of manufacturing companies of all sizes.

Multiple divisions around the world provide us with the ability to respond more quickly to meet the after-sales needs of our overseas customers and provide on-site training services. Helping our customers to better utilize their laser equipment ensures that they are able to take full advantage of their laser equipment and improve productivity.

In addition to affordability and customization, we are constantly working to refine and optimize our equipment to ensure that it always performs at its best.

With laser technology, we have not only improved the precision and efficiency of cutting, but also realized a more flexible design and production process. Stainless steel, as a common and important material, plays a key role in a variety of industries, and the development of laser cutting technology has opened up entirely new possibilities for its processing. As technology continues to advance, we can expect laser cutting machine for stainless steel to continue to play a more important role in the field of stainless steel processing.

Laser cutting is a technique that utilizes high-power lasers to cut through various materials, including metal. It’s known for its high precision, speed, and versatility, and is a preferred method for numerous industries. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive look at laser cutting metals, focusing on its process, capabilities, applications, and various parameters.Metal Laser Cutting

Can metal be cut with a laser?

Yes, metal can be cut with a laser. In fact, laser cutting is one of the most efficient methods for processing various types of metals. It’s capable of delivering precise cuts, complex shapes, and high-quality edges, making it an excellent choice for diverse industries.

How does metal laser cutting work?

Metal laser cutting involves a highly concentrated laser beam that’s directed onto the metal surface. The heat from the laser melts or vaporizes the metal, producing a clean, accurate cut. Here are the main stages of metal laser cutting:

• Designing the cutting pattern: Before the actual cutting, the design or pattern is created in CAD or other graphic software.
• Configuring the laser cutter: The operator sets the power, speed, and focus of the laser according to the type and thickness of the metal.
• Cutting the metal: The laser cutter follows the design pattern, cutting through the metal with high precision.
• Cooling and post-processing: After cutting, the metal parts are cooled and any residual debris is removed. Additional post-processing steps may include deburring or applying protective coatings.

What are the different types of laser cutters used for metal cutting?

There are two main types of laser cutters used for metal cutting: Fiber laser cutters and CO2 laser cutters. Each comes with its unique strengths and drawbacks.

Fiber laser cutters

Fiber lasers are known for producing narrower beams, thus providing about quadruple the effective power for the same laser output energy. They operate faster and with greater precision than their CO2 counterparts. Fiber laser cutting has lower operating costs due to electrical efficiency and solid-state construction, but they require more nitrogen shielding gas in the cutting process. They are suitable for high-precision cuts on thinner metal parts.

CO2 laser cutters

CO2 laser cutters deliver a wider cutter beam width and are capable of higher device power. They are better suited for lower-precision cuts on thicker parts. The initial cost of equipment (CAPEX) for CO2 lasers is lower than for fiber lasers, but operating costs (OPEX) are higher per length of cut.

What are the main parts of a metal laser cutter?

A metal laser cutter is composed of several key components:

• Laser resonator: This is where the laser beam is generated.
• Cutting head: This component houses the focusing lens that directs the laser beam onto the metal surface.
• CNC controller: The computer numerical control (CNC) system controls the machine’s movements and operations based on the design inputs.
• Gas delivery system: This system delivers assist gas to the cutting head to help eject molten metal and minimize oxidation.
• Chiller: This part cools the machine components to prevent overheating during operation.

What are the main parameters of metal laser cutting process?

When cutting metal with a laser, several parameters must be carefully managed to achieve the desired results:

• Laser power: This refers to the amount of energy that the laser can deliver, measured in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW).
• Cutting speed: This is the speed at which the laser cutter moves across the material. It directly affects the cut quality and efficiency.
• Pulse frequency: This is the number of laser pulses per second. It can affect the cut quality, speed, and the overall heat affected zone (HAZ).
• Focus spot size: This is the diameter of the laser beam at its focal point. Smaller spot sizes result in narrower cuts and higher cut quality.
• Assist gas pressure: The assist gas helps eject molten material and minimize oxidation. Its pressure must be correctly set depending on the type and thickness of the material.

What are the cutting tolerances for metal laser cutting?

The typical laser cutting tolerances for metals are:

• For thin sheet metal (up to 1mm): +/- 0.1mm to +/- 0.2mm
• For medium thickness sheet metal (1mm to 5mm): +/- 0.2mm to +/- 0.5mm
• For thicker materials (over 5mm): +/- 0.5mm to +/- 1.0mm

What is the thickest metal that can be laser cut?

The thickness of metal that can be cut with a laser depends on the type of laser and its power. Generally, a laser can cut steel up to 1 inch (25.4mm) thick, stainless steel up to 0.75 inches (19.05mm), and aluminum up to 0.5 inches (12.7mm).

What are metal types suitable for laser cutting?

Different types of metals have unique properties that make them suitable for laser cutting. Here’s a brief rundown of each of these metals and their physical and chemical properties:

Mild Steel (Carbon Steel)

Mild steel, also known as carbon steel, is a popular choice for laser cutting. It’s affordable, durable, and offers excellent weldability. With carbon content up to 0.3%, it’s not as brittle as higher-carbon steels.

• Melting point: 2,600 to 2,800 degrees Fahrenheit
• Tensile strength: 370-500 MPa
• Specific gravity: 7.85

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a corrosion-resistant alloy that’s ideal for a wide range of laser cutting stainless steel applications. It offers good strength and excellent resistance to oxidation.

• Melting point: 2,550 to 2,750 degrees Fahrenheit
• Tensile strength: 515 MPa
• Specific gravity: 7.93

Aluminum

Aluminum is a lightweight, soft, and ductile metal with excellent corrosion resistance thus making aluminum laser cutting ideal for a range of industrial applications.

• Melting point: 1,220 degrees Fahrenheit
• Tensile strength: 90-140 MPa
• Specific gravity: 2.70

Brass

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. It’s easy to machine, has good corrosion resistance, and is excellent for decorative purposes.

• Melting point: 1,650 to 1,720 degrees Fahrenheit
• Tensile strength: 345-470 MPa
• Specific gravity: 8.4-8.73

Copper

Copper has excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. It is tough, ductile, and can be readily welded and soldered.

• Melting point: 1,984 degrees Fahrenheit
• Tensile strength: 210-360 MPa
• Specific gravity: 8.96

Galvanized Steel

Galvanized steel is steel that has been coated with a layer of zinc to improve its corrosion resistance.

• Melting point: 2,600 to 2,800 degrees Fahrenheit
• Tensile strength: 330-505 MPa
• Specific gravity: 7.85

Titanium

Titanium is known for its strength, lightness, and corrosion resistance. It’s one of the most difficult metals to cut, but laser cutting can handle it efficiently.

• Melting point: 3,034 degrees Fahrenheit
• Tensile strength: 240-370 MPa
• Specific gravity: 4.506

Nickel Alloys

Nickel alloys are resistant to corrosion and can maintain their structural integrity at high temperatures, making them ideal for use in harsh environments.

• Melting point: Varies by alloy
• Tensile strength: Varies by alloy
• Specific gravity: Varies by alloy

Silver

Silver is a soft, white, lustrous metal that possesses the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of all metals.

• Melting point: 1,762 degrees Fahrenheit
• Tensile strength: 170 MPa
• Specific gravity: 10.49

Gold

Gold is a dense, soft, shiny metal that’s the most malleable and ductile of all known metals.

• Melting point: 1,948 degrees Fahrenheit
• Tensile strength: 120 MPa
• Specific gravity: 19.32

Platinum

Platinum is a dense, malleable, ductile, highly unreactive, precious metal with a silvery-white color.

• Melting point: 3,215 degrees Fahrenheit
• Tensile strength: 125-240 MPa
• Specific gravity: 21.45

Zinc

Zinc is a bluish-white, lustrous, diamagnetic metal. It’s somewhat less dense than iron and has a hexagonal crystal structure.

• Melting point: 787.15 degrees Fahrenheit
• Tensile strength: 110-200 MPa
• Specific gravity: 7.14

Tin

Tin is a malleable, ductile, highly crystalline, silvery-white metal. Its main use is to prevent corrosion.

• Melting point: 449.47 degrees Fahrenheit
• Tensile strength: 9-14 MPa
• Specific gravity: 7.265

Lead

Lead is a heavy metal that is denser than most common materials. It’s soft and malleable, and has a relatively low melting point.

• Melting point: 621.43 degrees Fahrenheit
• Tensile strength: 17 MPa
• Specific gravity: 11.34

Inconel

Inconel is a family of austenitic nickel-chromium-based superalloys. It’s resistant to oxidation and corrosion and performs well at high temperatures.

• Melting point: 2,350 to 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit
• Tensile strength: 690-965 MPa
• Specific gravity: 8.2

What is the best metal for laser cutting?

The best metal for laser cutting depends on the specific application and requirements. However, mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum are among the most commonly used due to their excellent machinability and compatibility with laser cutting.

What are the advantages of using laser cutting to cut metals?

Here are some of the key advantages of using laser cutting to cut metals:

• Speed: Laser cutting is much faster than traditional cutting methods.
• Accuracy: The process offers high precision and accuracy.
• Low cost: Laser cutting is cost-effective, especially for complex designs and large volumes.
• Cut any metal: With the right power, a laser cutter can cut almost any type of metal.
• Clean cuts: The laser cutting process results in clean, smooth cuts with minimal burring.
• Versatility: It can be used for cutting complex shapes and designs.
• No contact: As a non-contact process, it minimizes damage to the target material.
• Automation: Laser cutting can be fully automated for increased productivity and consistency.

What are the industries that utilize laser cutting for metal?

Laser cutting is used in a variety of industries. Here are a few examples:

• Automotive: For producing parts such as engine components, body parts, and interior components.
• Aerospace: For cutting lightweight, high-strength parts for aircraft and spacecraft.
• Manufacturing: For producing parts for a wide range of products and machinery.
• Electronics: For cutting parts for electronic devices and circuit boards.
• Construction: For creating parts for construction equipment and building materials.
• Medical: For creating surgical instruments and medical devices.

What Are Important Factors to Consider When Laser Cutting Metal?

When laser cutting metal, it’s important to take into consideration a few key factors:

• Material Type and Thickness: The type of metal and its thickness will significantly impact the power requirements, cutting speed, and gas pressures needed for successful laser cutting. Different materials will respond differently to the laser, which can influence the quality of the cut.
• Laser Power and Type: Whether it’s a CO2 laser or a fiber laser, the power and type of laser can affect cutting speeds, cut quality, and the thickness of the material that can be cut. High power lasers are typically needed for thicker materials.
• Cutting Speeds: Faster cutting speeds may increase productivity, but could also produce more heat that might affect cut quality, edge smoothness, and the need for post processing.
• Assist Gas: The use of different assist gases, such as oxygen or nitrogen, can impact the cut quality and speed. They also play a role in heat management and evacuating melted material during the cutting process.
• Design Complexity: The complexity of the design will affect the cutting path and time, as well as the need for any secondary operations like bending or deburring.

Common mistakes to avoid include:

1. Not accounting for the kerf (the width of the cut made by the laser) in the design which can lead to inaccuracies in the finished product.
2. Not testing and adjusting parameters (like power, speed, and assist gas pressure) when switching between different types of metals or thicknesses.
3. Ignoring regular machine maintenance, such as cleaning the lens and ensuring proper alignment, which can negatively impact cut quality and machine longevity.

How to Laser Cut Metals?

Laser cutting metals involves several steps:

1. Designing the Parts: Design your parts using CAD software, keeping in mind the thickness of the material and the laser’s capabilities.
2. Setting Up the Machine: This involves choosing the right power settings, speed, and assist gas pressure based on the metal type and thickness.
3. Loading the Material: Securely place the sheet metal onto the cutting bed of the machine.
4. Running the Program: After everything is set up, run the program and let the laser cutter do the work. Always monitor the process for any potential issues.
5. Unloading and Post Processing: Once the cutting is complete, remove the parts from the machine. Inspect the edges and, if necessary, perform any post-processing such as deburring.

What are the Most Important Preparations for Metal Laser Cutting?

Before beginning the laser cutting process, there are a few key preparations:

1. Designing for Laser Cutting: Ensure your designs are compatible with the capabilities of the laser cutter, taking into consideration the kerf and any potential unsupported areas.
2. Material Preparation: Clean the surface of the metal to remove any dust, grease, or rust which could interfere with the laser beam.
3. Machine Calibration: Perform routine maintenance on your laser cutter, such as cleaning the lenses and mirrors, and ensure the machine is correctly calibrated for the material you are using.
4. Safety Preparations: Always wear the appropriate safety gear, ensure the workspace is well-ventilated, and have fire safety equipment available.

Safety Tips When Metal Laser Cutting

1. Wear the appropriate safety gear, such as goggles, gloves, and fire-resistant clothing.
2. Ensure the workspace is well-ventilated to remove any fumes produced during cutting.
3. Regularly maintain and inspect your laser cutter to prevent malfunctions that could lead to accidents.
4. Always have fire safety equipment nearby as laser cutting can produce sparks.
5. Don’t leave the machine unattended while it is running.

Design Tips for Metal Laser Cutting

1. Design for the material’s thickness, taking into consideration the laser’s kerf.
2. Avoid complex designs that could lead to overheating or distort the material.
3. Account for the possibility of heat distortion by leaving sufficient space between cuts.
4. Make sure that any ‘islands’ in the design are properly supported.

Is laser cutting metal expensive?

Laser cutting metal is a precise and versatile method of shaping sheets of metal, but the cost can vary greatly depending on the specific needs of a project. Several factors influence the price including the type of metal, its thickness, the complexity of the cut, and the type of laser cutter used.

On average, laser cutting services can range from $1 to $1.50 per minute of cutting time for materials with a thickness of 1-2 mm. Thus, the cost for a single cut could range from a few dollars for simple cuts to several hundred dollars for complex, precision cuts on thicker materials. It’s essential to remember that these costs can escalate quickly for larger projects or more complex cuts. However, when factoring in the precision and versatility that laser cutting offers, many find it to be a worthwhile investment.

Keep in mind, these are just the service costs. If you’re considering purchasing a laser cutter, the upfront costs can be much higher.

How much is a laser cutter for metal?

The cost of a laser cutter for metal can vary widely, depending on the type of laser, the power of the machine, and its capabilities. The price of a fiber laser that can cut steel ranges from $30,000 to $600,000, while the price of a CO2 laser with steel-cutting capabilities ranges from $10,000 to $200,000.

Entry-level metal laser cutters can start at around $10,000 to $20,000, but these may have limited power and cutting capabilities. These options are often suited for hobbyists or small businesses that don’t need to cut thick metals frequently.

For more industrial-grade metal laser cutters with higher power and precision, the prices can range from $30,000 to several hundred thousand dollars. These machines are built for heavy-duty use and can handle larger volumes of metal with greater thickness.

Lastly, large, high-powered industrial metal laser cutters used in heavy-duty applications can cost even more, going into the millions. These machines are typically used in large manufacturing or industrial settings where high volume and precision are paramount.

How fast can a laser cutter cut metal?

The speed of a laser cutter can vary greatly depending on a number of factors including the type of laser (CO2, fiber, etc.), the power of the laser, the type and thickness of the metal, and the complexity of the cut.

For thin sheet metals (up to 1-2mm), laser cutting speeds can range from 100 inches per minute (IPM) to IPM. Thicker materials (e.g., 6mm and above) might have cutting speeds in the range of 10 IPM to 200 IPM.

It’s crucial to note that the speed of the laser cutter affects the cutting efficiency, but it’s also important to balance speed with the required precision and edge quality. Higher cutting speeds might result in increased heat and potential for burrs or rough edges, while slower speeds can offer better control and smoother cuts.

Manufacturers often optimize cutting parameters to achieve the best balance between speed and cut quality for a specific material and thickness, with various assist gases (e.g., nitrogen, oxygen) being used to help achieve these optimal conditions.

Which are the best metal laser cutting machines?

There are many excellent laser cutting machines on the market, but choosing the right one depends on your specific needs. The ideal laser cutter for metal should have:

• High cutting speed and efficiency
• Excellent precision and cutting quality
• Good repeatability and stability
• High power for cutting thicker materials
• User-friendly software and controls
• Good service and support from the manufacturer

One highly-regarded brand in the laser cutting industry is Accurl, а Chinese press brake and laser cutter manufacturer, known for its metal laser cutters.

• Smart 1kW to 3kW Fiber Laser Machines: These machines are engineered to be incredibly fast and flexible. The ACCURL Smart small laser cutting machine is ideal for ultra-high-speed cutting of thin sheet metal parts and similar materials. They are designed to cut a wide range of ferrous and non-ferrous metals while increasing productivity and reducing operating costs.
• SmartLINE 2kW to 4kW Fiber Laser Machines: The ACCURL® SmartLINE is packed with easy-to-use features. It is a compact, versatile, and productive 2D laser cutting machine that delivers undisputed efficiency and superior quality results. Suitable for a wide range of materials used in metal fabrication, including highly-reflective metals and thick mild steel. Optional axis for round, square, and rectangular tubes available.
• MasterLINE 6kW to 15kW Fiber Laser Machines: ACCURL® MasterLINE machines are the most complete, compact, and configurable sheet metal laser cutter systems on the market, designed to evolve with your needs. MasterLINE fiber lasers are suitable for a wide range of materials, including highly-reflective metals and high thickness mild steel. They also have optional Axis for round, square, and rectangular tubes.

What are alternative technologies and processes used for laser cutting metal?

There are several alternative processes used for cutting metal, including:

• Plasma Cutting: This uses a high-velocity jet of ionized gas to cut through electrically conductive materials. Plasma cutting is typically faster than laser cutting, but it may not be as precise or leave as clean of an edge.
• Waterjet Cutting: This method uses a high-pressure jet of water, sometimes with an added abrasive substance, to cut through materials. Waterjet cutting can handle thicker materials than laser cutting and does not heat up the material, but it can be slower and less precise.
• Mechanical Cutting (e.g., sawing, shearing, milling): These traditional methods use a physical tool to cut the metal. While often less expensive than laser cutting, these methods typically do not offer the same level of precision and may require more post-processing to achieve a clean edge.

Compared to these alternatives, laser cutting provides a balance of speed, precision, and versatility. While other methods may be better suited to specific tasks or materials, laser cutting offers a broad range of capabilities that make it a versatile tool in metal fabrication.

Conclusion

Laser cutting is a versatile, precise, and efficient method for cutting metal. While the initial cost of laser cutting machines can be high, the speed and precision they offer can lead to increased productivity and reduced costs over time. With a variety of machines on the market, there is likely a laser cutter to fit any need or budget.

FAQs

1. What gas is used for laser cutting metal?

In laser cutting, assist gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, and air are commonly used. Oxygen is often used to cut ferrous metals due to its reactivity with the metal, which helps to speed up the cutting process. Nitrogen and air are used when a high-quality, oxide-free edge is needed, as they do not react with the cut surface.

2. Can a 100w CO2 laser cut metal?

A 100W CO2 laser is typically not powerful enough to cut through metal, especially if the metal is thicker. These lasers are often used for engraving or cutting non-metal materials like wood, acrylic, or leather.

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