In modern manufacturing, fiber laser cutting machines have become powerful assistants in the field of metal processing due to their high precision, high speed, and high flexibility. It can effortlessly complete cutting tasks from precision electronic components to large mechanical structural components. Today, we will provide a detailed introduction on how to use a fiber laser cutting machine to cut metal.
1、 Preparation before cutting
1. Equipment placement and environmental setup
Firstly, it is necessary to choose an ideal workspace for the fiber laser cutting machine. Place the device on a stable and sturdy workbench, ensuring that it does not shake during operation. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure a dry and well ventilated working environment to avoid damage to equipment caused by moisture and dust. In addition, it is necessary to stay away from strong electromagnetic interference sources such as large motors and welding machines to avoid affecting the normal operation of the equipment.
2. Connection between power supply and gas source
Carefully inspect the power cord of the equipment to ensure it is free from damage, aging, and other issues. According to the equipment manual, connect the power cord correctly, turn on the power switch of the device after connecting the power supply. At this point, the device will perform a self check and pay attention to the status of the indicator lights on the device panel to ensure that there are no abnormal alarms.
Fiber laser cutting machines usually require auxiliary gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, etc. during the cutting process. Therefore, it is necessary to connect the gas source well and check whether the gas path is sealed properly without any air leakage. Adjust the gas pressure and flow rate according to the cutting material and process requirements.
3. Metal material fixation
According to the shape, size, and thickness of the metal material to be cut, select the appropriate fixture and firmly fix it on the cutting worktable. For thin plate materials, magnetic fixtures can be used; For thick plates or materials with complex shapes, customized specialized fixtures may be required. Ensuring that the material does not undergo displacement during the cutting process is the key to ensuring cutting accuracy.
4. Inspection of cutting head and optical path
Check if the cutting head is securely installed without any looseness. At the same time, check if the nozzle of the cutting head is clean, unobstructed, or damaged. If there is a problem with the nozzle, it may affect the cutting effect and even cause equipment failure.
In addition, the optical path system should be checked to ensure that the laser transmission path is unobstructed and free of obstructions. The cleanliness of the lens can be checked through the self checking function of the device or manually. If there is dust or stains, specialized cleaning tools should be used for cleaning.
2、 Cutting parameter settings
1. Select cutting mode
Fiber laser cutting machines typically offer multiple cutting modes, such as pulse cutting, continuous cutting, etc. Choose the appropriate cutting mode based on the type and thickness of the metal material. For example, for thin sheet materials, continuous cutting mode may be more suitable, which can achieve higher cutting speed and better cutting quality; For thick plate materials, pulse cutting mode may better ensure cutting depth and effectiveness.
2. Set the laser power
Laser power is one of the important parameters that affect the cutting effect. The higher the power, the stronger the energy of the laser, and the deeper the cutting depth. However, excessive power may cause surface burns, deformations, and other issues with the material. Generally speaking, for thinner metal sheets, lower laser power can be chosen; For thicker sheets, it is necessary to increase the power appropriately. For example, when cutting a 1mm thick stainless steel plate, the laser power can be set at around 1000W; Cutting 5mm thick stainless steel plates may require an increase in power to 2000W-3000W.
3. Adjust the cutting speed
The cutting speed is closely related to the laser power. At a certain laser power, excessive cutting speed may result in incomplete cutting and penetration of the material; If the speed is too slow, it will affect production efficiency and may cause excessive heating of the material, resulting in rough and deformed cutting surfaces. Usually, the cutting speed needs to be optimized and adjusted according to the material thickness and laser power. For example, in the example of a 1mm thick stainless steel plate mentioned above, the cutting speed can be set between 1000mm/s and 1500mm/s; For 5mm thick stainless steel plates, the cutting speed may be reduced to 200mm/s-400mm/s.
4. Determine auxiliary gas parameters
Auxiliary gas plays a crucial role in fiber laser cutting. It can blow away the slag generated during the cutting process, protect the cutting head and lens, and also interact with the laser to improve cutting quality and speed. For different metal materials, suitable auxiliary gases need to be selected. For example, when cutting carbon steel, oxygen is commonly used as an auxiliary gas to release heat through the chemical reaction between oxygen and iron, thereby improving cutting efficiency; When cutting stainless steel and aluminum alloys, nitrogen is a commonly used auxiliary gas that can prevent oxidation of the cutting surface and achieve better cutting quality.
In addition, the pressure and flow rate of auxiliary gas should be adjusted according to the material thickness and cutting process requirements. Generally speaking, the thicker the material, the greater the required gas pressure and flow rate. For example, when cutting 1mm thick carbon steel, the oxygen pressure can be set between 0.5MPa-0.8MPa; Cutting 5mm thick carbon steel may require an increase in oxygen pressure to 1.0MPa-1.5MPa.
5. Adjust the focus position
The focal position determines the distribution of laser energy on the material surface and has a significant impact on cutting quality. The focal position is too high, the laser energy is scattered, and the cutting depth is insufficient; If the focal position is too low, it may cause surface burns on the material. Usually, fiber laser cutting machines are equipped with autofocus systems, but in practical operation, fine adjustments still need to be made based on material thickness and cutting requirements. For thin plate materials, the focus can be set on the surface of the material or slightly below the surface; For thick plate materials, the focus generally needs to be adjusted to a certain depth inside the material. The optimal focal position can be determined through the device's focusing function or trial cutting.
3、 Cutting operation process
1. Import cutting graphics
After completing the cutting parameter settings, import the designed cutting pattern into the control system of the fiber laser cutting machine. Cutting graphics can be vector graphics drawn using CAD and other drawing software, or bitmap graphics obtained through scanning or photography. After importing the graphic, carefully check whether the size, shape, and position of the graphic are correct to ensure that it meets the cutting requirements.
2. Simulated cutting
Before officially starting the cutting process, it is recommended to perform a simulated cutting operation. By simulating cutting, the equipment will operate according to the set parameters and cutting path, but will not emit laser. This can check whether the cutting path is correct, whether there is a risk of collision, and whether the equipment is operating normally. If problems are found during the simulation cutting process, such as cutting path errors, equipment movement lagging, etc., they should be adjusted and repaired in a timely manner.
3. Start cutting
After confirming that there are no issues with the simulated cutting, start the laser and cutting equipment. At this point, the laser beam will cut the metal material according to the preset path and parameters. During the cutting process, it is important to closely observe the operation of the equipment, pay attention to whether the cutting head moves smoothly, and whether there are any abnormal sounds or sparks during the cutting process. At the same time, attention should be paid to the cutting quality, such as whether the cutting surface is smooth, free of burrs, and whether the cutting seam width is uniform. If the cutting quality is found to be unsatisfactory, cutting should be paused in a timely manner, the reasons analyzed, and parameters adjusted.
4、 Post cutting processing and equipment maintenance
1. Inspection and cleaning of cutting parts
After cutting, carefully remove the cutting piece and use tools such as sandpaper and file to clean and polish the cutting edge, remove burrs and slag generated during the cutting process, and make the cutting surface smoother. At the same time, check whether the dimensional accuracy and shape of the cutting parts meet the requirements. If there is a deviation, analyze the reasons, which may be improper cutting parameter settings, material deformation, or equipment accuracy issues, and take corresponding measures to improve.
2. Equipment cleaning and maintenance
Regular cleaning and maintenance of fiber laser cutting machines are key to ensuring long-term stable operation and extending their service life. After cutting, use a clean soft cloth to wipe the surface of the equipment to remove dust and debris. Clean up the residue and waste on the cutting workbench and keep it clean. At the same time, it is necessary to regularly clean and maintain key components such as cutting heads, nozzles, and lenses. For example, use specialized lens cleaning agents and dust-free cloths to clean the lenses and ensure their light transmittance; Check the nozzle for wear or blockage, and replace it promptly if there are any issues.
In addition, regular maintenance should be carried out on the transmission system, lubrication system, etc. of the equipment according to the requirements of the equipment manual, such as adding lubricating oil and checking the tightness of the belt.
3. Troubleshooting and Recording
During the use of the device, if there are any malfunctions such as the laser not emitting light or abnormal movement of the cutting head, they should be promptly investigated and repaired. Firstly, check the alarm information of the device and analyze the cause of the malfunction based on the alarm prompts. Common causes of malfunctions include power supply issues, optical path failures, control system failures, etc. If you are unable to solve the problem yourself, you should promptly contact the technical support personnel of the equipment manufacturer for repair.
At the same time, it is necessary to keep records of equipment usage and malfunctions, including equipment operating time, cutting materials and parameters, occurrence time and phenomenon of malfunctions, etc. These records help analyze the operational status of the equipment, identify potential issues in a timely manner, and provide reference for equipment maintenance and upkeep.
Mastering the technology of cutting metals with fiber laser cutting machines requires continuous practice and exploration. By strictly following the above steps and paying attention to equipment maintenance, we believe that you will be able to fully utilize the performance of the fiber laser cutting machine and achieve efficient and accurate metal cutting.
