Laser Cutting Thin Aluminium Sheet

Co 2 lasers use an electromagnetically stimulated gas typically a mixture.

Laser cutting thin aluminium sheet.

The thinner the material the better. Otherwise you are simply using a sledgehammer to crack nuts and losing yourself money for doing so. Using a high power laser machine on thin metals can create several problems that could be avoided with a lower powered machine. As a sophisticated machining method laser cutting can cut almost all materials including 2d or 3d cutting of thin metal sheets.

On axis gas assist further reduces the head affected zone and oxidation on cuts while preventing slag on the back side. Galvanometer steered thin metal. Osh cut specializes in both rapid short run and production metal laser cutting. Given its dominance in the sheet metal cutting industry this article focuses on laser fusion cutting.

If you d like to learn more about ablative laser cutting check out this article on micron scale manufacturing. Mike klos laser mechanisms converting to millimeters that s 1550 watts mm 2. One of our many specialties is the cutting and shaping of thin metals. Previously it was punched out a hole with the punch mold in the laser stamping machine then the laser began to cut through the hole.

Use our online quoting system to get instant pricing and order your parts online or contact us for a quote on more specialized jobs. Our use of single mode lasers ensure minimal thermal distortion. Kern s co2 and fiber laser systems can be equipped with innovative metal cutting technology. The metal cutting option allows for accurate cutting of sheet metals like stainless steel mild steel aluminum copper and brass.

Generally for any kind of hot cutting technology drill a small hole in the sheet metal is necessary except a few cases can start from the edge of the sheet metal. A gantry or motion table moves the laser head and sheet metal achieving the full cut depth in a single pass. Our range of laser cut widths kerfs is 10 50 microns. We cut most metals including steel stainless steel aluminum copper brass and nickel.

Sheet metal cutting requires a power density of 10 6 watts in 2 source. Many laser job shops have difficulty cutting and drilling thin metals laserod does not. The automatic focusing height follower developed by kern laser systems is one of the key elements for optimal metal. The two most common laser cutting methods are.

As a reference a 40 w laser can cut through paper cardboard foam and thin plastic while a 300 w laser can cut through thin steel and thicker plastic. Fiber lasers vs co 2. To make your first laser cut sheet metal part you have to do the following. The two most common types of laser cutting machines are fiber laser and co 2.

If you wish to cut through 2 mm or thicker steel sheets you ll need at least 500 w. Volkswagen ag uses a 500w laser to cut complex body sheets and various curved parts. 1in 2 645mm 2 a 100 watt laser can achieve a power density of 1550 watts mm 2 in a spot size that is 0 6452mm 2 a spot size that is 0 6452mm 2 has a diameter of of 28mm or 280 micron using area pi d 2 2 280 micron. Laser cutting small parts accurately and with repeatability on thinner sheet metals does require a lower power system.