During laser cutting, an auxiliary gas is often used to enhance the process and improve cut quality. For example, when cutting steel, oxygen is commonly used as the assist gas, which reacts with the molten metal in an exothermic oxidation reaction, helping to remove slag from the cut. For materials like polypropylene, compressed air is typically used, while flammable materials such as cotton or paper are cut using inert gases. In addition, the auxiliary gas also helps cool the focusing lens, preventing smoke and debris from entering the lens housing, which could otherwise cause damage or overheating.
Laser cutting offers a number of advantages over traditional methods like plasma cutting. It produces clean, burr-free edges with high precision, making it ideal for delicate or complex parts. Modern laser systems, controlled by computer programs, allow manufacturers to easily cut various shapes and sizes without the need for physical dies. While slower than die punching, laser cutting eliminates the cost of mold production and maintenance, reduces setup time, and lowers overall manufacturing costs, making it a more economical choice in many industries.
Laser cutting is versatile and can be applied to a wide range of materials, both organic and inorganic. In the metal industry, it can cut almost any type of metal regardless of its hardness, without causing distortion. However, highly reflective materials like gold, silver, copper, and aluminum alloys pose challenges due to their ability to reflect the laser beam and conduct heat efficiently, making them difficult or even impossible to cut with standard laser systems.
One of the key benefits of laser cutting is its precision and minimal impact on the material. Features such as a narrow slit width, a small heat-affected zone, and minimal local deformation make it ideal for high-quality applications. Unlike mechanical cutting tools, the laser beam does not touch the workpiece, eliminating mechanical stress, tool wear, and the need for tool changes. Additionally, the hardness of the material being cut does not affect the laser’s performance, allowing it to cut everything from soft plastics to extremely hard metals.
Compared to other thermal cutting methods, laser cutting is more precise and causes less distortion. Traditional methods often result in wider slits, larger heat-affected zones, and greater warping of the material. Moreover, lasers can cut non-metallic materials such as plastics, wood, and composites, which many other thermal cutting techniques cannot handle effectively.
Overall, laser cutting offers greater flexibility and precision compared to conventional machining processes. Its ability to adapt to different materials, shapes, and thicknesses makes it a preferred choice in modern manufacturing environments, especially where accuracy and efficiency are critical.
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