With the highly advanced and sophisticated energy that laser cutting in Toronto provides, it lends itself to applications in manufacturing, communications, and medical. With its ability to heat, melt, and vaporize materials, lasers are recognized as the ideal technology for channeling extreme and intense yet controllable energy. It offers a wide spectrum of benefits to users and manufacturers alike, particularly when it is used through CNC laser cutting machines.
It is one of the best cutting technologies that lend itself to automation with CAM/CAD systems that control the entire process. However, there are two major factors that should be known about this technology to prevent failing cuts.
Lens affecting the cut thickness
Laser cutting in Toronto involves a highly focused laser beam using a lens or concave mirrors pointing to a spot on a sheet metal to create the desired cut. This lens, in turn, is described in focal length or the amount of distance from mirrors to the focused part. In this case, the efficiency of the cutting process is greatly impacted by the focused spot diameter and the focus depth. The latter factor refers to the necessary distance that is predetermined to achieve a satisfactory cut. It must correspond to the area of the focused spot that should be below 50%.
To put it clearer, the following requirements must be present:
- High power density, leading to small size of focused spot
- Long depth of focus to cut thicker materials
However, these parameters are conflicting and so must be carefully considered. Otherwise, a cut failure is expected to happen.
Reflection causing difficulties
Remember that the beam of light is directed and focused to the spot to be cut through the lens or mirrors reflecting the powerful light. This means that when the beam is reflected by the sheet metal it is working on, the light can be transmitted back via the beam delivery options and into the laser machine itself, causing great damage. You have to take note that the reflection is not primarily caused by the sheet metal surface but is due to the formation of a molten pool that can be very reflective. This is why an addition of alloying elements is done to reduce the reflectivity of sheet metal being cut, especially in the case of aluminum.
As experts of laser cutting in Toronto, we always ensure that those aspects are well-thought of every time we are performing the task. We don’t want even a small defect in the parts and products we are cutting.
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