Views: 0 Author: Chole Publish Time: 2024-05-15 Origin: Tianchen Laser
By Chloe, Senior Applications Engineer at Tianchen Laser
As a lead engineer at Tianchen Laser, one of China's top fiber laser cutting machine manufacturers, I've spent over a decade working with customers worldwide to optimize their cutting processes. Through this experience, I've gained a deep understanding of the factors that influence laser cutting performance, and one of the most critical is the wavelength of the laser itself. In this article, I'll dive into how the unique wavelength of fiber lasers contributes to their exceptional cutting capabilities and what sets them apart from other laser technologies.
Fiber lasers operate at a wavelength of around 1070 nanometers (nm), which falls within the near-infrared spectrum. This specific wavelength offers several key advantages for metal cutting applications:
The 1070nm wavelength is readily absorbed by a wide range of metals, including steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and brass. This high absorption rate means that the laser energy is efficiently transferred into the material, allowing for fast, clean cuts with minimal reflectivity and heat-affected zone (HAZ).
In contrast, CO2 lasers, which operate at a much longer wavelength of around 10,600nm, are not as well-absorbed by metals, particularly reflective materials like aluminum and copper. This can lead to slower cutting speeds, increased power consumption, and potential quality issues.
Another benefit of the shorter fiber laser wavelength is that it can be focused to a much smaller spot size compared to CO2 lasers. This is due to the inverse relationship between wavelength and focal spot diameter - as wavelength decreases, the minimum achievable spot size also decreases.
A smaller focused spot results in higher power density, which enables fiber lasers to cut through thicker materials and achieve faster cutting speeds. It also allows for finer detail and intricate geometries, as the laser can produce narrower kerf widths and tighter corner radii.
The 1070nm wavelength of fiber lasers is well-suited for transmission through flexible optical fibers, which offers several advantages over the mirror-based beam delivery systems used with CO2 lasers.
Fiber delivery is more efficient, with lower power losses over longer distances. This allows for greater flexibility in machine layout and the ability to easily integrate the laser with robotic systems or automated material handling equipment.
Fiber delivery also simplifies maintenance and alignment requirements, as there are no mirrors or optics to adjust or replace. This reduces downtime and operating costs over the life of the machine.
While the 1070nm wavelength of fiber lasers provides a strong foundation for metal cutting performance, achieving optimal results still requires careful selection of process parameters. Some key considerations include:
The choice of assist gas can have a significant impact on cut quality and speed, particularly when processing metals with different reflectivity and thermal properties.
For example, when cutting mild steel, oxygen is often used as the assist gas to promote an exothermic reaction that enhances cutting speed and edge quality. However, for highly reflective metals like aluminum and copper, nitrogen or compressed air is typically used to minimize the risk of back reflections and nozzle damage.
Fiber lasers offer advanced pulse shaping and modulation capabilities that can be tuned to optimize cutting performance for specific materials and thicknesses.
By adjusting parameters like pulse duration, peak power, and pulse frequency, users can fine-tune the laser-material interaction to achieve the desired balance of speed, quality, and minimal heat input.
The choice of nozzle and focusing optics can also impact cutting performance, particularly when working with the small spot sizes achievable with fiber lasers.
Nozzle diameter, standoff distance, and gas pressure should be optimized for the specific material and thickness being cut. Similarly, the focusing lens focal length and type (e.g., collimating, focusing) should be selected based on the desired spot size and depth of focus.
At Tianchen Laser, our applications engineers work closely with customers to develop cutting parameter databases that are optimized for the unique wavelength characteristics of our fiber lasers. By leveraging the inherent advantages of the 1070nm wavelength and fine-tuning process parameters, we help users achieve the best possible cutting results in terms of speed, quality, and efficiency.
As a leading manufacturer of fiber laser cutting machines, Tianchen Laser is committed to providing our customers with the most advanced technology and expert support to help them succeed in today's competitive manufacturing landscape. Our machines are equipped with high-quality fiber laser sources, precision beam delivery systems, and user-friendly control interfaces that make it easy to optimize cutting performance for a wide range of applications.
But our commitment to our customers goes beyond just providing top-of-the-line equipment. Our global network of service and support professionals is available 24/7 to provide training, technical assistance, and maintenance to keep your machines running at peak performance. We also offer a range of value-added services, such as application consulting, sample testing, and parameter development, to help you get the most out of your investment.
If you're looking to take your metal cutting capabilities to the next level, we invite you to experience the Tianchen Laser difference. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with one of our expert applications engineers and learn how our fiber laser cutting machines can help you achieve your production goals. With Tianchen Laser, you'll have a partner committed to your success every step of the way.
