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Metal Laser Cutting Machine

What is Metal Laser Cutting Machine

Metal laser cutting is a process that vaporizes materials using a laser, which creates a cut edge. This process is accomplished by directing the output of a high-power laser. Generally, laser optics and CNC (computer numerical control) guide the laser beam to the material. A laser uses a motion control system to follow a CNC or G-code of the pattern to be cut onto the material. The focused laser is then guided to the material, and the material melts, burns, vaporizes, or is driven away by a gas jet. This leaves an edge with a high-quality surface finish.

Metals are often denser than nonmetals, necessitating a higher-powered laser to vaporize the material off the surface. Laser cutting is a prevalent manufacturing technology in energy storage, computer electronics, robotics, and aerospace. Common parts created by laser cutting comprise flat patterns, face plates, washers, mounting plates, and panels. Although this technology is typically used for industrial manufacturing applications, it is now used by schools, small businesses, architecture, and hobbyists.

Fiber Metal Laser Cutting Machine

Fiber metal laser cutting machine Cutting sample display: carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum

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1812 Laser Engraving Machine

1812 laser engraving machine-Automatic sensing for precise cuttingAutomatic sensors sense the metal

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Why choose us

Our Factory

Liaocheng Tianxiang CNC Equipment Co., Ltd. has been producing carving machines for over a decade. We have a skilled design and technical team, our own production facility, and offer customization for various machines, including specialized fixtures. Our experience and technology are well-developed and advanced.

Our Product

We are a high-tech enterprise specializing in the research, production, and sales of a wide range of carving machines. Our products include woodworking carving machines, advertising carving machines, stone carving machines, Buddha carving machines, metal mold machines, jade carving machines, laser carving machines, relief machines, cylindrical carving machines, polystyrene carving machines, and woodworking CNC machining centers.

Product Application

Our machines are used across various industries. These include advertising, woodworking, stone, metal, craft gifts, furniture manufacturing, mold and model making, as well as electronic and electrical industries.

Production Market

Our products are exported to over 40 countries and regions, including South Korea, Russia, the United States, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Canada, Iraq, Indonesia, Italy, and Hong Kong.

Advantages of Metal Laser Cutting Machine

High Quality And Low Labor Cost

Characterized by its non-contact processing, laser technology does not damage the work-piece with the products free of extrusion deformation and in good quality. And the processed products do not need to be polished manually, eliminating unnecessary processing procedures and optimizing the labor intensity of workers.

Reduced Mold Investment And Production Cost

By directly processing various work-pieces without mold, the laser cutting machine can help to avoid mold consumption and the costs of repairing and changing molds. In this way, a large number of molds and their production costs can be saved, which is especially suitable for processing large products.

High Precision And High Efficiency

Due to its precision, flexibility and efficiency, laser cutter is capable of processing various complicated work-pieces. With the finished cutting graphics being imported into the control system, the worker can set the size for cutting, which directly shortens the product processing and manufacturing cycle and effectively improves labor productivity.

Fast Speed And Optimized Working Environment

With fast working speed, stable working situation, low noise and no dust, laser cutting machine will not produce chemical substances harmful to the human body and the environment. It also protects workers from health threats and production sites from pollution, reducing investment and pollution and helping the optimization of the working environment complying with the trend of environmental protection.

Low Maintenance Cost And High Cost Performance

The maintenance of mechanical products is very expensive, while the laser cutting machine has stable performance which is durable and can work continuously.

The Sheet Metal Laser Cutting Process

Laser cutting metal involves using laser beams to melt metals and alloys, thereby causing smooth, sharp cuts. The laser cutting process consists of two operations working in synchrony.

Laser Beam Fusion Cutting

The laser beam fusion cutting process uses an inert gas, mostly nitrogen. The low-reaction process gas continuously vaporizes the cutting gap of the material. As the molten material gets removed, inert gas prevents oxidation at the cutting edge without interfering with the process.

Laser Beam Sublimation Cutting

As the name suggests, laser beam sublimation cutting evaporates the material. Instead of melting the material like other laser cutting processes, they are immediately changed from solid to gas – sublimation.

Laser Beam Flame Cutting

Laser beam flame cutting uses a combustible gas – Oxygen to thrust out the molten material. The laser heats the workpiece creating spontaneous combustion after melting the material. The oxygen gas provides more energy for the cutting process through oxidation – An exothermic reaction.

Common Projects You Can Create with a Metal Laser Cutting Machine for Home

By utilizing a laser cutter and engraver, you can create beautiful and functional items that enhance the look and feel of any home. You can also customize your products with different designs, colors, and personalization options to suit your customers’ preferences and needs.

Custom Family Name Sign
This customizable laser-cut wooden sign project is a top seller on Etsy, making it a profitable and popular home decor item to add to your product lineup. The large cut-out letters, made from high-quality birch plywood or MDF, are a trendy addition to any living space.

With easy customization options, you can offer your customers the ability to personalize the sign with their family name or other text, making it a hot-selling item for housewarming or wedding gifts.

3D Wooden World Map Art
This wooden world map wall art is a stunning project that will impress your customers and boost your sales. Made from high-quality plywood and laser cut and engraved for precision and detail, it comes with push pins that allow customers to mark their travels and plan their next journeys.

This wooden world map wall art is versatile and can fit into any interior style, from rustic to modern. It is a great gift idea for travelers, adventurers, or anyone who loves to explore the world. You can offer your customers different types and sizes of maps, as well as add-ons such as country names, flags, or LED lights.

Decorative Acrylic Wall Clock
This laser-cut cat silhouette wall clock is a cute and colorful product that will make your customers smile. Made from two layers of acrylic (black matte and yellow gloss), it creates a strong contrast that is easy to fit on any wall. It features a silent quartz movement that does not tick, making it ideal for bedrooms or offices.

This laser-cutting project is a fun and unique product that can appeal to cat lovers, kids, or anyone who likes simple designs. You can offer your customers different colors and sizes of clocks, as well as various shapes of silhouettes.

Wall-Mounted Key Holder
This laser-cut key and leash holder is a simple yet practical project. With your creativity and the possibilities of laser cutting, you can create endless designs and styles to meet the preferences of different customers.

The practical design is perfect for keeping keys and leashes organized and easily accessible. This product is not only a great item to sell in your online store but can also be offered as a custom-made product to your local customers.

Wooden Animal Planter
If you are looking for a fun and unique home decor item to add to your product lineup, consider this laser-cut corgi planter stand project.

Made from high-quality plywood, it features a cute corgi shape that you can customize with your choice of color and name, making it a perfect gift idea for any dog lover or plant enthusiast. The laser-cut design ensures a crisp and detailed finish that will impress your customers. With high customer reviews and ratings on Etsy, this laser-cut home decor item can boost your sales significantly.

Laser Cutting Speed and Laser Power of a Fiber Laser Metal Cutter

Laser power significantly influences cutting thickness, cutting speed, cutting width, and cutting quality. Generally, higher laser power results in greater cutting depth and increased cutting speed.
For different materials and thicknesses, there is an optimal setting for cutting speed and laser power. At these settings, the roughness of the cut surface is minimized. Deviating from these optimal settings can increase surface roughness and reduce cutting efficiency, leading to higher costs. If the settings are far from optimal, both excessive and insufficient power can cause fire or slag formation.
When the laser power and the pressure of the auxiliary gases are kept constant, there is a non-linear inverse relationship between cutting speed and gap width:
●As cutting speed increases, gap width decreases.
●As cutting speed decreases, gap width increases.
The cutting speed has a parabolic relationship with the surface roughness of the cut. As the cutting speed increases from zero, the surface roughness of the cut gradually decreases. Once the optimum cutting speed is reached, the surface roughness is minimized. However, if the cutting speed continues to increase beyond this point, the surface roughness will worsen until there is not enough power to cut completely through the material.

The principle of metal laser cutting

Metal laser cutting uses a laser tube to emit light, and then uses a reflector and focusing mirror to reflect and focus the light onto the laser head. The focused strong light illuminates the material that needs to be cut or carved, causing it to quickly melt due to high temperature, achieving the purpose of cutting or carving. During the cutting process, auxiliary gases suitable for the material being cut are also added. When cutting steel, oxygen must be used as an auxiliary gas to undergo an exothermic chemical reaction with the molten metal, which oxidizes the material and helps blow away the slag inclusions in the cutting seam. The auxiliary gas entering the nozzle can also cool the focusing lens, preventing smoke and dust from entering the lens holder and contaminating the lens, causing it to overheat.

Types Of Metal Laser Cutting Machine

Sheet Metal Fiber Laser Cutting Machine
Single plate metal laser cutter for versatile and productive 2D flatebed laser cutting, with undisputed superior quality results.

Tube Metal Laser Cutting Machine
Equipped with intelligent CNC chuck, precise control of speed and clamping force. Industry new patent, representing the new height of pipe cutting technology in the industry.

Tube&Sheet Metal Fiber Laser Cutting Machine
One machine, two purposes, save space, save cost Preferred equipment for comprehensive processing metal manufacturers.

Dual Pallets Fiber Laser Cutting Machine
Cutting, loading and unloading can be carried out simultaneously, greatly reduce processing time, improve metal processing efficiency.

Full Cover Fiber Laser Cutting Machine

Environment protection, safety and noise-proof. Favored by modern metal fabricators.

Economical Fiber Laser Cutting Machine

An economic option to the advertising market for its efficiency and stability at an affordable cost.

Mini Fiber Laser Cutting Machine

The Smallest and cheapest laser cutter for metal, best choice for diy metal design lovers.

How to Successfully Maintain Your Metal Laser Cutter

It’s not difficult to take care of your metal laser cutter. Maintenance and quality parts will help ensure its longevity.

Pure air sources.
Your metal laser cutter uses assist gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, or compressed air. If using shop air as the assist gas, it must be pure with zero moisture. Clean lines are also important. Check your air pressure and filters on a regular basis. Otherwise, this may alter your machine’s performance, productivity, and working life.

Chiller performance review.
Remember to check your metal laser cutter’s chiller temperature. Changes in the temperature of your machine while in use can cause issues. Clean the condenser coils and filters often. The chiller may need additives and chemicals.

Correct gas delivery.
If you are using CO2 machines, apply soapy water to the resonator gas bottles when they are changed. This will alert you to a leak before it becomes problematic.

Check your optics.
After servicing your metal laser cutter’s optics, remember to return them to OEM specifications. Otherwise, it may alter beam quality, cutting performance, and optic lifespan.

A clean machine.
Look after every part of your metal laser cutter so it stays productive and consistent. This includes cleaning its processing areas, drawers, slats, and pallet ways. Remove all dust, dirt, and grease.

Our Factory

Our company is a high-tech enterprise dedicated to the development, production, and sales of optical and electrical products such as CNC engraving machines, CNC plasma cutting machines, laser engraving machines, laser marking machines, computer engraving machines, and laser welding machines. We are committed to providing customers with high-quality products and services. Since its establishment, the company has always been guided by market demand, driven by technological innovation, and aimed at customer satisfaction, winning widespread market recognition and customer trust.

FAQ

Q: How often should a laser cutter be serviced?

A: How often this is carried out depends on the materials that are being cut and the amount of use your laser cutter gets. A general rule though would be to clean the optics and rails every 4 to 6 weeks if cutting mainly plastics and every 2 to 3 weeks if cutting mainly woods like MDF and Plywood.

Q: What not to do with a laser cutter?

A: To recap, these are the materials that you should never even think about cutting with your laser cutter: PVC, vinyl, and artificial leathers – they release chlorine gas, which can absolutely ruin your laser cutter's optics, metal parts and control system, not to mention that it is pretty nasty for humans too.

Q: How long do laser cutting machines last?

A: Apart from that, most of the laser in the market have a life around 30,000 hours, which is a lay man's language is 15 years of proper usage. Further, one can expect a good 100,000 hours life of fiber lasers, which roughly translates to 45 years of machine use.

Q: What is the life of a laser cutting machine?

A: Under normal circumstances, the average life of a fiber laser marking machine can reach 10,000 to 30,000 hours. CO2 laser marking machine: The CO2 laser marking machine uses a CO2 gas laser generator as the laser source and is suitable for marking and engraving non-metallic materials.

Q: What is the main hazard with laser cutters?

A: Laser cutters pose potential hazards from exposure to the laser light, high temperatures that could result in a fire, and toxic air contaminants that may be inhaled. Proper setup, training, operation, and engineering hazard controls must be implemented for safe use of a laser cutter.

Q: What type of laser is used to cut metal?

A: If you're looking to cut through metal, a fiber laser is the way to go. Fiber laser cutters are one of the most efficient ways to rapidly cut through tough materials such as steel, stainless steel, galvanized steel, copper, aluminum, and much more.

Q: How powerful are metal cutting lasers?

A: In order to cut metal effectively, you may need to use an industrial fibre laser of at least 2,000W particularly if your goal is to cut thick metal precisely. Keep in mind that you cannot laser cut thick metals with a power supply of 20W to 50W as it won't be able to generate enough heat.

Q: How thick of metal can a laser cut?

A: The maximum thickness of different materials cut by 2000W metal laser cutting machine: the maximum thickness of carbon steel is 16mm; The maximum thickness of stainless steel is 8mm; The maximum thickness of aluminum plate is 5mm; The maximum thickness of copper plate is 5mm;

Q: What is a metal laser cutter called?

A: YAG lasers are primarily used for cutting and scribing metals and ceramics.

Q: How accurate is laser cutting metal?

A: How Accurate Can You Get with Laser Cutting? Laser cutting accuracy can reach levels as precise as ± 0.0005 inch! Yes, that's less than the width of a human hair. This high level of accuracy makes laser cutting an ideal choice for industries requiring intricate and detailed cuts.

Q: Can I laser cut aluminum?

A: Firstly, laser cutting is definitely the way to go when cutting aluminium. Its high speed combined with the right expertise makes a burr-free cutting process possible, as our partners have proven. It's still important to consider the aluminium grade. Higher grades with more alloying elements are easier to cut.

Q: What is the best steel for laser cutting?

A: Mild steel is a great choice for laser cutting projects. It's a versatile material that can be used in construction, manufacturing and transportation. In the automotive industry, mild steel is used to make parts like axles and frames.

Q: What type of laser is best for cutting through metal?

A: Fiber lasers are used principally for cutting and engraving metallic parts. They offer several advantages over other types of lasers, making them a logical choice in industrial applications.

Q: Which material should you never cut in the laser cutter?

A: To recap, these are the materials that you should never even think about cutting with your laser cutter: PVC, vinyl, and artificial leathers – They release chlorine gas, which can absolutely ruin your laser cutter's optics, metal parts and control system, not to mention that it is pretty nasty for humans too.

Q: What metal is used for laser cutting?

A: The thickness of metal that can be cut with a laser depends on the type of laser and its power. Generally, a laser can cut steel up to 1 inch (25.4mm) thick, stainless steel up to 0.75 inches (19.05mm), and aluminum up to 0.5 inches (12.7mm).

Q: Can sheet metal be laser cut?

A: Laser cutters have excellent compatibility with most materials, especially sheet metal. However, you might consider other cutting techniques when working with thick metals. In most manufacturing industries, laser cutters cut aluminum sheets with a maximum thickness of 15mm and 6mm for steel.

Q: Can you laser cut thick metal?

A: One of the big advantages to laser cutting, is that almost any material can be cut, from thin metals to thick ones, as well as wood and certain types of plastic – Although the latter two use a different process to the ones we'll be discussing here.

Q: Can a laser cutter engrave steel?

A: The laser source is doped with ytterbium (Yb), which allows the laser to generate a wavelength of ≈1,064 nm that reacts well with metals. Ytterbium-doped fiber lasers can engrave all types of metals, including aluminum, steel, stainless steel, anodized aluminum, magnesium, lead, zinc, and copper.

Q: Does laser cutting harden metal?

A: Through this combination of rapid self quenching, grain refinement, inclusion alterations and thermal tensile stresses, laser cutting can boost surface hardness into the 50+ HRC range comparable to conventional steel hardening. However hardness depth remains shallow at under 1mm penetration.

Q: What is better than laser cutting?

A: Therefore, lasers are great for engraving details or cutting out small shapes from the metal, whereas plasma is better for more simple cuts. Plasma cutters can cut through thicker sheets of metal. In general, a plasma cutter can cut through metal up to 1.5 inches thick.

As one of the most professional metal laser cutting machine manufacturers and suppliers in China, we're featured by quality products and good price. Please rest assured to buy high-grade metal laser cutting machine for sale here from our factory.

metal laser cutting machine, 1812 Laser Engraving Machine