Selecting a Laser Cutting Machine |
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Current and potential users of laser cutting technologies have been inundated with opinions from laser machine builders and others about which is the "single best technology" to buy. As in most debates, the answer is "it depends." Both flying optics and hybrid machines have been around for decades. And for good reason: they both have their place within the variety of applications encountered when laser processing metal parts. All laser cutting machine tools consist of a laser engine outputting concentrated light at a given level of power-generally in the range of 1000W to 4000W, or higher. To deliver the laser beam to the cutting |
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torch, the machines use a series of reflective mirrors. The beam is then further concentrated by a lens with a specific focal length for the application at hand, and combined with a nozzle for delivering assist gases at the point of cut. Characteristics of Flying Optics Configurations By design, flying optics machines require approximately twice the number of mirrors in the laser beam delivery system. This adds complexity to the machine in terms of initial setup and in regular maintenance and alignment. Further, the mirrors have a finite life, making replacement cycles more costly. Mirror alignment is more critical with flying optics for consistent high-quality cutting, since even a laser beam, which we tend to think of as a straight line, grows over its length through a phenomenon called "beam divergence." The machine should be capable of consistent cutting from the point nearest the laser source to the farthest point found in the work area, and this is controlled by mirror setup. Performance characteristics are also affected by the number of mirrors required in the machine. Even the highest quality mirrors used in laser machine tools are only 98% efficient. Therefore, in a 12-mirror flying optics machine, approximately 76% of the laser power actually reaches the material to be cut. The comparable value in a six-mirror hybrid machine would be around 88%. This is a contributing factor for ever-more-powerful (and expensive) laser engines being developed and applied to metal cutting. Characteristics of Hybrid Laser Machines Generalizations are dangerous, but flying optics machines lend themselves better to cutting thinner materials at high speeds. On the other hand, hybrids lend themselves to cutting thicker materials because of efficiency of beam delivery and the relatively slower cutting speeds used for thicker stock. Unless you are a high-production, dedicated shop, the reality is that most customers' applications fall across the middle of the range and they also must deal with multiple materials. The decision of hybrid designs versus flying optics is, therefore, only a part of the equation. To obtain the optimum performance and throughput from an investment in laser technology, factors like material mix, thickness range, lot size, appropriate levels of automation, and minimizing setup time remain important. All of these factors should be evaluated by qualified application engineers, such as the engineering staff at Mazak Optonics, to maximize return on investment in laser technology. Authored By Mazak Optonics 2D Product Manager Lou Derango. For more information contact: Mazak Optonics Corp. 140 East State Parkway Schaumburg, IL 60173 847-252-4500 Fax: 847-252-4599
Southwest TX, OK, AR, LA Capital Machine 911 US Hwy 301 South Tampa, FL 33619 813-621-9751 Fax: 813-626-0812
NM Magnum Precision Machine 8448 Washington Place Albuquerque, NM 87113 505-345-8389 Fax: 505-344-7167 www.magnumprecisionmachines.com
Southeast AL, FL, GA, MS, TN Capital Machine 911 US Hwy 301 South Tampa, FL 33619 813-621-9751 Fax: 813-626-0812
NC, SC, VA Fabricating Machinery Sales Inc PO Box 12191 Greenville, SC 29612 864-297-4714 Fax: 864-297-0370
Northeast CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT New England Precision Equipment Sales 67-19 N Quinsigamond Ave Shrewsbury, MA 01545 508-798-6542 Fax: 508-798-6602
NY AW Miller 7661 Seneca Street P.O. Box 69 East Aurora, NY 14052 716-652-8282 Fax: 716-655-4915
PA Demmler Machinery 677 Millers Run Road Cuddy, PA 15031 412-220-3140 Fax: 412-220-3143
Midwest IL, IA, Southern WI MACTECH 634 Pratt Avenue Schaumburg, IL 60193 847-301-9555 Fax: 847-301-9509
MI MICHFAB Machinery 4855 Starr SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546 616-940-1400 Fax: 616-940-3881
NE, ND, SD, MN, WI Gladwin Machinery 5170 Main Street NE Minneapolis, MN 55421 763-574-9000 Fax: 763-574-1422
IN, OH, KY Modern Machinery Company 4622 Independence Square Indianapolis, IN 49546 317-791-8290 Fax: 317-791-8339 www.modernmachinerycompany.com
KS, MO, Southern IL Black Rock Machinery 314-821-5986
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