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Aluminium laser cutters work well when cutting, engraving, and marking. Thus, a laser-aluminium cutter comes in different types to be effective for these processes.
CO2 Laser Cutter
These cutters use carbon dioxide gas to cut or engrave soft materials. However, with a good lens, CO2 lasers can cut thin aluminium sheets, especially with assistance from reflective surface materials.
Fiber laser cutter
This cutter is a newer type of laser-cutting technology. It generates the laser light with a fiber optic cable made from special glass. It is better at cutting metals than other types of lasers. The laser light is highly concentrated and skilled at cutting through Aluminum’s challenging reflective surface. The focused beam can cut thick or thin sheets of aluminum with precision.
Nd:YAG Laser Cutter
These cutters are efficient at cutting materials that are difficult to cut, such as aluminium. The laser is made by a crystal that is pumped with a lamp. It is suitable for dot laser engraving; it does not work for cutting.
Hybrid Laser Cutter
These cutters combine fibre and co2 technologies to offer better versatility. They efficiently cut hard metals like aluminium as well as softer materials.
Fiber Laser CNC Cutter
This is a computer numerical cutter that utilises fine laser to produce intricate designs on material. It applies to aluminium sheets and other tough metals. Fiber CNC laser cutters are instrumental in mass production while ensuring that there is an absolute accuracy and uniformity in the cuts.
Different aluminium laser cutting machines come with different customization options. The following are some of these options.
Bed size and design
CNC aluminium laser cutters feature different beds. There are smaller beds that are suitable for minor projects. There are also large beds suitable for major operations. The bed can also be honeycombed or glass based. Honeycombed bases hold materials better, while glass bases give smoother cutting.
Laser power
Laser power varies. It is adjustable inched power from 60 W for cutting thin sheets aluminium to 3000 W for heavy duty cutting. Additional power increases cutting speed and ability to work on thicker grades of aluminium. Users should adjust the power according to the nature of work.
Laser focus
Fine lasers cut better. Coarse lasers cut quicker. Most CNC aluminium laser cutters allow operators to adjust the focus to small or large diameters. This helps achieve optimum precision for graphics work on thin sheets or high-speed cuts on thicker sheets.
Speed settings
These machines have different speed settings. Cut speed refers to how fast the cutter moves while making a cut. High-speed cuts are suitable for simple cut patterns. They minimize any heat damage to the material. For complex designs, slower speeds give better accuracy.
Cooling system
The cooling system also differs. This is the main method of keeping cutters cool during their long usage. The most common types are aircooled and watercooled systems. Water-cooled systems are efficient at drawing heat from the laser. Aircooling systems are easy and cheap to maintain.
Laser aluminium cutters have many uses.
Manufacturing
These cutters are widely used in the manufacturing sector to give precise cuts and engravings on aluminium. They are also used when creating complex shapes. It maintains the strength and lightness of the aluminium. They also befits large scale production.
Aerospace industry
In this industry, they use laser cutters to create lightweight and strong components. These parts include brackets, panels, and frames. They required high degree precision and quality. These lasers provide very clean and accurate cuts.
Automotive industry
Aluminium laser cutter are valuable in this industry. Aluminium is commonly used in cars to reduce weight. Laser cutters are used here to cut parts like doors, hoods, and wheels. They also work on complex designs and ensure smooth edges.
Electronics industry
These cutters are also used in creating housings, frames, and heat sinks in this industry. Precision is necessary for fitting parts in electronic devices. These laser cutters ensure that.
Interior design
These cutters are used in creating decorative panels, furniture handles, and lighting fixtures in this design. They allow intricate designs to be cut from aluminium sheets. The sheets create modern and appealing interiors.
Signage and marketing
In signage, they cut custom signs, plaques, and promotional displays. The signs are durable and weather resistant. They are also lightweight and therefore good for outdoor advertising. The laser cut designs also look more professional as compared to other methods.
These cutters are robust and, with the right care, can last for a long time.
Durability
These cutters are some of the strongest cutting machines available. They are designed to cut other strong materials like steel and brass. Due to this, they are able to cut aluminium well.
Moreover, because of the powerful laser that it uses, it cuts as quickly through thick sheet metal as saws cut through thin wood. It can cut from 0.5 to 35 millimeters of aluminium. It is efficient at cutting large amounts of aluminium in a short time. It manages up to 1000 millimeters in a minute.
Maintenance tips
Taking care of the cutter, Coolant should always circulate through fibre laser cutters to keep them durable. When there is no fibre laser coolant, the laser will overheat and damage the machine. In CO2 cutters, mirrors and lenses should be cleaned to avoid obstruction of the laser.
Also, after using it, the bed should be wiped with a cloth. This is to ensure there is no aluminium residue on it. If not wiped, the residue will harden and become difficult to remove later. The cutter should also be generally inspected regularly. Any damaged part should be replaced immediately. This ensures the cutter continues to operate effectively.
Yes. A laser cutter is ideal for engraving and cutting aluminium. However, they need to have sufficient power to enable them cut through the material effectively. One should use a fibre laser cutter for the best results.
Laser cutters can cut aluminium sheets that are 1 inch thick, which is approximately 25.4 millimeters. Nevertheless, the optimal cutting thickness for aluminium sheets is usually below 10 millimeters. Any thickness above this reduces the quality of the cut.
The best laser cutter for aluminium is a fibre laser cutting machine. It uses a fine-focused beam that cuts through the reflective surface of the aluminium effortlessly. The laser machine's power should be at least 500 watts for better cutting results.
The hardest metals to laser cut are metals with high reflectivity and thermal conductivity. These metals include tungsten, copper, and chromium. Other metals like titanium and nickel alloys also pose laser cutting challenges due to their strength.
When working on metal the laser cutter first focuses the laser beam on the metal surface. The concentrated heat cut through the material. The cutting process is assisted by a jet of oxygen or nitrogen. These two act as a kerf. They also help melt and blow away any molten metal.