Metal laser cutting technology is emerging as one of the preferred processing methods in today’s manufacturing industry. However, as the market becomes more competitive and customer demands increase, it is vital to improve laser cutting efficiency. This article looks at how to improve laser cutting efficiency. Whether you are considering investing in laser cutting equipment or are an experienced professional who already owns a cutting machine, this article will provide you with practical advice and tips to help you achieve greater productivity and quality in metal processing.
How Can Laser Cutting Control Systems Improve Cutting Efficiency?
Several features have been developed in the laser cutting software and by integrating these features, it enhance metal laser cutting efficiency on different workpieces and materials.
Automatic Focusing
Laser equipment requires the focus of the laser beam to be focused at different locations on the workpiece cross-section when cutting different materials. The autofocus function ensures that the focus is always optimized when cutting on different material surfaces to obtain the best cut quality.
How to adjust auto focus of fiber Laser cutting machine? By installing a variable curvature reflector before the beam enters the focusing lens, the autofocus is able to change the focus position in real time for optimal cut quality.
Automatic focusing can significantly improve the processing efficiency of the laser cutting machine, thick plate piercing time is greatly reduced. Processing different materials, different thickness of the workpiece, the machine can automatically adjust the focus to the most suitable position quickly.
Leapfrog
The Leapfrog function allows the cutting head to jump quickly over the surface of the workpiece to reduce the travel time of the cutting path, thus increasing the overall cutting speed. This feature drastically reduces the time it takes for the cutting head to rise, pan, and fall, allowing the laser cutting head to move quickly and inevitably make laser cutting more efficient.
Automatic Edge Finding
With the synergy of camera positioning vision systems and cutting software, laser cutting machines are able to automatically track and compensate for sheet metal while ensuring precise and efficient cutting. This functionality is crucial for enhancing laser cutting efficiency, as it can perceive the inclination angle and origin of the workpiece, automatically adjusting the cutting program to find the optimal positioning angle and location, thereby achieving rapid and precise cutting while minimizing material waste.
Pre-piercing
When laser cutting thicker sheets, each contour cutting process involves two stages: piercing and cutting. The pre-piercing feature rapidly penetrates the material with concentrated laser energy before cutting begins, reducing the starting time of cutting and enhancing production efficiency.
Bridging
The bridging feature maintains the integrity of the workpiece structure during cutting by leaving connections between cutting paths to prevent deformation or collapse of the workpiece. Bridging connects parts to the surrounding material, and mature programming software can automatically add an appropriate number of bridges based on the length of the contour. It can also differentiate between internal and external contours to determine whether bridges are needed.
Common Edge Cutting
Common edge cutting is an optimization method for cutting paths, simultaneously cutting adjacent edges of workpieces to reduce cutting time and increase production efficiency. Common edge cutting relies on intelligent automatic programming software.
How to Improve the Cutting Speed of Laser Cutting Machine?
a. Plan the optimal cutting path
Reasonably planning cutting paths can reduce the laser head’s idle movement during cutting, saving time and improving efficiency. Using shortest path or optimized path planning algorithms can minimize unnecessary stops and movements.
b. Adjusting to the optimal cutting parameters
The setup of cutting parameters during laser cutting is one of the factors affecting cutting efficiency. Incorrect parameter settings may affect cutting quality, accuracy, and cutting rate. To achieve the best cutting efficiency, it’s essential to perform cutting tests with the same material in advance, repeatedly fine-tuning to find the optimal cutting settings.
c. Setting acceleration
Acceleration refers to the time it takes for the machine to reach normal cutting speed from its initial speed. When cutting different patterns, the machine undergoes a process of constant starting, stopping, and stopping again. If the acceleration setting is too low, the machine’s cutting speed will be reduced.
d. Appropriate cutting power and material thickness
Different materials require different power and speed settings. Laser cutting is suitable for thin sheets, with noticeable cutting effects in carbon steel below 12mm and stainless steel below 6mm, ensuring both quality and efficiency. For instance, when the material thickness is <1mm, the material cut is extremely smooth.
e. Replacing optical lenses
Laser primarily emits from the laser source, then passes through the cutting head for focusing to achieve cutting effects. After prolonged use, dust can contaminate the optical lenses, significantly reducing the laser’s transmittance and cutting efficiency.
f. Regular maintenance of components
Fiber laser cutting machines require maintenance after periods of use. Due to the numerous components and many wearing parts, timely replacement and maintenance can significantly improve cutting efficiency and effectively reduce equipment failure rates.
How Does a Laser Cutter Cut Pipes Efficiently?
Traditional pipe cutting processes are complex, relying on manual labor, with low processing efficiency and automation. Time and effort are consumed in manual layout, cutting, punching, and other processes. The fiber pipe laser cutting system uses advanced laser technology to complete the metal pipes cutting task with extremely high precision and efficiency. Fiber laser cutting machines for pipes can cut commonly used steel structure pipe types such as I-beams, H-beams, channel steel, angle iron, round pipes, rectangular pipes, and square pipes.
CNC System
Automated Cutting System with No Need for Drawing Conversion
Automatic Part Marking and Classification, Generating Material List
Reduces Manual Unpacking Time, Enhancing Production Efficiency
Pipe Cutting Intelligent System, One-Click Nesting
Efficient Nesting with a Single Click, Intelligent Layout and Cutting
3D Pipe Nesting Software, Cutting Process Database, Automatically Generated Report Records
Easy Operation, Convenient and Efficient, Enhances Quality and Efficiency
Various Pipe Cutting Needs
Multiple Pipe Types Including Round Pipes, Square Pipes, I-Beams, H-Beams, etc.
Cutting Off, Multi-Angle Bevel Cutting, Piercing, Intersecting Holes
Integrated Compatible Cutting Significantly Improves Efficiency and Shortens Lead Time
Automatic Feeding, One-Stop Workflow
Can Be Equipped with Automatic Feeding Device to Reduce Labor Intensity
Easy Loading, Batch Processing in One Step
Safe and Convenient, Effectively Saves Labor Costs
Precision Cutting, One-Time Shaping
With Precision Calibration and Compensation Functions
Ensures Accuracy of Dynamic Cutting Dimensions, Enhances Cutting Precision
alt: metal pipe laser cutting machine If you’re seeking a manufacturing partner to help maximize your business efficiency and profitability, we can help you optimize efficiency of laser cutting machine. Our experienced professionals are ready to go above and beyond to assist you. Our laser cutting machines offer cutting-edge solutions for both large and small manufacturing operations. They are customized in various sizes and types to suit different manufacturing needs. This means that whatever your cutting requirements are, DP laser cutting machines are your best choice. Just let us know your manufacturing processes and needs, and we can provide you with free samples.
