When manufactures want laser cutting to process their own metal parts or those of their clients, the most important and valuable thing they consider is mostly its ability to achieve fast, stable, and cost-saving cutting, which maximizes profits and wins trusts from customers. However, according to the experiences of Magick Laser service engineers, who help solve technical problems for Magick Laser product users, some cutting quality defects during actual cutting processing often bother them and make their objection not totally achievable. In this article, we gather the experiences of our engineers to conclude 5 common laser metal cutting quality defects and proved solutions, to help get satisfying laser cutting. Read on to learn more.
1. Poor cutting quality at only one side of the edge
Causes: Laser beam is not aligned to lens; Nozzle is blocked or not round; Laser path not clean or not vertical to material
Solutions: Check beam centering, check nozzle, check laser head verticality or lens cleanliness
2. Kerf too wide
Causes: Gas pressure is too high; Focus height is too high; Too much laser power; Poor quality of material
Solutions: Reduce pressure by 0.1bar every time; Lower focus height by 0.2mm every time; Reduce laser power; Clean material surface
3. Burnt corners
Causes: Corner overheat
Solutions: Apply power curve or cooling point
4. Rough section only at the lower side of the edge
Causes: Gas pressure is too high; Focus height is too low
Solutions: Reduce pressure and increase focus height
5. Too rough striations at cutting edge
Causes: Gas pressure is too high; Focus height is too high; Cutting speed is too slow; Lens is dirty or damaged
Solutions: Lower gas pressure; Lower focus height; Increase cutting speed; Check lens