10 Key Considerations When Choosing a Sheet Metal Laser Cutting ...

Choosing a proper sheet metal laser cutting machine is crucial for customers to ensure cutting precision, efficiency and cost-effectiveness during metalworking. With numerous options available in the market, it’s essential to know what to look for. Here are 10 key considerations to keep in mind when you selecting a sheet metal laser cutting machine.

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1. Laser Power
The power of laser is one of the most paramount factors to consider. Laser power, measured in watts, determines the thickness of materials that can be cut and the speed at which cutting can be performed. Generally speaking, the higher power can cut through thicker materials more quickly but tend to be more expensive. For instance, a 1kW laser might be suitable for cutting thin sheets, while 6kW would be necessary for the thicker materials.

2. Cutting Speed
Cutting speed has a direct impact on your productivity. A faster cutting speed means more parts can be produced in a given time. However, the optimal speed depends on the type of materials being cut and thickness. Manufacturers often provide cutting speed charts that can help you choose the right machine based on your specific needs. Here is our comparison chart for your reference.

Comparison Table of Different Laser Powers Between Sheet Thickness and Cutting Speed in SENFENG

Laser power Max thickness of sheet Max cutting speed 1.5kW 12mm 23-30m/min (1mm thick sheet) 3kW 16mm 30-45m/min (1mm thick sheet) 6kW 20mm 45-55m/min (1mm thick sheet) 12kW 40mm 15-18m/min (6mm thick sheet) 20kW 60mm 23-25m/min (6mm thick sheet) 30kW 80mm 23-30m/min (6mm thick sheet) 60kW 100mm 26-30m/min (8mm thick sheet)

3. Cutting Precision and Accuracy
Precision and accuracy are also of great concern, especially for industries requiring intricate designs and tight tolerances. The quality of laser beam and the stability of the machine affect the precision of cuts. Look for machines with high positioning & repositioning accuracy, typically in the range of ±0.03mm. In SENFENG, our machines are usually at the repositioning accuracy of ±0.02mm.

4.Type of Laser Generator

There are several types of laser generator, including CO2, optical fiber and diode lasers. Each has its own advantages and applications:

CO2 Lasers: Good for cutting non-metal materials and thicker metals.

Optical Fiber Lasers: More energy-efficient, faster and ideal for cutting thin, medium and thick metals.

Diode Lasers: Often used for engraving and marking rather than cutting.

Remember to choose the laser generator that best fits your materials and work requirements, instead of pursuing for the more and more high power.

5. Automation and Software Integration
In general, modern laser cutting machines come standard with various levels of automation and software integration. Automation can significantly increase productivity by reducing manual handling and setup time. Look for features such as automated loading and unloading, material handling system and advanced nesting software that maximizes material usage and minimizes waste.

6. Cost of Ownership
The initial purchase price is just one part of the overall costs. Need to consider the total cost of ownership, including maintenance, consumables, power consumption and potential downtime. Fiber laser generator, for example, tends to have lower operating costs compared to CO2 laser generator due to its higher energy efficiency and lower maintenance requirements.

7. Material Compatibility
Ensure the machine is compatible with the types of materials you intend to cut. Different laser generators interact differently with various materials. For instance, fiber laser generator is excellent for cutting metals like steel, aluminum and copper, while CO2 is better for cutting non-metals such as wood, acrylic and plastics.

8. Support and Service
As everyone knows, reliable technical support and intimate service are crucial for minimizing downtime and ensuring smooth operation. Choose a manufacturer or supplier known for excellent customer service, comprehensive training and prompt technical support. Check for available warranties and the ease of getting replacement parts.

9. Space and Requirements for Installation
Take into account of the space available in your facility for the new machine. Laser cutting machines vary in size, and you need to ensure there is enough room for early installation, operation and later maintenance. Some machines require special installation conditions, such as proper ventilation and stable foundations.

10. Environmental and Safety Factors
Laser cutting machines should comply with environmental regulations and safety standards. Give priority to machines equipped with proper exhaust system to handle fumes and dust, and ensure that safety features such as protective enclosures and interlocks are in place. This is particularly important if you are cutting materials that produce hazardous fumes.

Tube cutting spans production over numerous industries from automotive to medical. Achieving quality production and speed with a tube laser cutting machine.

The introduction of lasers to the manufacturing industry have made complex cuts easier. Make sure your manufacturer is utilizing an Automatic Load Tube Laser Cutting Machine–T-A Series.

Figure out if these variables are convincing enough to start production with a tube laser cutting machine.

1. PRODUCT DESIGN

Don’t sacrifice weight for strength. A T-A Series machine can make strong visually appealing products. Some features include allowing tube profiles to be bent to simply the assembly process.

By simplifying assembly or welding, tube laser cutting machines can reduce production costs by up to 30%.

Lasers allow operators to make cuts and edges in one smooth step without the need to continuously handling parts. Saws and drills require lots of material handling in contrast to lasers.

Reducing costs is a great incentive for any company.

2. CAPACITY

Standard sizes for tubes range anywhere from 20 to 40 feet and sometimes longer. The capacity of a tube laser cutting machine will be measured by the maximum weight per foot.

Some manufacturers will order custom tubes to ensure there is the least amount of excess during production. Avoid scrap by having tubes designed specifically for the materials you are using.

Average sized tubes are generally 24 ft. long for 6-inch diameters or 30 ft. long for 10-inch diameters. The T-A Series can do bigger sizes.

Link to HANMA LASER

3. LOAD AND UNLOAD

The T-A Series tube laser cutter is able to load bundles of pipes on the feeding device to be sorted, loaded, and connected. You only want one pipe at a time being loaded for the delivery arm and pipe cutter.

You can switch tube sizes with an automatic switch controlled by an operator. This keeps you from having to constantly stop production for new tube sizes. There are some jobs that require manual stops to complete the task.

The unloading process is completely automatic to reduce processing and feeding times. It will automatically sort scrap to save you time and labor.

4. SHAPE AND SEAM DETECTION

Most products are made by welded tubes during manufacturing. As opposed to seamless tubes, welded tubes can cause problems during production and possible assembly.

Most laser cutting machines have software to help detect exterior seams, but sometimes the software can miss interior seams due to the finish on the material.

The best machines will use a sensing system equipped with two cameras and light sources to look inside and outside the tube.

If a seam is detected by the software, the machine will rotate the tube to mitigate any potential problems.

Most shapes and designs can be cut with tube laser machines, but any irregular profiles might be difficult to load properly. An additional camera and light can detect if a tube will need the chuck to be adjusted.

You shouldn’t have to worry if your production will be hindered by asymmetrical profiles.

5. INTELLIGENT FUNCTIONS OF A TUBE LASER CUTTING MACHINE

The Automatic Load Tube Laser Cutting Machine–T-A Series is an intelligent piece of heavy machinery. Check out some of these smart features:

• Auxillary loading and unloading – A subsidiary roller table makes loading and unloading more convenient by reducing the friction between the working table and parts.
• Intelligent Assistance – Use Wi-Fi to remotely gather analysis and results. You can also troubleshoot from your office.
• Lubrication – The lubrication system is automatic to ensure a long-lasting machine. There are built-in alarms to signify problems or low levels of oil. Program the timing of the oil dispensary to make production efficient.
• Alarm system – If there are any abnormalities or issues, an alarm will show on the interface. Address problems early to improve the troubleshooting process.

Other intelligent functions include a low-pressure alarm for auxiliary gas. Real-time stats give the warning for replacement.

Some of the safety features have revolutionized the manufacturing industry. Collisions are greatly reduced by having the laser head spaced from the material. The machine will stop cutting if a collision with the plate happens.

The T-A Series also has intelligent travel protection. It will monitor the operation range of the crossbeam and parts. Operators will be safe with extra protection.

6. CUTTING ADVANTAGES

Using the laser is high precision and ensures quality cuts. Other methods like punching or wire cutting may have low production speed or unable to make some cuts or perforations.

Since cost is important, mechanical cutting is more expensive to buy and run.

More intricate punch die sets can cost even more. Lasers provide flexibility and ease at a cheaper cost to the manufacturer and client.

Operators with backgrounds in plasma or mechanical cutting should have no problem translating their skills to the T-A Series cutter.

7. FIBER LASERS

Since , fiber lasers have steadily grown in production and acquisition. Traditional CO2 lasers are still a popular choice, but technology has allowed the fiber lasers to catch up in its ability to cut thick materials.

The gas laser struggles to cut through certain metals like brass and copper. Fiber lasers can easily cut through these metals and other reflective materials.

Some cuts and materials still require a CO2 laser, and operators may only be trained to work with the traditional machine.

Optical fibers allow the working position in fiber lasers to be flexible and light-weight. The need for maintenance is reduced and the efficiency is higher.

More savings take place because fiber lasers do not require expensive reflection lenses. Fiber laser cuts quicker and more consistently.

A place for CO2 lasers currently exists in the industry. Technological advancements allow the fiber laser to quickly close the gap. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of each with respect to the job you need.

UTILIZING LASER CUTTING

It’s no secret a tube laser cutting machine holds features that make production and assembly easier and more affordable.

Would your products and process benefit from using a manufacturer that employed the Automatic Load Tube Laser Cutting Machine–T-A Series?

If you answered “yes”, contact us today so we can get your business on the right track.

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Contact us to discuss your requirements of tube cutting machine. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.