Every metal fabricator typically has his own opinion as to what is the most important element when cutting with lasers. If you thought that the most important element is in maintaining the smallest spot size as well as a lens orientation perpendicular to the axis in the laser beam then you are partially correct in saying so. However, you need to consider other factors when it comes to laser cutting in Toronto, especially with respect to the laser beam properties and the special cutting applications used. Maintaining focus positions in the material is very important to the repeatability of the laser-cut parameters and in producing consistent edge quality.
Focus the laser beam
When you deal with incredibly thick materials, it is very important to create a larger burn pattern in order to create a wider channel which in turn is needed in order to support a larger volume of molten material that has to be expelled in the process of cutting the material. In order to create an enlarged burn pattern, you focus the beam either below or above the surface of the material. Consequently, when you focus on a small spot on the surface, this will be an approach that cannot draw in success for thick materials.
For materials which are thinner, small spot focused on the surface of the material is more effective compared to the larger one since less material is involved; hence, a broader channel is not really required.
An important factor to consider with making use of laser cutting in Toronto is the use of an assist gas like nitrogen, compressed air or oxygen. Every gas has specific properties that are related to accelerating the burning process and in evacuating the molten material. When it comes to laser cutting in Toronto, assist gases usually support two specific reactions: endothermic or exothermic.
Exothermic Reactions
How are exothermic reactions created? They are created with the use of a gas which offers accelerant properties like oxygen. In this type of reaction, the intense energy of the beam vaporizes and then cuts the material as the oxygen will react with the molten material in its liquid state. During oxygen assisted cutting along with high pressure, the base material is being brought too much intense high temperature in that conversion of the material to thermal vapor is almost entirely complete. When the focus is above of the material, you will typically be using a low pressure and low volume in order to help liquefy and then rid of the molten material.
Endothermic reactions
The endothermic reactions are created when you use a gas that has nonreactive or inert properties. Argon and nitrogen fall into this certain category. In this type of reaction, the gas will support the evacuation of the molten material on a cut channel. The endothermic process will be dependent on the raw energy of the focused laser beam. This will allow the inert gas in order to expel the liquefied material on the cut channel. When you focus in supporting endothermic reactions will require focus positions. Maintaining the focus below the material will create a V shape with the cut channel.