Laser Cutting Machine Operating Fundamentals

A laser cutting machine needs several things to help it function effectively in its environment. One of the objects it needs is a computer system to operate. Computer aided design (CAD) software is needed as is vector graphical software. CAD software data will inform the laser what to perform. Proper training is also needed for people who will be operating the laser cutter. Laser cutters additionally need to be properly maintained and have a variety of setups, or configurations that they can have.

Laser Cutter Configuration Options

There are various setups, or configuration choices for lasers. The flying optic setup has an X and Y axis as well as a Z axis. The material being cut will not move. Some flatbed laser cutters allow for the optics to stay static but the material being sliced will move. Another setup is a machine with flying optics and the cutting surface with the material being cut moves as well. This is known as a combination of the previous two setups. The hybrid machine cannot handle high-speed projects but can handle large work envelopes, with some machines performing jobs with an over-100-foot work envelope. There are additionally laser cutting machines that are 5-axis 3D cutters. This is a typical machine employed in cutting sheet metal such as for producing automobile prototypes. Its work envelope can be extremely wide and entail the size of an entire automobile. The fast-growing segment of the industry is in the articulated robots with 6-axis 3D laser machining capabilities. This also is used mainly in the automotive industry. In this configuration, the robot with 6 axes is paired with an yttrium-aluminum garnet (YAG) laser. The beam has delivery of a fiber optic beam. The asset of the delivery of a fiber optic beam is the consistent optical-path length. Two types of fiber optics are used, step-index and gradient-index fibers. Gradient-index tolerates for better beam focus.

Training

Users will need to be trained in various areas such as in basic use of the laser cutter as well as how to input parameters for cutting into the numerical controller. The user should also know how to manipulate programs for CAD and how they interact with the laser cutter. The better a user understands how to manipulate the machine and its components, the more profitable the company will be as the user will manage the workflow moving smoothly and quickly. Other software instruction in quality management software and Material Requirements Planning (MRP) that administers managing workflows is also useful. Quality management software can improve workflow through the use of Corrective Action Requests (CARs) and Corrective Action Notifications (CANs) where the software will handle issues and notify the proper users so the issue can be repaired. Options for training include interactive multimedia training, classroom and lab instruction, and online instruction. Maintenance and operator instruction are often offered to laser cutter customers by the vendor. Safety measures should also be reviewed.

Maintenance

One laser cutter seller suggests a machine wipe-down on a daily basis. The cutting beds and dust collectors can be cleaned out with a shop vacuum and weekly a citrus cleaner should be used to wipe the cabinetry off. Clean the encoder strip only with alcohol. Most parts on a laser cutter will not wear down but cutting grills will wear down and need to be replaced usually every six months. Other parts should only be replaced if needed. Lenses and other optics should be checked regularly and kept clean. By keeping all parts of the laser cutter clean and honed, it will work at its optimum speed.

Marc Anderes is the VP of Operations of Maloya Laser which specializes in Metal Manufacturing and Laser Cutting with advanced laser technologies, servicing machinery, aerospace, medical, scientific and transportation needs.