If you need laser cutting done as part of your processing or manufacturing procedures, you should strive to achieve the highest quality cut possible. Therefore, you should be aware of what issues could potentially compromise precision and detract from the quality of your laser cutting. 

The following are seven issues that can detract from the quality of laser cutting.

The cutting speed

Cutting speed can detract from quality by being either too fast or too slow. If the cutting speed is too fast, a variety of inferior quality cut scenarios can occur. For example, partial cuts can occur as a result of a slow cut speed where only certain areas are successfully cut out while other areas are left uncut.

If the cutting speed is too slow, laser cuts can come out irregular and rough. Slow cutting speeds also increase the amount of time cutting takes and thereby reduce efficiency.

The sheet quality

The quality of the sheets being cut impacts the quality of the resulting cut. While laser cutting procedures can be used with both ferrous and non-ferrous metals, it's important to adjust the laser wavelength according to the particular material from which the sheet is composed.

If the laser is not properly set to sheet type and quality, the quality of the cut will suffer.

The laser power

The correct power setting for the laser is important. If the laser power setting is not set high enough, there will probably not be enough pressure available to achieve the ideal melt. If the laser power is too high, excessive melt can be achieved and an excessively wide cut could result.

The nozzle type

There are various nozzle types available for laser cutting including short, single, and double nozzles. These different nozzle types have differently sized apertures.

It's important to select the correct nozzle to prevent the nozzle from making contact with the workpiece during cutting. This could warp the nozzle so that it will no longer be able to achieve a quality cut.

The auxiliary gas

It's important that auxiliary gas is not inappropriately blown out of the nozzle. This can create a situation where the auxiliary gas doesn't come out in uniform amounts. Auxiliary gas exiting the nozzle in irregular amounts could cause melting or burning of the sides of the cut.

The focus position

It's important to set the right focus position parameter for the laser cutting task at hand. Key factors regarding focus position include the follow-up height, lens contamination, and collimation.

The cutting head

All of the components of the cutting head need to work together properly for optimal cut quality. These components include the collimating, focusing, and protective mirrors. It's important that all of these mirrors are free from contamination which will obstruct the path of light and compromise cut quality.

For more information, contact a laser cutting service.