Fundamentals Of Operating Laser Cutting Machines
August 9th, 2010
A machine for laser cutting needs several things to help it work effectively in its setting. One of the objects it requires is a computer system to function. Vector graphical software is needed as is computer aided design (CAD) software. CAD software data will inform the laser what to do. Proper instruction is also needed for those who will be using 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 Setup Options
There are several setups, or configuration choices for lasers. The flying optic configuration has an X and Y axis and a Z axis. The object being cut will not move. Some flatbed laser cutters allow for the optics to stay still but the material being cut will change positions. Another configuration is a laser cutter with flying optics and the surface table with the material being cut moves as well. This is a hybrid of the previous two setups. The machine that is a hybrid cannot perform projects that are high-speed but can perform work envelopes that are large, with some machines handling jobs with an over-100-foot work envelope. There are additionally 5-axis 3D laser cutting machines. This is a typical machine used in slicing sheet metal such as for producing automobile prototypes. Its work envelope may be extremely wide and entail the size of an entire automobile. The fast-growing part of the industry is in the 6-axis 3D laser machining articulated robots. This also is used primarily in the automotive industry. In this setup, the 6-axis robot is combined with an yttrium-aluminum garnet (YAG) laser. The beam holds fiber optic beam delivery. The benefit of the fiber optic beam delivery is the consistent optical-path length. Two kinds of fiber optics are used, step-index and gradient-index fibers. Gradient-index allows for improved beam focus.
Training
Users will need to be trained in various areas such as in basic usage of the laser cutter as well as methods to enter parameters for cutting into the numerical controller. The user should also understand how to manipulate CAD programs and how they interact with the laser cutter. The better a user knows how to use the machine and its components, the more money a company will make as the user will manage the work flow moving smoothly and quickly. Other software training in Material Requirements Planning (MRP) software and quality management software that administers work flow management is also useful. Quality management software can advance work flow through the use of Corrective Action Notifications (CANs) and Corrective Action Requests (CARs) where the software will handle issues and tell the proper users so the issue can be fixed. Options for training include interactive multimedia training, classroom and lab instruction, and online training. Maintenance and operator instruction are often offered to laser cutter customers by the vendor. Safety issues should also be studied.
Maintenance
One laser cutter vendor suggests a machine cleanup daily. The dust collectors and cutting beds can be cleaned out with a shop vacuum and weekly a citrus cleaner should be employed to wipe the cabinetry off. Wipe the encoder strip with alcohol only. Most parts on a laser cutter will not wear down but cutting grills will wear down and need to be replaced most likely every six months. Other components 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 operate at its optimum speed.
Marc Anderes is the Vice President of Operations of Maloya Laser which specializes in Metal Manufacturing and <A href=”http://www.MaloyaLaser.com”>Laser Cutting</a> with advanced <A href=”http://www.maloyalaser.com/capabilities_equipment.php”>laser systems</a>, servicing aerospace, medical, machinery, scientific and transportation needs.
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