Factors Affecting the Cutting Quality of Laser Cutting Machines for Metal Sheets

As is well known, metal plate laser cutting machines are primarily mechanical equipment designed for rapidly cutting various metal materials used in the catering industry, such as stainless steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, copper, titanium, and other metals. However, during actual operation, numerous factors can influence cutting quality, including speed, power, and nozzle settings. Let's examine how these elements affect the cutting quality of metal plate laser cutting machines.

The speed of a metal plate laser cutting machine affects different materials in a similar manner. Excessively high speeds may result in failed cuts, sparks flying, and a cross-section exhibiting diagonal striations, leading to a thicker overall cut with melted residue accumulating in the lower half. Conversely, excessively slow speeds cause excessive melting of the cutting plate, resulting in a rough cut surface, a correspondingly wider kerf, and melting of the entire area at smaller radii or sharp corners, failing to achieve the desired cutting effect. Cutting sparks can indicate the feed rate: generally, if sparks spread downward and appear tilted, the feed rate is too fast; if sparks do not spread and cluster together, the feed rate is too slow.

The impact of power on cutting is primarily reflected in the quality of the cut surface. When laser cutting metal plates, excessive power settings cause the entire surface to melt, resulting in overly wide kerfs and poor cut quality. Insufficient power leads to molten residue and scarring on the cut surface; extremely low power may even fail to cut the workpiece. For thicker plates, achieving stable, high-efficiency cutting relies on high-power laser technology, exemplified by ten-kilowatt systems.

Generally, nozzle impact on cutting primarily manifests as non-circular nozzles causing poor beam-gas flow coaxiality, resulting in inconsistent cut cross-sections or even failure to cut. Uneven cutting surfaces due to collisions or molten residue adhesion affect tunnel formation and cutting outcomes. Nozzle aperture size significantly influences cutting quality and piercing performance. Larger apertures reduce protective lens shielding capability. During cutting, molten material sparks and splatters frequently, significantly shortening the lens lifespan.

Additionally, cutting quality is influenced by process parameters, material quality, gas purity, beam quality, and other factors.

For more information on laser marking machines, laser welding machines, and laser cutting machines, please visit the official website of Top Optics Laser: http://www.tollaser.com