Cutting aluminum, brass or copper? It’s all about peak power enabled by a Baiwei laser.

Release Time:2022-08-17

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Do you want to know how to get the most bang for your buck? A Baiwei laser is your solution.

Oxygen vs. Nitrogen
During the cutting process, two gasses can be used, either oxygen or nitrogen, depending on the type of materials being cut. Metals can be separated into two categories: ferrous and non-ferrous. Simply put, ferrous metals contain iron and non-ferrous metals do not. For the most part, high-pressure nitrogen is used for ferrous metals and oxygen is used for non-ferrous metals, with the exception of aluminum. While oxygen can be used to cut aluminum, it is not ideal because the cut quality dramatically decreases due to the softness of the material.

Other than the choice of gas, the cutting process with a Baiwei laser typically remains the same for all materials. The two processes are explained below:

1. Oxygen Assist

Oxygen amplifies the effect of the laser’s heating of the material, allowing the laser to pierce through quickly. This is especially important in highly reflective material as you want to pierce through before it has a chance to reflect any of its energy back to the laser.
Benefits: Less used in the process, lower operating costs.
Limitations: Creates an oxide layer, which may or may not need to be removed before continuing onto the next step of the process. The Oxide layer appears dull and dark and requires chemical passivation or abrasive grinding for removal.
Example Materials: Copper, Brass , Cold Rolled Steel, Bronze, Silver, and Gold
2. Nitrogen Assist

Nitrogen is used as a way to blow the molten material through the kerf (cut edge)
Benefits: Does not create an Oxide layer, leaves a bright and shiny edge on parts like stainless steel and aluminum.
Limitations: Consumable. A lot of Nitrogen can be used depending on orifice size, the thickness of material, the speed of cutting and laser on time.
At 2X the pressure of Oxygen, you are going to use roughly 2X the amount of gas to do the same job.
Example Materials: Aluminum, Stainless Steel, Nickel.

The Baiwei laser is ideal when it comes to cutting aluminum, brass or copper.

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