Sheet Metal Laser Cutting Services

The Sheet Metal Laser Cutting Process
Laser cutting metal involves using laser beams to melt metals and alloys, thereby causing smooth, sharp cuts. The laser cutting process consists of two operations working in synchrony.

The first involves the material absorbing the focused laser beam the energy that causes the cut. The second involves the cutting nozzle, concentric to the lasers, providing the process gas required for the cutting. The gas protects the processing head from vapors and splashes and helps remove excesses from the kerf.

There are essentially three methods for laser cutting sheet metal.

1. Laser Beam Fusion Cutting
The laser beam fusion cutting process uses an inert gas, mostly nitrogen. The low-reaction process gas continuously vaporizes the cutting gap of the material. As the molten material gets removed, inert gas prevents oxidation at the cutting edge without interfering with the process.

This laser cutting method is suitable for cutting flat, thin sheets of aluminum alloys and stainless steel that require high aesthetic appeal and fewer finishing operations.

2. Laser Beam Sublimation Cutting
As the name suggests, laser beam sublimation cutting evaporates the material. Instead of melting the material like other laser cutting processes, they are immediately changed from solid to gas sublimation.

Like fusion cutting, laser beam sublimation cutting uses inert gases to blow the materials vapor out of the kerf. So, there are no oxidants on the cutting edge. It is often used in cutting organic materials like wood, leather, textiles, etc.