Top 3 Safety Practices for Plasma Cutting

Plasma cutting is one of the most simple, popular, and economical cutting methods. But if not handled with care, it will lead to unexpected severe hazards. So, to reap its benefits and increase productivity without any accidents, you should follow some safety practices. The foremost safety step to take is investing in good quality machine parts like Mazak parts, Mitsubishi machine parts, Amada plasma cutting parts, etc. Here we will have a brief look at the top three plasma cutting safety tips that one must follow:

1. Fire Safety

In the plasma cutting process, preventing fire should be on the top of your safety checklist. It is because the plasma cutting arc blows hot metals and sparks out. It can even heat up by cutting the torch and workpiece that may cause fire and burns. Also, ensure you are keeping your eyes safe while performing plasma cutting. And how can you do it? With the help of safety glasses having a side shield. You can even use a helmet or a face shield with safety glasses for more protection.

You can also protect your body from harmful flying sparks and hot metal with the help of dry undamaged flame-resistant gloves and clothes. You can choose clothes made from tightly woven materials such as wool, leather, heavy denim, etc. You should also button your shirt collars to stop them from catching fire. You should avoid wearing cuffed pants as they can catch sparks. And to protect your feet from the fire, you should wear the best quality leather shoes and boots.

The plasma can be so hot that it can even cut through the gloves and skin. Thus, to prevent this injury, you must avoid gripping material near the cutting path.

2. Proper Ventilation

Similar to welding, plasma cutting also produces fumes and gases. And breathing them might mess with your health. You can prevent this health hazard by ensuring proper ventilation in the space where machines are working using fume extraction systems and respirators. You can even use a welding respirator while using a plasma cutter in a confined space. In situations when the airflow of your working machine room is restricted, then you can use a welding fume extractor. Additionally, ensure that you comply with the codes and standards of your area.

When you cut coated metals such as cadmium-plated steel or galvanized steel, you should remove the coating from the cutting area. These coatings release toxic fumes when they are cut with the plasma arc. You can use the suction system and exhaust hood at the arc to ventilate the cutting area while cutting the coated metals. This will keep the area free of fumes and safe to breathe.

3. Avoid Electric Shocks

Manufacturers connect plasma arc with an electric circuit between a workpiece and a torch. This means that if you touch the torch or the workpiece when the plasma cutter is operating, you might end up with a fatal electric shock through your body. Additionally, plasma cutters need compressed gas and high voltage to cut steel and electrically conductive metals. To give you a perspective, the plasma cutter voltages are in the range of 100-200 Volts, and that is way higher than welding voltages.

You can follow the below safety practices for saving yourself from electric shocks:

• Do not remove the ground clamps when the plasma cutting process progresses.
• Wear insulated boots and gloves to keep your body dry and safe from electric shocks.
• Do not remove the ground cable that is attached to the workpiece during the cutting process.
• Do not stand, sit, or lie on the wet floor while the plasma cutting process is going on. Instead, choose a rubber mat to prevent electrical shocks.

Conclusion

I hope the safety practices mentioned earlier may help you to carry out plasma cutting devoid of accidents or any injuries. You must remember, the key here is to identify the risks and eliminate them with necessary safety measures. To ensure additional safety, you can use high-quality Mazak parts and Mitsubishi machine parts. By following these safety measures, you can not only eliminate the accidents but also ensure growth and productivity.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/top-3-safety-practices-for-plasma-cutting

Things to Know While Buying Laser Engravers

Laser engraving machines are essential for businesses in order to engrave designs on different surfaces. Like 3D computers, it is computer-controlled and performs effectively when provided with CAD designs. 

Hence, laser engraving machines should be purchased with proper care and consciousness. If not, a failed investment in the wrong equipment may affect the business development. There are some factors that you need to consider while buying laser engravers and their spare parts. For instance, you should choose Mitsubishi spare parts or look for an Amanda press brake for sale.

About laser engraving machines, know about:

• Mechanics of Laser Engraving

Most of the laser equipment install stepper motors to reduce the cost. However, it declines the functional efficiency. Laser machines don’t provide high accuracy and operation ease compared to engravers equipped with high-precision servo motors. 

Stepper motors don’t receive feedback or any information about the accurate position. They only send commands. The lack of feedback might cause the laser engraver to lose coordinates in the process, which can cause defects. 

Servo motors, on the contrary, are equipped with encoders that transmit the data in real-time. It provides real-time information of laser carriage position and eliminates the loss of coordinates. They are more expensive than stepper motors. However, they can achieve high accuracy and cut speed without blurring image edges. 

• Cooling System

The steady operation of a laser machine depends on the laser tube’s cooling system. Any problem with it results in the tube’s failure. Therefore, a laser machine should consist of a water cooling unit or chiller in the tube. The chiller maintains the temperature and provides a steady operation of the tube. However, it must fit the laser machine and stabilize with the installed laser tube’s power. 

The cooling circuit should consist of a water flow sensor as additional protection. If the sensor detects a lack of flow or poor circulation, it will power off the machine to protect it from damages. However, if you’re tired of constant replacements, you should go for laser engravers with laser tubes up to 100W. The in-built fans cool the laser tube, making engravers convenient for operations. 

• Mirror and Focus Lens

The quality of engraving and cutting depends on the quality of laser optical mirrors, focus lenses, and the type of coating. Generally, a laser optical path consists of 3 to 4 mirrors and focal length to converge the beam. The special coating enhances the reflection rate. So, while installing, make sure that they are not economy class. In economy class mirrors, the coating laid burns fastest. The rate of power loss is high; it reaches around 20-50%.

Choose high-quality mirrors that are covered by gold plating. Gold has a high reflection rate. Mirrors with gold plating provide high transmission, and special coating minimizes the refraction coefficient. It increases the laser beam’s capacity.  

• Component Parts

Most of the manufacturers assemble rather than produce. They outsource the components from brands such as Mitsubishi spare parts. Hence, laser machines differ in assembled quality, design, and components. Even similar laser machines from different manufacturers can be assembled with different boards, motors, steering points, power supply, etc. 

Thus, it is crucial to choose a manufacturer that provides high-quality assembled equipment with standard specifications of the machine. 

• Warranty and Maintenance Costs

Most manufacturers provide a warranty only for laser machines. The laser tube is not covered in the warranty and thus results in extra cost. Besides, laser machines equipped with C02 glass tubes have high operating costs. So, check it properly. 

Lastly, ensure that laser machines stick to the safety and compliance declaration. All machines and engravers should comply with custom union technical regulations. 

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/things-to-know-while-buying-laser-engravers

Top 5 Types of Plasma Cutting Consumables You Must Know of

First, let us start with what plasma cutting consumables are? They are different parts of a plasma cutting machine. What does it do? It receives the electrical current from a cathode block present inside the torch to which the consumable is connected. It also focuses the charge with its tip that causes it to arc on the workpiece. Below are some of the common consumables useful in plasma cutting:

• Nozzle
• Shields
• Torch
• Electrodes
• Swirl Rings

These consumables are useful for cutting through thick and thin metal at a consistent speed. In the process, some consumables wear out quickly however some remain sturdy for a more extended period.

And how long a plasma cutter consumable will last depends more on its quality and usage frequency. But you need to make sure that you keep a daily check on all the consumables and change the faulty ones.

It is because if there is any fault in a single plasma cutting component then the whole system may malfunction and as a result, your output will not be as expected.

Also, investing in quality parts like Hypertherm consumables, amada consumables, or specific types like Hypertherm powermax 45 consumables serves as an excellent installing or replacing option. This will provide you with better outcomes and add life to your consumables.

Let us know more about different consumables:

1. Swirl Ring

A swirl ring is made up of ceramic or volcanic ash. It controls and swirls the plasma gas into the nozzle and around the electrode. This way it also controls the point where the arc attaches to the emitter. It regulates the plasma flow via nozzles that affect the edge angularity.

Additionally, the swirl ring insulates the nozzle from the electrode by aligning the emitter and nozzle in the metal’s orifice. This minor component is present inside the torch to swirl the gas molecules surrounding the plasma arc. This swirling process keeps the machine cool. A swirl ring usually swirls the gas in a clockwise rotation, however, there are swirl rings available that swirl counterclockwise to assist with mirror cutting.

2. Retaining Cap

The main purpose of this cap is to hold the consumables of the torch altogether. As we know, the temperature at the end of the machine is incredibly high. This temperature holds a high chance of wearing down the parts that create and focus the arc and also the components that hold the arc together. This can wear down the parts that create and focus the arc but also the components that hold them together.

3. Shield Cap

Just like its name, a shield is necessary to protect all the other consumables from molten metal and sparks. Most shields contain copper and it also provides the proper stand-off distance between the workpiece and the nozzle. An improper or damaged shield can cause poor cut quality of the final output.

4. Electrode

An electrode is a narrow piece of copper with hafnium. It focuses the charge by its tip and receives an electrical current by a cathode block. This cathode block is inside the torch to which the electrode is connected. This provides an arc to the workpiece.

5. Nozzle

Manufactures design the nozzle to constrict the gas stream flowing through the metal’s orifice in the center of the nozzle. This will focus on the plasma arc which directly affects the size of the kerf. A nozzle that is faulty can have an adverse effect on the metal by making its edges and sizes improper. Here, the orifice needs to be perfectly circular, not oval or egg-shaped.

Factors Affecting Life of Consumables

There are a lot of factors that can create problems that can affect plasma cutting consumable life, and troubleshooting such problems can be complicated and time consuming. So here we have a list of common factors that you can look if you are experiencing a reduction in plasma nozzle or electrode life:

• Low gas flow
• Low coolant flow
• Torch crashing/ Damaged torch
• Inaccurate pierce height
• Incorrect current setting
• Snapping off the plate edge
• Contaminated gas or water
• Improper cutting parameters
• Faulty or incorrect consumable set
• Faulty or incorrect coolant type

Here replacing the consumables with good quality parts like Hypertherm consumables or amada parts is the best option. Keeping a regular check on these factors will save your machine from further malfunctions.

Final Words

As you read about the roles of each consumable, you can say that plasma cutter consumables are extremely important in the operations of the machine. But what matters the most is the quality of the consumables. It will affect the output of the machine and the consumable's longevity. Suitable quality consumables such as Hypertherm powermax 45 consumables can provide you incredible accuracy and longer consumable life.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/top-5-types-of-plasma-cutting-consumables-you-must-know-of

Types of Lasers and their Applications

Have you wondered how the things around us are made? Most of them are the result of laser system operations. From industrial uses like cutting, marking, and welding to medical applications like scanning, precision tool manufacturing, and the luxury industry for finishing and imprinting, laser applications extend as far as possible. 

So, does every industry use the same type of laser? No, there are multiple types of laser with a wide range of applications. Brands like Prima spare parts and Bystronic parts provide components based on their type. 

Here are some commonly used laser techniques. 

1. Gas Lasers

In a gas laser, an electric current discharges through a gas to produce coherent light. As they convert electrical energy to light laser output, they were the first continuous laser. The first gas laser was introduced in 1960 when Iranian-American physicists Ali Javan and William R. Bennet invented the Helium-Neon laser (He-Ne).

Due to low cost and high coherence, he-Ne lasers are used in optical research and educational labs. C02 lasers have the capacity to emit 100 watts in one spatial mode. Hence, they are used for cutting and welding. 

2. Chemical Lasers

Chemical lasers generate energy through chemical reactions. They emit radiation and thus serve best in the military. However, when combined with gases, they prove helpful for various industrial applications too. For example, a high power COIL transmitted by fused silica-fiber optics can be used for cutting and welding. 

The chemical reaction used in the lasers is based on the excitement of HF* and DF* molecules. 

3. Excimer Lasers

An excimer laser, also known as exciplex laser, is a form of an ultraviolet laser. Here, the laser technology uses a particular gas laser driven by an electric charge, where the lasing medium is excimer. Excimers are the molecules that exist with an atom in an excited electronic state. These lasers operate at a wavelength of ultraviolet and are used to produce microelectronic devices, semiconductor based circuits, eye surgery, micromachining, etc. 

4. Solid State Lasers

A solid state laser uses a solid medium rather than liquid as in dye laser or gas in gas laser. It uses glass or crystalline rod that is doped with ions, providing energy states. It is used for developing defense equipment. 

The common type of solid state laser is neodymium laser. Note that semiconductor-based lasers are in the solid state, but they are of different classes. 

5. Fiber Lasers

The most commonly used laser for industrial applications such as cladding, cutting, engraving, marking, hardening, and welding is a fiber laser. Here, the guided medium for total internal reflection is an optical fiber. As light travels a long distance, it provides cooling conditions. The high surface-to-volume ratio increases the cooling effect. 

Fiber lasers have an expected life of 100,000 hours, which is typically 45 years of use. Hence, they make the best choice for industrial purposes. Also, brands like Bystronic provide high-quality Bystronic parts to increase the laser’s life span. 

6. Free Electron Lasers

Free electrons, as the name says, are not bound to molecules or atoms. They use a relativistic electron beam and cover a wide range of wavelengths from microwaves to infrared and X-rays. As the electrons are free of state, they have a broad range of wavelengths. 

Types of Laser Operations

Though there are multiple types of lasers, they operate in 2 different forms - continuous wave operation and pulsed operation. In continuous-wave operation, the beam imparts power for an extended period of time. Pulse operations, on the contrary, provide an optical power in pulses, repeated over time. They are customized for time frame output power. 

By this, we hope that you have got an idea about the laser types. In the following article, let’s learn how laser technology impacts our daily life.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/types-of-lasers-and-their-applications

11 Methods to Extend The Life of Plasma Cutting Machine Consumables

Whether you are using the world's best quality machines and parts, the chances of them getting damaged someday are 100%. Of course, using good quality parts like esab plasma cutter parts will provide longevity to the machine parts rather than average quality parts, but maintenance is still necessary. People often don't apply for maintenance because of the higher costs it requires. But investing in effective methods to reduce losses is also a cost-saving method.

Here we have some commonly used method list you can apply to reduce the cost of plasma consumables as much as possible:

1. Use a Reasonable Cutting Height

According to the guidance of the instruction manual, you should use a reasonable cutting height. Cutting height is basically the distance between the cutting nozzle and the surface of the workpiece. When perforating, you need to use a value slightly higher than the perforation height in the parameter table.

2. Do Not Overload the Nozzle

Overloading the nozzle or exceeding the operating current of the nozzle will damage the nozzle. Also, the current intensity should only be 95% of the working current of the nozzle. For instance, the current intensity of a 100A nozzle should be set to 95A.

3. Ensure the Correct Flow Rate and Air Pressure of the Plasma

The correct flow of plasma and gas pressure are very essential to the service life of consumables. If the air pressure of the machine is too high, then the life of the electrode will reduce significantly. And if the air pressure is too low, then it will affect the life of the nozzle.

4. The Thickness of the Perforation Needs to be Within the Range of the Machine System

The cutting machine will not perforate the steel plate exceeding the normal working thickness. The usual working perforation thickness is half of the normal cutting thickness for the machine having configuration below 100A. For instance, the 100A system is set for cutting 1-inch carbon steel, then the working perforates should be 0.5 inches.

5. Keep the Plasma Gas Dry and Clean

The plasma system requires dry and clean plasma gas to work typically. Dirty gas usually creates a problem for the gas compression system. This will shorten the service life of consumable parts and will also cause severe damage. The testing method for the gas quality includes setting the cutting torch in the test state and placing a mirror under it to consume gas in the cutting torch. If the water vapor and mist appear in the mirror, then you must find out the reason and correct it as soon as possible.

6. Start the Cutting from the Edge

Instead of perforating, you should start cutting the materials from the edge as much as possible. If you will use edge as the starting point, it will help to extend the life of the consumable parts. Here, the correct cutting method is to directly aim the nozzle at the edge of the workpiece before you start the plasma arc.

7. Apply Splash-Proof Chemical Paint on the Protective Shell

The splash-proof chemical coating helps in reducing the buildup of slag on the protective shell. But you need to remove the protective shell from the torch before applying splash-proof paint.

8. Clear the Gas After Replacing Consumables

First of all, you need to replace the parts with good quality parts like esab replacement parts as per requirement for maintaining the quality of the final output. Once you replace the consumables, you should clear the gas. This is necessary for retaining the water and discharging the mist from the cut.

9. Remove the Slag on the Protective Shell

Removing the slag on the protective shell of the cutting torch frequently is necessary. Otherwise, it will create a destructive heavy plasma arc.

10. Keep the Cutting Torch and Consumable Parts Clean

Any dirt on the cutting torch or any consumable parts will strongly affect the function of the plasma system. While replacing consumable parts:

• Place the parts on the clean flannel
• Replace consumable parts with quality esab replacement parts
• Place the parts on a clean flannel
• Check the connection ribs of the cutting torch regularly
• Clean the nozzles and electrode contact surface with hydrogen peroxide cleaner

11. Use Softened Water to Inject the Cutting Torch

Hard water can cause metal impurities to precipitate on the nozzle ring. And it will affect the airflow, reduce the torch quality, and shorten the life of consumable parts.

The primary key to maintain the machine parts is to invest in good quality parts like the esab plasma cutter parts. And then you can maintain them as per your budget and usage.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/11-methods-to-extend-the-life-of-plasma-cutting-machine-consumables

6 Tips For Improving Plasma Cut Quality

 No matter if you are using a plasma cutter for DIY projects or heavy fabrications, you need to be efficient when it comes to quality cutting. Though plasma cutting is a user-friendly machine, there is still more to meet the eyes. - such as improving quality cutting, maintaining consumable parts, and improving overall efficiency.

You also need to take care of gas and air using in the plasma cutting. For this, you can take the help of Hypertherm hpr260 parts or Hypertherm hpr260 consumables. Below are some other tips you can follow to improve plasma cut quality.

Select Right Plasma Cutter

There are several factors to consider when purchasing the plasma cutter. What is the capacity of the plasma cutter, what are its purchase and operational costs, duty cycle, and much more? Think about the duties you will perform while selecting the machine and select the one that suits your needs.

Here are some questions you can ask yourself:

• Do you need a portable plasma cutter?
• What is your budget?
• What are the materials you need to perform the plasma cutting?
• How often will you use the plasma cutting machine?
• Will you use generators or local power outlets to power your machines?

Setup Machine Properly

Plasma cutting uses electrical energy to cut the materials. The electric charge melts the surface of the metal, which is why it is mandatory to protect the user and the plasma cutter unit. Lock the ground clamp to clean metal only. If necessary, grind off the rust as it can disrupt the flow of electricity. It's also essential to keep the clamp as closer to the cut area as possible.

It is also necessary to replace the worn spots, cables, loose connections, or anything that disrupts the flow of electricity. Ultimately, for getting the final results, it is crucial to use the correct tip. The right tip can cut the material more efficiently and save your time and money.

Practice Your Cuts

The first cut is significant for any cutting project. Without dragging the trigger, go over the path you want to cut. Practice the movement to make sure you are on the right track. It also gives the freedom of movement to make one continuous cut. If you stop and start again from the same spot, it can create irregularities in the cut.

You can also do a sample cutting on the type of material you are going to work on. This will ensure you are using the correct settings and cutting speed.

Watch the Travel Speed

More the speed of your plasma cutter, more cleaner the cut it will create. When cutting the thicker material, set the machine to the full output and change your travel speed. On thinner material, turn down the amperage and change to lower-amperage tip to keep up the narrow kerf.

With a proper travel speed, the arc should exit the material at a 15 to 20-degree angle opposite the direction of travel. If the plasma goes straight down, it means you're moving slowly. If it sprays back, it means you're moving too fast.

Traveling at the right speed and with the right amount of heat will produce a very clean cut with less dross at the bottom of the cut with no distortion to the metal.

Checkout the Consumables

If the tip becomes worn, the quality of the cut will be affected, so regular inspection is a must. If the tip becomes irregular or develops a pit, discarding is a better option.

The consumables will wear with each cut, but factors like moisture, cutting of extensively thick materials, or poor techniques will increase the wear and tear of consumables. The best exercise is to replace the tip and electrode together for optimum quality cuts.

Make sure not to over-tighten the parts as it moves to create an arc, so only finger tighten the cap. Also, use high-quality consumables like Hypertherm hpr260 parts and Hypertherm hpr260 consumables.

Check Air and Gas Quality

Are you using air plasma? Then make sure your air is dry and clean. The same goes with your gas when using oxygen or a multi-gas system. Always use high-quality gas and the appropriate sized gas lines and regulators. Look over to see if the gas is leaking or any flow is restricted. If needed, consult your gas distributor for help.

Conclusion

Unboxing the plasma cutter might be easy, but it will take time to familiarize yourself with the proper operation. By going through the above tips, you can surely improve the quality of your plasma cutting. Apart from that, have a regular inspection of your cutter parts and consumables to avoid any mishappening.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/6-tips-for-improving-plasma-cut-quality

6 Tips to Enhance the Laser Cutting Process

 Laser cutting is an amazing manufacturing process mainly used by engineers in the manufacturing industry. Laser cutters use a focused beam to pierce a material specified by the designers.

Apart from cutting, laser cutters can also raster onto a workpiece by heating the surface of the workpiece. This process makes the prototyping quick.

Laser cutters are a convenient tool for prototyping and manufacturing; they are mainly used in machine shops on an industrial scale to cut huge pieces of materials. They are also used to create cheap and quick prototypes.

Also, laser cutters produce harmful fumes that are very risky. One way to reduce the risk is by using good quality parts like Bystronic laser parts or prima laser parts. Here are some other tips you can use to enhance your laser cutting.

Select a Software and Master it

Do you use Adobe Illustrator? Or are you handy with CorelDraw? There is no software that's the best, but if you like one, just stick to it.

There are many design software that supports laser cutter drivers. Such software are pretty standard among the 2D designs or some 3D designs. Here are a couple of software that you may already be familiar with or you may want to try out.

2D Design:

Inkscape: Open source software and free to use

CorelDRAW: Graphic design software with a huge number of tools and features

AutoCAD: Drawing software, primarily used by engineers and architects

Adobe Illustrator: Graphic design software for high-quality designs

3D Design:

SketchUp: 3D designing software comes with 30 days free trial

SolidWorks: 3D design software with multiple design package

Autodesk Fusion: Cloud-based platform for manufacturing process

Settings of Laser Cutting

Before performing the laser cutting process, it is good to know the settings of it. A laser cutter comes with primary settings as per the above image. The power represents the strength of a laser. Speed is how fast your laser will go. If it is too quick, it may not cut all the way, but a low speed can lead to melting or burning. So most of the time, you can stick to the moderate settings for the cutting to be fine.

Frequency determines the laser pulses during a cutting operation. The higher the frequency the cleaner the slash would be. But it is also okay to keep the frequency low to prevent flammable materials from catching fire.

Use the Quality Spare Parts

When it comes to laser cutting, lasers majorly depend upon the consumables and parts. So whenever you are using any part or replacing it, make sure you are using top-quality parts. Bystronic laser parts and Amada laser parts are some of the best ones.

Amada and Bystronic parts come in a variety of ranges like focus lenses, nozzles, lens wizards, and much more.

You can also check out other brands such as Hypertherm, Mitsubishi, Mazak, Prima, etc.

Know the Material You Are Using

While designing with laser-cut, you should start thinking about what materials you will work upon. Are you designing a prototype? Then you should consider cheap materials like cardboard. Else you can use wood or any other metal.

Talking about wood, type matters! Wood could be soft or hard. A harder wood can produce a darker appearance than a softwood.

Another common material is acrylic. It is more fragile than wood. So be mindful of the spacing between the lines. To keep acrylic material nice and clean, putting on protective tape is the best way to go.

Types of Laser Cutters

There are three types of laser cutters:

CO2 Lasers: The generated lasers have stimulated gas mixtures (majorly consists of carbon dioxide). CO2 is one of the most common types of laser cutter because it is inexpensive and can cut most materials like leather, acrylic, glass, wood, plastic, etc.

Neodymium Lasers: The laser consists of neodymium doped crystals. These lasers have small wavelengths as compared to CO2 but they are highly intensive. Which means they can cut through much thicker materials like plastics, metals, and some ceramics.

Fiber Lasers: The laser is usually doped with rare-earth elements such as erbium, dysprosium, and holmium. The laser has a wavelength similar to neodymium lasers. But they are built in such a way that they require less maintenance and can cut materials like metals and plastic.

Though they look very similar, they are distinct in terms of power or how they cut materials.

Thickness of Materials and Kerf

The focal point of the lens of the laser cutter cuts the material. On the other side of the material, the laser isn't as focused and the beam is slightly larger as compared to the focal point. This gap that the laser makes is basically known as kerf.

For example, the kerf on the saw blade is usually a rectangle. The laser cutter's kerf is slightly trapezoidal because the laser beam gets wider after its focal point. The kerf of the given laser determines the maximum thickness of the material it can cut. Because the laser will get thicker after its focal point. When the beam is thicker, then it is unfocused to cut it well.

Time to Cut

Now you might be ready to cut the material. It can take a few tries to find the ideal settings to cut your materials. Also, don't lose hope if your first few projects don't turn out to be successful. Keep in mind the above tips and use good quality consumable parts like the Bystronic parts. If you are happy with the results, don't forget to note them down for future reference.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/6-tips-to-enhance-the-laser-cutting-process