An excellent engineer's guide to laser cutting

Today, a concentrated, powerful laser beam is used in the fabrication process of laser cutting to slice the material into slabs, plates, or sheets. Non-contact optics are typically used in the process to control the output's form.

It is most frequently used in industrial applications where the quality of the cut is crucial, and milling or drilling would be an unaffordable option. Several materials may be used during the fabrication process, mostly in conjunction with metals, such as plastic, glass, gemstones, or paper.

Using a laser to cut has many applications. According to the circumstances of what you wish to perform with a laser, there are several procedures, including fusion, oxidation, and scribing, each of which has advantages.

Do you discover it challenging to maintain your equipment operational because your provider is unresponsive? Amada lasers consumables can avoid frustration, obstacles, and lost revenue. Here are some lists of an excellent engineer's guide to laser cutting:

What is the process of laser cutting?

Laser cutting is the procedure in which a high-powered laser beam is used to cut or etch goods. Typically, the laser is beamed through high-fidelity optics, where it slices some items. Different cutting systems are used depending on the project's required performance and material type.

A laser beam is produced when electromagnetic radiation pulses are arranged laterally inside a closed container. These pulses are generated using electrical discharges or lamps by the excitation of a material.

When the light's energy exceeds the threshold required to leave the laser in a single, well-focused pulse from one end of the tube, it is amplified as it alternates between two mirrors.

How to create the most of the Machine with Laser Cutting:

The properties of your material and its intended application play a significant role in determining the ideal laser for cutting it.

When selecting the design of your laser for this application from the best Amada replacement parts, there are other elements to take, such as how powerful it needs to be, what kind of wavelength you need, and perhaps its temporal mode and spatial mode capabilities.

These factors can influence whether or not a laser with an experienced focus or one that offers different types of beam outputs will be the better choice.

• Wavelength:

The amount of heating required to melt or cut through an object depends on the wavelength of the laser beam because it affects how the material absorbs light.

• Beam Strength:

The size of the focusing spot a laser beam produces and, consequently, the effectiveness of the cut across a material are governed by its modal distribution. A beam is typically thought to be most effective when it produces Gaussian data.

• Focus Point:

The beam is assisted in focusing to a small, highly concentrated point using a lens or a specialized mirror. The focal spot, also known as the focus, is where the beam's diameter is most minor.

The optimum focus for your laser cutter depends on a number of elements, such as the material's qualities, thickness, beam's shape, mode, etc.

• Power:

Getting stronger laser Amada replacement parts is the best option if you cut many things. On the other hand, you can get away with employing a machine with a weaker laser if your applications don't call for a lot of cutting.

 Remember that greater intensity levels always result in faster burning and more expensive each cut. Again, flexibility is essential since it depends on how much work needs to be done.

Types of laser cutting:

• Fusion cutting provides a cutting edge almost entirely free of oxide because it uses reaction-inhibiting nitrogen or argon as the cutting gas.
• Utilizing oxygen as an aid gas during oxidative cutting raises the temperature and reaction rate at the cutting interface, allowing for the quicker removal of thicker materials with a lower-quality surface finish.
• The electronics industry mainly uses laser scribing to process thin sheets of material.

Many kinds of lasers can be used in these three laser cutting methods, including fiber, solid-state, and gas, like the CO2 emission gas laser.

Benefits of using a laser cutting over other cutting methods:

Laser cutting has many advantages compared to other cutting methods, including mechanical die punching, sawing, plasma cutting, and waterjet. The following list and analysis highlight some of the main benefits:

• Reduced heat impacted zone and reduced material deformation
• Greater cutting accuracy
• High rates of repetition
• Less contamination of the materials
• Improved operational personnel safety conditions
• Better cutting edges and less additional polishing needed after the cut
• Decreased material waste because of improved sheet use

Final Thoughts:

Finally, Innovative businesses can create new and complicated products more rapidly and affordably thanks to Amada laser consumables. Laser cutting provides exceptional precision and reproducibility and can produce parts in days instead of weeks.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/an-excellent-engineer-s-guide-to-laser-cutting

7 Points to Consider for Laser Cutting Maintenance

Maintenance is not about fixing things but about not having to fix things. A lot of fabricators do not understand it. They usually do not like interrupting their production, thinking it will affect the total outcome.

When the proper maintenance is ignored, the equipment can stop working anytime if pushed beyond limits. So, having a maintenance schedule is better and saving your business from unplanned costs. Regular maintenance can lower the failure of a machine. Regular replacements of spare parts and cleaning can take you a long way.

Here are some points you need to take care of to maintain the laser machine:

1. Daily Maintenance

• Always check the pressure of laser gas and cutting gas before turning on the machine. You must replace it if the gas pressure is not enough.
• Check the alignment of the X, Y, and Z-axis, and none of the screws should be loose.
• Check the water level in the chiller. You should refill it if it is not sufficient.
• After the end of the day, check the focus lens for damage. If you find any, replace them with new ones. You can easily find Amanda parts and trumpf parts online. Their spare parts must be of good quality so that you never have to compromise with the quality of cuts.
• Clean the waste on the machine after completing daily work and also clean the surroundings. None of the parts of the machine should have any debris, or else it can damage the machine in the long run.

2. Maintenance of Optical Path Lens

• You should not touch the surface of the optical lens directly with bare hands. It can cause scratches on the surface of the lens.
• You must not clean the lens with water or detergent. It can damage the film on its surface.
• Clean with rubbing alcohol and muslin cloth. If your lens is damaged, you can contact the service department to repair it. Using damaged lenses can accelerate the damage to the repairable lens.

3. Proper Installation of Optical Lens

• Before installing the lens, you must ensure that you are wearing clean clothes, that your hands are properly sanitized, and you are wearing clean gloves.
• Lenses shouldn't be touched with bare hands.
• While removing the lens, hold it from the side so that you do not touch its surface.
• While mounting the lens to the holder, extreme force should not be applied as it might deform the lens and affect the quality of the laser beam.
• Use a spray gun to remove dust on the mirror surface.
• Lastly, use an air spray gun to clean the lens and free it from dust or foreign particles.

4. Maintenance of Water Chiller

• It is important for the chiller to work properly to ensure the laser machine is working in good condition.
• You must clean the heat sink and condenser regularly.
• Check the water levels in the tank regularly. If the water levels are low, you can add deionized water to it.
• Check the electrical terminals and remove the dust.
• Clean the impurities in the filter regularly. If there is any damage to the filter, it should be replaced immediately.

5. Maintenance of Air Compressor

• Before you start the maintenance process, the compressed air in the storage tank must be drained.
• Clean the air filters every 15 days.
• You can replace the filters every 1200 hours of operation.
• Replace the valve disc if necessary.

6. Maintenance of Air Dryer

• Depending on the air's humidity, you must drain the air and water 3 to 7 times in the refrigeration dryer.
• Clean the air filters every month.
• You must remove and clean the cooling fins of the air condenser once a month.
• Every six months, replace the air filters.

7. Maintenance of Regulated Power Supply

• Every month all the connection terminals in the regulator and the main circuit must be tightened.
• You must check the elasticity of the sliding carbon brush every three months. Use the dry compressed air to blow dust adhered to the components in the regulator.

Conclusion

It is important to keep maintenance as a priority and not compromise. Not all the steps discussed above will fit all metal fabricators, but they will help you maintain your laser machine. If you do not have any maintenance plans, this article will help you make one. Along with maintenance, if you ever change the spare parts, ensure the brand; generally Amada parts are of good quality. Using good quality spare parts will last longer and provide good quality laser cuts. You can buy good quality Amada laser parts, trumpf laser parts, etc. online.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/7-points-to-consider-for-laser-cutting-maintenance

Why do Industries Prefer Plasma Cutting Method?

Are you looking for easy ways to cut metals? And what if I tell you that the solution is easy to use on metals like steel? The solution is a plasma cutter, a tool that has already replaced the use of traditional torches. And the great part is that it also comes with many added advantages. And so, many industries use it, as it has many applications. Keep reading further to explore more on this topic. 

What is Plasma Cutting?

To get you started, let me introduce you to plasma cutting. It is a melting process in which a jet of ionized gas works at temperatures above 20,00 degrees Celsius and is used to melt and expel the material from the cut. 

The process reverts the gas to its normal state, emitting an intense heat that melts down the metal, and the gas flows from the cut. Plasma gasses usually include Argon, Hydrogen, or Nitrogen which can easily replace the air. This process can easily be done with Hypertherm plasma cutter parts as it comes with 

Why do Industries Choose Plasma Cutting?

Plasma cutting is a globally used technique to cut steel and other metals in the industry. These cutters make use of inert gas and have four main applications discussed below.

Main Applications:

Plasma cutting tools are widely used in the aircraft industry because they majorly use metal components. It is used in the military aircraft industry and the commercial aircraft industry as well. It is also widely used in the automotive industry as well, as it helps with cutting, welding, and creating different parts for automobiles. It is also important for the people working in the locksmith industry. Because they're the use of these parts becomes really important. All in all, it is important in all those industries where there is a vast use of metal parts. These parts serve an important role in the functioning of those industries. 

Precise Cutting:

The major advantage of using metal cutting tools is the precision in the results. Hypertherm powermax 45 consumables are plasma cutter parts that can help you figure out these things for you. Apart from normal functions, these tools precisely cut the metals along curved lines. This is done with the help of templates, making it possible by creating a heat-affected zone. This enables smooth cutting.

No Effect on Surrounding Area:

Another advantage of such plasma cutting tools is that the area being cut, the metal surrounding is not affected in the process, mostly it is cold, while the heat affected area is made such that it is easy to cut. This is the most used technique where the surrounding metal needs to be protected from heat.

Fast Functioning:

Speed is what differentiates between a traditional cutting tool and a plasma cutter. A plasma cutter can cut metals five times faster than traditional cutters.

You can choose the plasma cutters according to your use because it comes in different sizes. The other best thing is that these are highly portable tools, and as it uses inert gasses, these tools are way safer than other traditional tools. 

The plasma cutters are computer-based, making the cutting process easy and simple. It also helps with the cutting of different dimensions and specifications.

The only disadvantage of these tools is that they are not equipped to cut wood or plastic use.

Conclusion:

A plasma cutter is one of the efficient tools for people working with metals. Buyers of these tools need to choose the most suitable one amongst those available in the market. These plasma cutting methods are used in almost all industries where there is a large use of different metal parts. So, if you want quick and accurate results on metal cutting parts, go with it. What are you waiting for?

Source: https://writeupcafe.com/why-do-industries-prefer-plasma-cutting-method/

7 Benefits of Using a Laser Cutting Machines

Metal fabrication is widespread these days and is extensively used in today’s world. It is one technology that is picking up pace in the metal industry. And the demands are high because it has many benefits attached to it. Keep reading further to explore more about this. 

First, let me make things simple for you by explaining what laser cutting technology is. Laser cutting technology uses a laser to vaporize the materials, resulting in a cut-edge piece. This technology is generally used for industrial manufacturing applications. These days, it is used in schools, for small businesses, by hobbyists, and by most architects. Keep reading further to explore its benefits.

Benefits:

To know why the architects and industry people require Fanuc parts and what all added advantages it has, read further. 

1. Flexibility:

Laser cutting does not require a separate tool for each different kind of cut. It functions on the same tools suitable for cutting various shapes within the same material thickness. Thus, it is flexible and does not complicate any cuts to create problems.

2. Precision:

One significant benefit of using a laser cutting machine is that it works way better when compared to other metal cutting methods, like a thermal cutting machine. It has an accuracy of +/-0.1mm and has the highest precision without any aftereffects or treatment. Therefore, no added tolerance is required.

3. Repeatability:

The repeatability of +/-0.05mm helps ensure that the parts have replicas of each other. 

4. Speed:

Laser cutting is a fast process, and with the modern version that has come into play, it makes the process much quicker, even for complex cuts. It is the fastest when compared to plasma or flame-cutting lasers. Also, it helps maintain the thickness of 10mm, making it a more efficient laser cutter. 

5. Automation:

Though most of the processes are automated, some workforce is required to operate this highly automated machine. An experienced operator plays a tremendous role here, as it makes the process faster without compromising the quality standards of the result.

These days machines come with feeding systems and conveyors, making it more costly but making the work easy for you. 

6. Quality:

Using a proper setup helps to improve the quality of the end product. The result depends on the quality of the raw material used. Usually, it comes with a slight heat zone with a HAZ area, resulting in more reliable and predictable parts. And in most cases, it is not even necessary to remove the slight burr. 

7. Contactless Cutting:

Contactless cutting makes only the beam come in contact with the material, so there is no wear and tear in any machinery parts. Therefore, you can use quality Fanuc spare parts to help you with the same. You can make the machine last longer because there is no damage to it. 

8. Versatility:

One of the most important aspects of laser cutting is its versatility, as laser cutting is used for many different materials, including paper, wood, acrylic, metals and so on. A single machine can function on different things and needs to do different jobs on different materials. A few can even perform for box sections and open channels. 

Conclusion:

There are many advantages of using a laser cutting machine. We hope this article provided you with the seven advantages of using a laser cutting machine. So, what are you thinking? If a single machine can do so much and provide you with these many advantages, you just need to buy it without giving it a second thought, so just go for it.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/7-benefits-of-using-a-laser-cutting-machines

Why Use Press Brakes

Press brakes are essential equipment that helps fabricators create formed parts using a punch and die. It helps make parts, including ductwork, brackets, structural forms, enclosures, channels, and custom projects. It is easy to find press brakes in any fabrication job shop or other machinery shops. 

These are versatile in nature, which makes them more useful for their application. These help fabricators and operators bend a metal sheet and create new items of different shapes and sizes. Nowadays, press brakes help create better bends in less time, making them more efficient to use. Read further to explore why you should use press brakes. 

What are Press Brakes?

Press brakes are fabrication tools that are useful in bending a metal sheet or plate. It functions by placing it on top of a die and lowering the punch on it to make it bend. A force is applied to the material to create bends by the die. The force is applied constantly until the desired shape and angle are achieved. A press brake controller or operator holds account for the spring back in the material. It is retracted back to its position to achieve a proper angle after the pressure is removed. There are many different types of press brakes, and each one has its own use. Depending on the generation, the bending force brakes are classified into electric press brakes, pneumatic press brakes, hydraulic press brakes, and mechanical press brakes. 

Benefits of Using a Press Brake:

There are individual benefits of using each kind of press break, but here we will explore the benefits of using the press brakes in general. Keep reading further to explore it. 

1. Material Waste is Reduced

As press brakes have desired results, no material goes to waste, unlike other machinery. It also helps make high-end precision items with utmost accuracy. 

 

2. In-House Forming Capabilities

For utmost accuracy, you need to use press brakes. It will lead you to the production of high-quality products by reducing the rejection rates. Having an in-house capability leads the customer to high satisfaction.

 

3. Punching

You can easily fit a press brake with a single punch set or a complete die set for punching the holes accurately in one stroke. Press brakes help with various punching applications and also let you offset the punch height if needed.

 

4. Hemming

The hemming process is one of the most necessary operations that a press brake can perform. It is executed in almost every fabricating shop where you can find a press brake. Hemming is the process of folding a small portion of the sheet over and closing it back on itself to create a thicker edge. It is durable and rigid in nature. It makes the edge rounded for safe handling. It is an essential process for the manufacturing of different types of boxes, covers, and panels. 

 

5. Complex Forming

Amada press brake for sale can offer you great flexibility and a cost-effective solution. It is combined with a segmented punch, die sets, acute tooling, and other sophisticated controls to easily form complex multi-angle parts if needed. 

 

6. Prototype Forming

One major benefit of using a press brake is that the setup and tooling are simple, which makes switching between the applications easy. It allows you to form your parts without expensive or complex tooling and setups. It also makes prototype bedding and forming applications way simple and easy. 

 

7. Automation

Modern press brakes are used these days to automate to increase productivity. It helps reduce the labour cost and improves accuracy. It has multiple data ports and accessories for facilitating automation. 

8. Flexibility

Another benefit of using a press brake includes bending at an extremely wide angle for various materials, giving you more varieties to punch on different parts. 

Conclusion

Good quality and used press brake parts make managing the machines better. And so, for a smooth and finished output, Amada parts are one of the best options you can get. Modern press brakes offer a vast set of controllers because it is easy to program. Also, it is simple and straightforward for a shop owner to program a job and complete a 2D or 3D simulation. If the owner has the exact information needed, it is a walk, and the work will be done in no time. So, there are many benefits of using a press brake; you can earn more in less time. And since most of the processes are automated, it makes it easier for you. So, don’t think much and use Amada parts to help yourself out with press brakes.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/why-use-press-brakes

4 Tips to Increase the Shelflife of Laser Cutting Machine

Laser machines are expensive and it’s not a hidden fact. If you are spending thousands of dollars behind a machine, it is essential to preserve them and take care of them. Every business have different materials to cut. To add to this, the number of hours the machine is on also matters. All these factors decide the cleaning routine of the laser machine. So, here we have some tips for you that might help you to increase your machines life.

Clean the Laser Cutter Regularly

There are three elements that must be perfectly maintained in a laser machine.

1. The water tube must be cleaned and the water inside it should be changed weekly. This ensure the water tube is able to cool the laser machine which starts heating up after some time. The water used inside should be deionized to prevent any kind of deposits to gather inside the tube.
   
   
2. The extraction of dust particles is also essential. Cleaning process is important to avoid any deposit formation inside the machine. This layer formed by the deposits can be flammable. The high end laser machines have pre installed extractor with filters. Other machines have only low power fan. So if your machine have fans only then it is worth adding a power extraction system. You should do cleaning of your machine and surroundings daily.
   
   
3. The X and Y axis of the machine must be kept clean. You can use a soft cloth or a cotton swab dipped in alcohol or any neutral solvent to clean the axis. The movable parts must also be lubricated properly to ensure smooth movement.

Location

Have you ever wondered what could be the ideal location for your laser cutting machine. The machine is sensitive to the climate variation. Thus, it is important to save it from the high temperatures in summer and cold temperature in winters. So what all can we do to increase the life of the laser machine. The temperature of the workshop must be maintained as per the whether. The water that runs inside the CO2 tube should be between 15 to 25 degree Celsius. For summers you can have water coolers to maintain the temperature of your laser machine.

Condition of the Laser Machine

It is advisable to uses the machine in its ideal formats and settings. Because if the you try some random pattern then it might be possible that it breaks some parts of your machine or damages something. We all like to be creativity, but when you are dealing with such expensive machine it is ideal to go the conventional way and not try any random stuff. Also, such machines are made for specific use only. 

Using Suitable Material

Every laser machine have different compatibility with the metals and non metals. It is obvious that you would have purchased the laser machine that work for your business. Meaning the metals or nonmetals that your business requires to cut. So, it is advisable to use only those materials that the laser machine is compatible. It is not suitable to use materials like PVC or leather in laser machine. It is not that laser machine will not be able to cut it, but it will catch fire and it can damage parts of the machine. So if you stick to the materials that the machine is compatible, its life span will definitely increase. And if try something that creates a lot of dust then it is better to clean the mess before using the machine.

Conclusion

Some parts of the laser machine have limited life span. Consumables like lenses, nozzles, etc. requires regular replacement. You can buy bystronic parts, amada parts, etc. online. To do so google “Bystronic laser parts” or the name of the laser brand you have and you will find results of suppliers selling the same.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/4-tips-to-increase-the-shelflife-of-laser-cutting-machine

How to Maintain a Laser Machine

Businesses invest a huge amount on laser machines. To ensure this investment benefits your business for longer, you have to maintain it wisely. Routine maintenance benefits in many ways like always receiving the perfect cut quality and increasing the life of the machine. To increase ROI maintenance plays a vital role. There is not much required to do on a daily basis. You can set different routine patterns to ensure every part is maintained regularly. Here is the list of parts that requires maintenance and how you should do it.

Optics Maintenance

When the machine is on, there are dust particles released and if they are not cleaned, it can contaminate the lenses. The dust particles can pile up and can cause poor focus. This reduces the power of the laser. Furthermore, it will result in poor quality of cut or engraving.

If the dust particles on the lens are not cleaned regularly, it can lead to cracking or burning of the lens. If this ever happens the machines need to stop and the lenses should be replaced. You can prevent such incidents by regularly cleaning the lens with rubbing alcohol and cloth.

It is also a good practice to replace the lenses on regular intervals based on the usage of the machine. You can find good quality mitsubishi replacement parts, trumpf replacement parts, amada, prima, etc. online. You must always buy replacement parts from authorized dealers.

Water Chiller Maintenance

The laser machine heats up when in use. So, to maintain the temperature of the laser machine, water is circulated to save from overheating of the laser tube. If the water in the chiller is not circulating properly or the water is not changed regularly, it can result in failure of the laser tube due to heating. 

The repair can cost your business tons.

So, for maintaining the chiller properly, the water in it should be cleared of debris and it should be replaced every six months or earlier in case of heavy usage. Thus, with little attention that a water chiller needs, it can extend the life of your laser machine.

Rail and Track Maintenance

The parts that actually move while the machine is on needs to be clean in order to ensure that nothing interrupts the movement. Regular oiling is required, so that there is no friction while it moves. The X-axis rail needs regular oiling. The Y-axis of the rails consists of bearings so it requires lubrication to save it from premature failure. So, regular lubrication is required in the moving rails so that they can move freely and form beautiful clean cuts.

Cutting Head

The cutting head is from where the laser is emitted. It has a nozzle, and lens inside it. The nozzles get weared out after every use. So it is advisable to change them regularly. You can invest in good quality nozzles to ensure the quality of cuts. You can google “mitsubishi laser spare parts” or “trumpf laser spare parts” and you will find dealers selling those. Installation of the nozzle should be done by certified technicians only as they will know how to fix it properly. If the nozzle is not fixed properly it might damage the machine or the cutting sheet.

Some Maintenance Tips

You must have technicians who can design routine maintenance sheets based on the workload your laser machine has. There are some cleaning processes like cleaning the surroundings, lenses, etc. daily after every use. Also, keep in mind the manufacturer's direction for maintenance as different brands have their own way of dealing with the machine. If you work in shifts then the cleaning processes should be done after completing every shift.

Conclusion

To save laser machines for longer, the way you maintain it matters. The above article explains what parts require maintenance and how you can do it. Every machine has its own instruction manual which should be strictly followed. The maintenance routine depends on how long you will be using the machine. So customize your own maintenance routine from your technician and follow them religiously to keep your machine healthy.

Source: https://altpartsinc.wixsite.com/altpartsinc/single-post/how-to-maintain-a-laser-machine