When using a laser cutting machine for processing, the selection of an appropriate laser cutting head is of paramount importance. The market offers a wide variety of options, including metal cutting laser heads, non-metal cutting laser heads, fiber laser cutting heads, CO2 laser heads, auto-focusing laser heads, multifunctional laser heads, and more. Among these numerous choices, only those with a certain understanding of laser cutting heads can identify the optimal selection that aligns with their specific processing requirements.
The cutting head serves as the output channel for the laser beam and auxiliary gases. It focuses the laser beam onto the surface of the workpiece, creating a high-energy-density spot. This localized energy melts or vaporizes the workpiece material, which is then blown away by the auxiliary gas to achieve the cutting process.
The main components of a cutting head include the nozzle, focusing lens, protective lens, sensors, and control box, among others. The nozzle is responsible for controlling the direction and velocity of the gas flow, which significantly impacts cutting quality and speed. The focusing lens concentrates the laser beam into a small spot, affecting cutting capability and precision. The protective lens acts as a barrier against dust and splatter, safeguarding the internal optical path and critical components. It needs to be kept clean and replaced regularly. Using low-quality protective lenses could lead to lens shattering, contaminating the cutting head and potentially damaging core components like the focusing lens and sensors.
Sensors and the control box are utilized to measure and adjust the distance between the cutting head and the workpiece surface, ensuring optimal cutting results. All these components work together in synergy to achieve an efficient and precise cutting process.
For example, fiber laser cutting heads and CO2 laser cutting heads yield distinct processing outcomes.
- Fiber laser cutting heads are suitable for cutting metal materials such as iron, steel, and aluminum. When cutting these materials, using a fiber laser cutting head can result in faster and more stable cutting. With highly focused characteristics, fiber laser cutting also performs well in fine cutting and engraving tasks.
- CO2 laser cutting is appropriate for various non-metal materials like wood, plastic, leather, rubber, and paper. While they are also used for cutting some metal materials, they might be less versatile compared to fiber laser technology in this regard.
Laser cutting heads are indispensable in modern manufacturing industries. As a core component of laser cutting machines, the laser cutting head directly influences cutting quality, precision, speed, and efficiency. Whether in the realm of metal or non-metal materials processing, a high-quality cutting head can bring significant enhancements to the production process.
