In the metal sheet laser cutting industry, different materials have varying physical properties, thermal conductivity, reflectivity, melting point, oxidation reaction, and surface condition, resulting in entirely different cutting processes.

The same set of parameters may produce excellent cutting quality on one material, but may lead to the following issues on another:

- Severe burrs

- Slag buildup

- Scorched edges

- Incomplete cut

- Broken holes

- Excessively wide kerf

- Surface yellowing

- Reflective damage to the lens

- Temperature deformation

- Perforation failure

- Skewed cut

Therefore, developing specialized processes for different sheet materials is crucial for laser cutting companies to improve processing quality and efficiency.

1. Key Factors Affecting Metal Sheet Laser Cutting

The cutting effect of different sheet metals is mainly affected by the following factors:

2. Laser Cutting Techniques for Carbon Steel Plates

1) Characteristics of Carbon Steel Cutting

Carbon steel is one of the most widely used materials in metal sheet laser cutting.

Characteristics:

• High laser absorption rate

• Good cutting stability

• Low cost

• Fast cutting speed

• Strong ability for thick plates

• Suitable for oxygen cutting

Widely used in:

• Steel structures

• Chassis and cabinets

• Engineering machinery

• Agricultural machinery

• Power equipment

• Construction industry

• Heavy industry

2) Common Problems in Carbon Steel Cutting

Slag Adhesion at the Lower End

Causes:

• Insufficient gas pressure

• Incorrect focus

• Insufficient power

• Excessive speed

• Nose misalignment

Solutions:

• Increase oxygen purity

• Adjust focus downwards

• Increase auxiliary gas pressure

• Reduce cutting speed

• Correct nozzle center

Blackening of the Cut

Causes:

• Low oxygen purity

• Rusting of the plate

• Unreasonable cutting speed

• Heat accumulation

Solutions:

• Use high-purity oxygen

• Clean the surface of the plate

• Optimize power and speed matching

Incomplete Cutting of Thick Plates

Causes:

• Insufficient laser power

• Drilling failure

• Incorrect focus position

• Insufficient airflow slag removal

Optimization methods:

• Use a high-power laser

• Increase progressive drilling

• Increase air pressure

• Use a large-diameter nozzle

3) Carbon Steel Cutting Techniques

Thin Plate High-Speed Cutting Techniques

Suitable for:

• 1mm

• 2mm

• 3mm

• 4mm

Core techniques:

• Increase acceleration

• Use flying cut

• Use a small nozzle

• Slightly shift focus upwards

• Maintain high-speed airflow

Medium-Thick Plate Stable Cutting Techniques

Suitable for:

• 6mm

• 8mm

• 10mm

• 12mm

Key points:

• Stable drilling

• Prevent slag buildup

• Ensure perpendicularity

• Control heat input

Ultra-Thick Plate Cutting Techniques

Suitable for:

• 20mm and above

• 30mm and above

• 40mm and above

Techniques:

• Multi-stage drilling

• Stepped power increase

• Large nozzle

• Reduce speed

• Enhance slag removal

• Keep nozzle clean

3. Stainless Steel Laser Cutting Techniques

1) Characteristics of Stainless Steel Cutting

Stainless steel has the characteristics of high reflectivity, high toughness, and high corrosion resistance.

Main difficulties:

• Easy to slag

• Easy to yellow

• Easy to produce burrs

• Obvious thermal deformation

• High requirements for gas

Commonly used:

• High-pressure nitrogen cutting

2) Stainless Steel Cutting Techniques

Burr-free cutting technique

Key:

• Precise focus

• High nitrogen purity

• Stable nozzle height

• Coaxial airflow

Mirror-finish cutting technique

Requirements:

• High-purity nitrogen

• High-speed cutting

• Low heat input

• Precise power control

Anti-yellowing technique

Solutions:

• Increase nitrogen purity

• Reduce heat accumulation

• Optimize cutting path

• Increase heat dissipation capacity

4. Laser Cutting Techniques for Aluminum Plates

1) Challenges in Cutting Aluminum Plates

Aluminum plates are highly reflective materials.

Main problems:

• Severe reflection

• Easily damages the laser

• Fast melting speed

• Easily causes hole breakage

• Easily causes slag buildup

• Fast heat diffusion

1) Core Techniques for Cutting Aluminum Plates

Using High-Brightness Cutting Process

High-brightness cutting can reduce:

• Rough cross-section

• Slag buildup at the bottom

• Grayed cross-section

Drilling Control Techniques

Drilling aluminum plates is difficult.

Techniques:

• Low-power starting

• Step-by-step power increase

• Controlling heat accumulation

• Using progressive drilling

Anti-reflection Techniques

Measures:

• Use an anti-reflective laser

• Keep the lens clean

• Prevent backlighting

• Use a dedicated cutting head

5. Copper Plate Laser Cutting Techniques

1) Characteristics of Copper Plate Cutting

Copper Material:

• Extremely high reflectivity

• Extremely high thermal conductivity

• High melting point

Therefore, cutting is extremely difficult.

2) Copper Plate Cutting Techniques

High-Power Rapid Cutting

Principles:

• Avoid heat accumulation

• Rapid melting

• Increase absorption efficiency

Techniques to Reduce Backlighting

Key:

• High-reflectivity protection module

• Dedicated cutting head

• High-stability laser

6. Laser Cutting Techniques for Galvanized Steel Sheets

1) Characteristics of Galvanized Steel Sheets

Galvanized steel sheets have a zinc layer on their surface.

Problems:

• Prone to flaking

• Prone to producing smoke and dust

• Prone to slag buildup

• Unstable edges

2) Cutting Techniques

- Controlling Heat Input

To avoid excessive burning of the zinc layer.

- Improving Airflow Stability

To ensure rapid slag removal.

- Preventing Zinc Layer Burn-off

Techniques:

• Increase speed

• Reduce pauses

• Optimize corner cutting processes

7. Brass Cutting Techniques

Brass is a highly reflective material.

Cutting Challenges:

• Severe reflection

• Prone to backlighting

• Prone to burr formation

Techniques:

• Use a high-power fiber laser

• Use nitrogen-assisted cutting

• Reduce heat buildup

• Maintain high-stability focus

8. Copper Cutting Techniques

Copper has extremely high thermal conductivity.

Processing Focus:

• High energy density

• Rapid piercing

• Backlight protection

• Maintain high pressure

9. Cutting Techniques for Highly Reflective Materials

Highly reflective materials include:

• Aluminum

• Copper

• Brass

• Mirror-finish stainless steel

Core Issues:

• Laser reflection

• Optical damage

• Unstable cutting

Solutions:

• High-reflectivity protection system

• Intelligent power control

• Dynamic focusing

• High-frequency stable cutting

10. Cutting Techniques for Plates of Different Thicknesses

1) Thin Plate Cutting Techniques

Characteristics:

• Extremely fast

• Easy to burn edges

• Easy to deform

Techniques:

• High-speed cutting

• Small focal point

• High acceleration

• Low heat input

2) Medium Plate Cutting Techniques

Key Points:

• Balancing speed and quality

• Controlling the perpendicularity of the cut surface

• Preventing slag buildup

3) Thick Plate Cutting Techniques

Key Points:

• Strong slag removal

• Stable perforation

• Reduce heat accumulation

• Prevent secondary melting

11. Coated Plate Cutting Techniques

Coated plates are commonly found in:

• Decoration industry

• Home appliance industry

• Stainless steel decorative plates

Difficulties:

• Coverage burn-off

• Slag contamination

• Surface scratches

Techniques:

• Maintaining the integrity of the coating

• Using low heat input

• Protecting the surface

• Using clean gas

12. Mirror Plate Cutting Techniques

Mirror plates have extremely strong reflectivity.

Requirements:

• High-stability laser

• Precise focus

• High-purity gas

• Prevention of scratches

13. Patterned Plate Cutting Techniques

The patterned plate surface is uneven.

Problems:

• Unstable focus

• Incomplete cuts in some areas

• Increased spatter

Solutions:

• Automatic focusing

• Increased power margin

• Reduced speed

14. Cutting Quality Optimization Techniques

1) Burr Prevention Techniques

Key:

• Precise focus

• Stable air pressure

• Coaxial nozzle

• Parameter matching

2) Slag Prevention Techniques

Focus:

• Improve slag removal capacity

• Control melting state

• Optimize cutting speed

3) Edge Burn Prevention Techniques

Measures:

• Reduce heat input

• Increase speed

• Optimize cutting path

15. Gas Selection for Different Materials

16. Selection of Nozzles Made of Different Materials

17. Focusing Techniques for Different Materials

Positive Focus

Suitable for:

- Thin plates

- High-speed cutting

Negative Focus

Suitable for:

- Thick plates

- Oxygen cutting of carbon steel

Dynamic Focusing

Suitable for:

- Mixed-thickness cutting

- Automated processing

- High-precision cutting

18. Automated Cutting Process Techniques

Modern metal sheet laser cutting has gradually entered the era of:

- Automatic loading and unloading

- Automatic table changing

- Automatic sorting

- Intelligent layout

- Intelligent process database

- Unmanned production

Core requirements:

- Stable parameters

- Standardized processes

- Intelligent compensation

- Automatic detection

19. Future Trends in Laser Cutting Technology

Future cutting technology will develop in the following directions:

- Ultra-high power

- AI intelligent parameter adjustment

- Adaptive cutting

- Unmanned factories

- High precision and high speed

- Intelligent visual inspection

- Digital process database

- Cloud-based process sharing

The future of laser cutting will no longer be just about equipment competition, but a comprehensive competition of "process database + intelligent algorithm + automation system".

20. Summary

Metal sheet laser cutting of different materials is not simply a matter of changing power and speed.

It involves:

• Optics

• Thermal engineering

• Fluid dynamics

• Materials science

• Automation control

• Numerical control technology

• Intelligent processes

Only by truly understanding the essence of cutting different materials can we achieve:

• Higher cutting quality

• Higher processing efficiency

• Lower production costs

• More stable mass production

• Higher equipment utilization

In the future era of intelligent manufacturing, whoever possesses stronger process capabilities will have stronger market competitiveness.

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