How to deal with material warpage caused by laser cutting?

2024-03-28 17:17:04

During the laser cutting process, the high energy of the laser beam can cause local heating of the material, which in turn triggers thermal expansion, while uneven cooling may cause the material to shrink unevenly, ultimately causing the material to warp. This problem is particularly prominent for thin sheet materials or long strip materials.

 

Optimize cutting parameters

Adjust parameters such as cutting speed, power and frequency to reduce the heat input of the laser to the material and reduce the impact of thermal expansion and thermal contraction on the material. Typically, reducing cutting speed and power and increasing frequency can effectively reduce the risk of material warping.


Use gas-assisted cooling

Using a gas injection system, such as nitrogen or oxygen, during the cutting process can help reduce the temperature of the cutting area and speed up cooling, thereby reducing the extent of material warping. A good cooling system can effectively slow down the thermal shrinkage of materials and reduce the risk of warping.


Proper support and clamping

It is especially important to use appropriate clamps and supports to hold the material while cutting, especially if it is thin sheet material or long strips of material. Good support and clamping can reduce material deformation and warping during cutting.


Control cutting path

Optimizing the cutting path to avoid excessive heat-affected areas on the material can reduce the impact of thermal expansion and contraction on the material. Proper cutting paths can reduce the risk of warping.

Adopt post-processing technology


After cutting is complete, appropriate post-processing processes, such as annealing or stretching, can help mitigate or correct material warping problems caused by laser cutting. Post-processing processes enable materials to return to their original shape and properties.


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