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How To Adjust The Focus Position During Metal Plate And Tube Fiber Laser Cutting Machine?

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How To Adjust The Focus Position During Metal Plate And Tube Fiber Laser Cutting Machine?

Introduction

Achieving precision in fiber laser cutting is paramount, especially when working with metal plates and tubes. One critical aspect of this process is adjusting the focus position of the laser head. This blog will guide you through the essential steps to ensure optimal focus settings for cutting various metal materials, enhancing both the quality and efficiency of your laser cutting operations.

You may want to know How To Adjust The Focus Point During Metal Plate And Tube Fiber Laser Cutting Machine. This blog offer you the solution.

Definition of focus position: the distance from the focus to the upper surface of the cutting workpiece. The focus position above the workpiece is generally called positive focus, and the focus position below the workpiece is generally called negative focus.

Significance of focus position: to change the focus position is to change the size of the light spot on the surface and inside of the plate. The focal length becomes larger, the light spot becomes thicker, and the cutting seam becomes wider and wider, thus affecting the heating area, cutting seam size and slag discharge capacity.

Focus cutting carbon steel oxygen cutting

That is, the cutting focus is on the workpiece, and the focus is located above the cutting material.

For carbon steel oxygen cutting, it is suitable to use positive focus. The cutting range of the bottom of the workpiece is larger than that of the upper surface, which is conducive to slag removal and oxygen reaching the bottom of the workpiece to participate in full oxidation reaction. In a certain range of focus, the larger the positive focus is, the larger the spot size is, the more sufficient the preheating and heat supplement around the slit is, and the smoother and brighter the carbon steel cutting surface is.

For the 10000 watt laser pulse mode cutting stainless steel thick plate, the positive focus is adopted, the cutting is stable, which is conducive to slag removal and is not easy to reverse blue light;


Understanding Focus in Laser Cutting

Before diving into the adjustment process, it's important to understand the role of focus in laser cutting. The focus position determines the size and intensity of the laser beam's focal spot on the material, directly impacting the cut quality, edge finish, and kerf width.



30mm steel cutting

fiber laser sample (6)

Negative focus cutting - cutting stainless steel

That is, the cutting focus is in the workpiece. In this mode, because the focus is far away from the cutting surface, the cutting range is relatively larger than that of the cutting point on the workpiece surface, and the cutting air flow and temperature need to be large and sufficient.

When cutting stainless steel, it is suitable to use negative focus cutting, the cutting surface is even and the section is good.

For the plate perforation before cutting, because the perforation has a certain height, the negative focus is adopted to ensure the minimum spot size and the maximum energy density at the perforation position, and the deeper the perforation position is, the larger the negative focus is.

Zero focus cutting -- laser cutting thin plate

That is to say, the cutting focus is on the surface of the workpiece. Generally, the cutting surface close to the focus is relatively smooth, while the lower surface far away from the cutting focus is rough. This situation is mainly used for continuous laser cutting thin plate and pulse laser peak power vaporization cutting metal foil.

The choice of positive and negative laser cutting focus is not determined by the material of cutting plate (stainless steel, carbon steel), but by the cutting method (oxidation cutting, melting cutting).

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Steps to Adjust the Focus Position

  1. Preparation

    • Ensure the laser cutting machine is powered off and the laser source is inactive to avoid any hazards.

  2. Material Setup

    • Secure the metal plate or tube in the machine's work area, ensuring it's level and stable.

  3. Accessing the Focus Lens

    • Locate the focus lens on the laser head, which is typically adjustable along the Z-axis.

  4. Initial Focusing

    • Use the manual controls to move the laser head away from the material to prevent damage during the initial focusing process.

  5. Focusing Method

    • Employ the "paper test" method by slowly bringing the lens towards a piece of paper until the laser beam just begins to burn through. This indicates the focal point.

  6. Fine-Tuning

    • Once the initial focus is set, make small adjustments to the Z-axis to refine the focus. Use a microscope or camera attached to the laser head for precise alignment.

  7. Test Cut

    • Perform a test cut on a scrap piece of the same material to evaluate the focus quality. Check for dross, edge quality, and cut depth.

  8. Adjust Based on Results

    • If the cut is not satisfactory, adjust the focus position accordingly. For thicker materials, a slightly defocused beam may be preferable to avoid overheating.

  9. Repeat as Necessary

    • Continue to test and adjust until the desired cut quality is achieved.

  10. Record Settings

    • Once the optimal focus is found, record the Z-axis position for future reference to streamline the setup process.

Special Considerations for Metal Plates and Tubes

  • Metal Plates: For flat materials, focus on achieving a consistent cut depth across the entire surface.

  • Metal Tubes: Adjust the focus to accommodate the curved surface, ensuring the laser head follows the tube's contour.

Conclusion

Properly adjusting the focus position on a fiber laser cutting machine is crucial for high-quality cuts in metal plates and tubes. By following the steps outlined in this blog, operators can ensure precision and efficiency in their laser cutting processes. Remember, the key to achieving the best results lies in careful setup, methodical adjustment, and thorough testing.


If you're looking to enhance your laser cutting capabilities or require personalized support, consult with experienced technicians or the manufacturer's support team. Investing in the right knowledge and expertise can significantly improve the performance and productivity of your fiber laser cutting operations.

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info@xdlasers.com

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