A machine for laser cutting requires several things to help it work effectively in its setting. One of the objects it needs is a computer system to operate. Computer aided design (CAD) software is needed as is vector graphical software. CAD software data will inform the laser what to perform. Proper training is also needed for staff who will be operating the laser cutter. Laser cutters additionally need to be properly maintained and have a myriad of configurations, or setups that they can have.
Laser Cutter Setup Options
There are several setups, or configuration choices for lasers. The flying optic setup has an X and Y axis and a Z axis. The object being cut will stay in place. Some laser cutters of the flatbed variety allow for the optics to stay static but the material being cut will change positions. Another setup is a laser cutter with flying optics and the cutting surface with the material being cut moves too. This is known as a hybrid of the previous two configurations. The hybrid machine cannot perform high-speed projects but can handle work envelopes that are large, with some machines handling jobs with an over-100-foot work envelope. There are also laser cutting machines that are 5-axis 3D cutters. This is a usual machine used in slicing sheet metal such as for producing automobile prototypes. Its work envelope may be extremely wide and cover the size of an entire automobile. The fast-growing segment of the industry is in the articulated robots with 6-axis 3D laser machining capabilities. This also is used primarily in the industry producing automobiles. In this configuration, the robot with 6 axes is paired with an yttrium-aluminum garnet (YAG) laser. The beam has fiber optic beam delivery. The benefit of the delivery of a fiber optic beam is the consistent optical-path length. Two types of fiber optics are used, step-index and gradient-index fibers. Gradient-index tolerates for better beam focus.
Training
Users will need to be instructed in several areas such as in basic usage of the laser cutter as well as methods to input parameters for cutting into the numerical controller. The user should also know how to use programs for CAD and how they interact with the laser cutter. The better a user knows how to manipulate the machine and its components, the more profitable the company will be as the user will manage the work flow moving smoothly and speedily. Other software training in quality management software and Material Requirements Planning (MRP) that handles work flow management is also useful. Quality management software can advance work flow through the use of Corrective Action Requests (CARs) and Corrective Action Notifications (CANs) where the software will manage problems and tell the proper users so the issue can be fixed. Options for training include interactive multimedia instruction, classroom and lab instruction, and online training. Operator and maintenance instruction are often available to laser cutter customers by the vendor. Safety issues should also be reviewed.
Maintenance
One laser cutter vendor suggests a machine wipe-down daily. The cutting beds and dust collectors can be cleaned out with a shop vacuum and once a week a citrus cleaner should be used to wipe the cabinetry off. Clean the encoder strip with alcohol only. Most parts on a laser cutter will not wear down but cutting grills will wear down and need to be replaced usually every six months. Other components should only be replaced if needed. Lenses and other optics should be checked regularly and kept clean. By keeping all parts of the laser cutter clean and honed, it will operate at its optimum speed.
Marc Anderes is the VP of Operations of Maloya Laser that is dedicated to Metal Manufacturing and <A href=”http://www.MaloyaLaser.com”>Laser Cutting</a> with advanced <A href=”http://www.maloyalaser.com/capabilities_equipment.php”>laser technologies</a>, for aerospace, medical, machinery, scientific and transportation needs.
