Mild Steel (MS) is one of the most famous and versatile materials in multiple industries, including construction, auto, furniture and manufacturing. MS Laser Cutting is where a laser cutting machine uses a powerful laser beam to accurately cut MS exactly into desired shapes and designs. When procedures are followed correctly, it is a fast, clean and effective manner to accurately cut mild steel, but it is still recommended to keep some of the common best practices in mind when aiming for the right result from MS Laser Cutting.
Sometimes you only need five easy tips to make sure your cuts are smooth and accurate every time.
What is MS Laser Cutting?
MS Laser Cutting uses a laser beam to cut mild steel (which is low-carbon steel) into different shapes or sizes. The laser beam used is depending on the power of machine that burns the metal along the line making smooth and clean edges with very little finishing.
Tips to Get Best Outcomes from MS Laser Cutting
1. Choosing the Right Laser Power
If your laser power is too low not only may the cut not go through properly but also the cut quality will be affected. If you have too much laser power you may burn the material.
Always check recommended laser settings for your thickness of the material.
Do not use maximum laser power unless it is absolutely necessary, this will add unnecessary wear on machine parts and reduce machine life.
Tip: Run a small test cut before you start the job to ensure the correct laser power.
2. Clean the Lens and Mirrors
The lens and mirrors that are used for the cutting can directly focus on laser beam . If the lens and mirrors are dusty or dirty, they will absorb laser beam energy, and the cutting process will lose power and cut unevenly.
Why is cleaning vital?
- Dirty optics slow cutting speeds.
- The cut edges may appear rough.
- Overheated or damaged part is very necessary to remove from the capital.
3. Use the correct cut speed
The cut finish of your mild steel components will be ruined either by cutting too fast, or too slow. The correct cut speed will give you a clean edge, as well as prevent wastage.
Things to keep in mind:
- Fast cutting: due to fast cutting of metal, it becomes uneven and left around the edges
- Cutting too slow: The metal can start to become over heated leaving behind burn marks and/or discoloured.
- With a constant and correct speed you mitigate the amount of rework done, with increased productivity.
Tip: Test speed on scrap MS before large production runs.
4. Select the right Assist Gas
Assisted gases may include oxygen or nitrogen that helps in improving the quality of edge and are used in MS Laser Cutting to blow molten metal away and produce a clean cut.
Oxygen is recommended for thicker sheets or cutting at higher speeds as it will oxidize the metal and could leave oxidation marks.
Nitrogen will provide the cleanest finish for cuts without oxidation, but may take longer and be more costly. Choose the appropriate assist gas depending on the type of project and/or budget.
Tip: For decorative or high-finish items, you would typically choose nitrogen.
5. Make Sure to Keep the Machines Maintained!
Laser cutting machines, like any machine, require maintenance to get their best performance. During maintenance you should look at worn parts, loose connections, odd noises, and even worn consumables like nozzles and filters – which will need changing too.
A properly maintained laser cutting machine will enable a more accurate seam and cut, save you time, and help you avoid breaks downs.
Final Thoughts
MS Laser Cutting is a really powerful technology for precise, smooth and clean cutting if used properly. Following the suggestions throughout this series will put you on the right path to professional quality results for the future through appropriate power, parts and machine cleanliness, speed and gas choice, and machine maintenance.
If you are looking to find the best MS Laser cutting machine, then Madaan Lasertech is your best choice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Can MS Laser Cutting cut thick steel?
Ans. Yes, it can cut thick mild steel, but you need higher laser power, and correct settings to get a clean finish.
Q2. Which gas is better for MS Laser Cutting – oxygen or nitrogen?
Ans. For cutting thick sheets fast, oxygen is better, while nitrogen will give a cleaner, oxide free edge, which is better for finer work.
Q3. How can a laser cutting machine produce smooth edges?
Ans. Using the accurate laser power and correct speed of cutting helps in best edge quality.
Q4. When should I maintain my laser cutting machine?
Ans. Regular cleaning should be performed daily and full service as per the manufacturer’s service schedule.