A fiber laser cutting machine works by converting electrical energy into a high-intensity laser beam, which is then focused to melt, vaporize, or blow away metal materials—delivering precise, clean cuts. At RAYMAX, our fiber laser cutting machines are engineered with advanced components and intuitive controls to optimize this process, making them suitable for automotive, aviation, shipbuilding, and power industries. Below is a detailed breakdown of the working principle, tailored to our machine’s design and real-world applications. Step 1: Laser Generation The process begins with the laser source—a key component in our machines, typically sourced from leading manufacturers like IPG. Inside the laser source, diodes emit light at a specific wavelength (1064nm, ideal for cutting metals) into a fiber optic cable. The fiber optic cable amplifies the light using rare-earth elements (e.g., ytterbium), creating a high-power laser beam (ranging from 1000W to 6000W in our models). For example, our 3000W machine generates a beam with enough energy to cut 12mm thick carbon steel—used in automotive chassis components—while our 6000W model produces a beam for 20mm steel plates in shipbuilding. Step 2: Beam Transmission & Focusing The amplified laser beam travels through a series of mirrors and a cutting head—a precision component that focuses the beam into a tiny spot (as small as 0.1mm in diameter). Our cutting heads use high-quality lenses (made from zinc selenide) to ensure the beam stays focused even at high cutting speeds. The cutting head is mounted on a servo-driven gantry system, which moves along the X, Y, and Z axes with ±0.03mm accuracy—critical for aviation clients cutting intricate aluminum alloy parts (e.g., aircraft wing brackets) with tight tolerances. Step 3: Material Interaction & Cutting When the focused laser beam hits the metal sheet (e.g., carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum), it rapidly heats the material to its melting or vaporization point (up to 3000°C for steel). To remove the molten material and create a clean cut, our machines use assist gas—compressed air, oxygen, or nitrogen—delivered through a small nozzle in the cutting head. The choice of gas depends on the material: - Oxygen: Used for cutting carbon steel (thicker than 6mm). It reacts with the steel to create additional heat, accelerating the cutting process and leaving a slightly oxidized edge (acceptable for automotive chassis parts). - Nitrogen: Used for stainless steel and aluminum (aviation or food industry components). It cools the material and prevents oxidation, leaving a smooth, burr-free edge that requires no secondary finishing. - Compressed Air: A cost-effective option for thin materials (0.5-3mm) in light industry (e.g., electrical enclosure panels). For example, our 2000W fiber laser cutting machine uses nitrogen to cut 5mm aluminum sheets for an aviation client, producing edges with Ra 1.6μm surface finish—eliminating the need for grinding or polishing. Step 4: CNC Control & Automation The entire process is managed by a CNC control system (Siemens or Fanuc), which interprets design files (e.g., DXF, DWG) and controls the gantry, laser power, assist gas pressure, and cutting speed. Our machines feature nesting software that optimizes the layout of parts on the metal sheet—reducing material waste by up to 15% for automotive clients cutting multiple chassis components from one sheet. For high-volume production, automatic feeding systems load/unload sheets, allowing the machine to run 24/7— a Western European automotive client uses this to cut 10,000+ door panels monthly with minimal labor. Step 5: Quality Assurance Our fiber laser cutting machines include built-in quality checks: sensors monitor beam intensity, assist gas pressure, and cutting speed, alerting operators to deviations (e.g., low gas pressure that could cause a rough cut). For critical applications like aviation, we also offer optional laser vision systems that inspect cuts in real time—ensuring every part meets ±0.05mm accuracy requirements. In summary, RAYMAX’s fiber laser cutting machines combine advanced laser technology, precise motion control, and industry-specific features to deliver efficient, high-quality cuts across diverse materials and industries. Whether you’re cutting thin aluminum for aviation or thick steel for shipbuilding, the working principle is optimized to meet your production needs.