Metal vs Plastic Materials: Different Laser Safety Parameters for Different Materials

The software provides a comparison of the safety parameters for laser processing of metals and plastics, including material characteristics, power adjustment, and speed optimization. This helps operators avoid safety hazards and improve processing efficiency.The company has mastered the parameters required for processing various materials and has ensured that its machines operate safely and stably.

Why are the laser parameters different for metals and plastics?

In other words, metal and plastic are two completely different materials.Metal is rigid and absorbs laser light poorly, so it requires higher power to cut. Plastic, on the other hand, can be soft and easy to melt, and too much power can cause it to burn or even catch fire.It's like using the same knife to cut a steak and tofu-you would certainly have to adjust the strength of your cut.

The influence of material properties on laser parameters.

The "stubborn" nature of metal.

Metal materials, for example stainless steel and aluminum, usually require high power (over 1000 watts) and slow speed.However, with highly reflective materials like aluminum, if the laser's power is too high, the laser beam may reflect and damage the equipment. In this case, a coating needs to be added to the material, or the focus needs to be adjusted.

A plastic's "delicacy.

PVC and acrylic plastics can be cut with low-power lasers (200-400 watts).But with materials like PVC, which contains chlorine, the laser releases toxic fumes. At that point, you have to not only lower the power, but also make sure that the workshop is well ventilated. Otherwise, the health risks are not small.

Critical parameter setting techniques.

Power and speed.

When cutting 3mm stainless steel, we recommend starting at 1200W and 15mm / s, and then fine-tuning the speed based on the smoothness of the edge.As for plastics, for example, 5mm acrylic, a 400W power setting with a 25mm / s speed is a safer bet.Remember: First use scraps as test material. Don't start by cutting expensive materials!

Don't be careless about the focal point.

When cutting metal, the laser's focal point must be close to the surface, so the energy is concentrated. For plastics, on the other hand, the focal point should be raised 1 or 2 millimeters, to avoid excessive melting.This detail is easily overlooked, and the result is either that the wood is not cut through or that the cut is ragged.

A checklist of things to do.

Metalworking: Safety goggles, fire blanket.

• Three items for plastic processing: ventilation system, anti-toxic mask, temperature control monitor.

• Regularly inspect the lens and filter: Metal fragments and plastic dust can shorten the equipment's life.

Common tips for avoiding car accidents.

Last week a friend told me about a guy who cut a plastic sheet using the parameters for cutting metal, and ended up with black smoke and a fire alarm.If this happens, it means that either the machine has not switched over to the correct parameters, or the material has been misidentified.He suggests that there should be a chart of material parameters attached to the equipment, and that when changing materials, the chart should be checked like a pilot's checklist before takeoff.

Finally, one last word of advice: Don't rely too much on the specifications given by manufacturers! The humidity of the environment and the batch of materials used can both affect the results.Every time you change to a new material, you should do a step test (for example, increasing power by 10 %) to be on the safe side. Although this takes some time, it's better than ruining a piece of work or even causing an accident.