Comparison of the effects of green and red lasers on an aluminum alloy

In this article, we compare the processing results of green lasers on aluminum alloy materials, analyze the cutting precision and surface quality under different power and speed conditions, and combine specific data to demonstrate the performance advantages of green lasers. This provides practical references for the industrial processing and metal products industries.

Why choose a green laser for machining aluminum alloys?

Because of its light weight and high strength, aluminum alloy is widely used in such areas as the casings of electronic products and automobile parts.But traditional processing methods tend to leave burrs and the precision is not stable.Green lasers have a higher absorption rate for metals, especially for high-reflectivity materials like aluminum alloys.Through actual testing we discovered that green laser cutters are more detailed than infrared laser cutters, especially when cutting thin boards.

Comparing actual data: the effects of power and speed.

The effect of a low-power cut.

Testing was done using 1.5 mm thick 5052 aluminum alloy plates, with the laser power set at 50W and the speed adjusted to 120mm / s.The result was that the cut surface was smoother, but there was a slight residue on the bottom.It is suitable for rough machining, where the surface finish is not a major concern, and the focus is on efficiency. This is the case, for example, with internal structural parts.

High-power fine mode test.

When the power was raised to 100 watts and the speed lowered to 60 mm / s, the problem of slagging was greatly reduced, and the width of the cut was controlled to less than 0.08 mm.It is important to keep an eye on the cooling system, however, as aluminum alloys may oxidize and discolor if the cutting process continues for more than 20 minutes.

These are the three most important questions for users.

Will it burn through the thin plates?

When cutting 0.8-mm aluminum, if the parameters are set right (for instance, 80 watts and 150 mm per second), the edges are clean and there is no deformation.The key is to dynamically adjust the focal position according to the thickness of the material, to avoid over-concentration of energy.

Is the cost of processing high?

The energy consumption of a green laser machine is slightly higher than that of a conventional fiber machine, but the yield of finished products is much higher.As an example, the scrap rate for 1000 phone frames can be reduced from 8 % to 3 % or less, which is more profitable in the long run.

Can you work with an aluminum oxide surface?

Green lasers can still clearly mark anodized aluminum (such as the black case of a laptop) but the frequency must be lowered to avoid carbonizing the coating.The best contrast is achieved with a frequency of 20 kHz and 30 % ink density.

Recommended applications.

If you are primarily machining aluminum alloys 3 mm thick or less (for example, heat sinks or decorative plaques), then the efficiency and precision of the Greenray laser machine is more than enough.For plates thicker than 5 mm, it is recommended to consider higher-power equipment or composite processing.Moreover, in small-scale customized production, the advantage of quickly adjusting parameters on Greenway's machines becomes even clearer, because there is no need to repeat tests and correct errors.