The laser cutting machine for non-metallic materials on production lines is a highly efficient and precise tool. It consists of a laser generator, cutting head, worktable, and motion system. The laser generator, often a CO₂ or fiber laser, emits the cutting beam. The cutting head focuses this beam and uses auxiliary gases to ensure clean cuts. The worktable securely holds materials, while the motion system accurately guides the cutting head. The machine is controlled by a CNC system that interprets cutting patterns and parameters input through the control panel. Auxiliary systems include exhaust for fume removal, cooling to manage heat, and gas supply for optimal cutting conditions. This equipment is essential for industries requiring high-quality, intricate cuts in non-metallic materials, ensuring efficiency and accuracy in production processes.
I. Main Structure of the Equipment
- Laser Generator
- It is the core component of the laser cutting machine. Non-metallic laser cutting machines typically use carbon dioxide lasers (CO₂ lasers) or fiber lasers. CO₂ lasers perform well when cutting non-metallic materials such as plastics, wood, and paper. Their working principle involves electrically exciting the gas medium (mainly carbon dioxide gas) to produce laser light. Fiber lasers, on the other hand, offer higher electro-optical conversion efficiency and a more compact structure, providing stable laser output. They are suitable for precision cutting of various non-metallic materials.
- Cutting Head (Laser Head)
- This is the key part where the laser contacts the material. Inside the cutting head, there is a focusing lens that can focus the laser beam into a tiny spot, generating a high-energy-density focal point that allows non-metallic materials to be cut quickly. The cutting head also has a nozzle, which can spray auxiliary gases (such as nitrogen or air). The role of the auxiliary gas includes blowing away the molten material and smoke generated during the cutting process, preventing them from adhering to the lens of the cutting head. It also helps improve cutting quality by making the cut edges smoother.
- Worktable (Cutting Platform)
- It is used to hold the non-metallic materials to be cut. The worktable generally adopts a vacuum adsorption or mechanical clamping structure. A vacuum adsorption worktable creates negative pressure on its surface to firmly hold the material, which is suitable for flat non-metallic materials such as sheets. A mechanical clamping worktable uses clamps to fix the material and is suitable for irregularly shaped or thicker non-metallic materials. The surface of the worktable is usually specially treated to prevent damage from the laser and to facilitate the removal of cut materials.
- Motion System (Mechanical Transmission System)
- It includes guides, motors, and transmission devices. The guides are the tracks for the cutting head to move and need to have high precision and stability to ensure that the cutting head can move precisely along the predetermined trajectory. Motors drive the cutting head along the guides, generally using high-precision servo motors that can achieve fast and accurate position control. The transmission devices, such as gears and belts, transfer the power from the motor to the cutting head, ensuring that the cutting head can move smoothly and accurately during the cutting process to achieve complex shapes and patterns.
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Model Number | [Specific Model Name] |
| Laser Type | CO₂ Laser/Fiber Laser |
| Laser Power | [X] watts (Adjustable range: [Minimum Power]-[Maximum Power] watts) |
| Cutting Range | Planar size: [Width] mm × [Length] mm<br>Material thickness: Up to [X] mm (depending on material type) |
| Cutting Head Travel Speed | Up to [X] mm/s (adjustable based on material and cutting pattern) |
| Worktable Type | Vacuum adsorption/Mechanical clamping (optional) |
| Worktable Size | [Width] mm × [Length] mm |
| Control Method | Digital control (CNC system) |
| Operation Interface | Touchscreen control panel, supporting multiple languages (optional) |
| Cutting Accuracy | ±[X] mm (depending on cutting conditions) |
| Auxiliary Gas | Nitrogen/Air (optional)<br>Gas pressure adjustment range: [Minimum Pressure]-[Maximum Pressure] bar |
| Cooling System | Water-cooled/Air-cooled (optional) |
| Exhaust and Dust Removal System | Built-in dust extraction device, connection to external exhaust system recommended |
| Power Requirements | [Voltage] V, [Frequency] Hz, [Power] kW |
| Equipment Dimensions (L×W×H) | [Length] mm × [Width] mm × [Height] mm |
| Equipment Weight | Approximately [X] kg |
| Applicable Materials | Wood, plastic, paper, acrylic, leather, and other non-metallic materials |
| Software Compatibility | Supports common CAD/CAM software formats (such as DXF, PLT) |
| Safety Features | Emergency stop button, safety light curtain, protective cover, etc. |
| Warranty Period | [X] years (specific warranty terms subject to the manufacturer) |
II. Control System
- Control Panel (Console)
- This is the interface through which operators interact with the laser cutting machine. The control panel has various buttons, displays, and input devices. Operators can use it to input cutting parameters (such as laser power, cutting speed, and auxiliary gas pressure) and select cutting patterns (by calling up pre-stored graphic files or manually entering cutting paths). The display can show real-time cutting status and equipment fault information, making it convenient for operators to monitor the operation of the equipment.
- Numerical Control System (CNC System)
- It is the brain of the laser cutting machine. The CNC system controls the movement trajectory of the cutting head and the emission of the laser according to the instructions input through the control panel and the cutting pattern. It can decompose complex graphics into a series of simple motion commands for the cutting head to follow. The CNC system also has an automatic path optimization function to improve cutting efficiency by reducing the idle travel time of the cutting head. At the same time, it can seamlessly integrate with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software, facilitating the transition from design to production.
III. Auxiliary Systems
- Exhaust and Dust Removal System
- When cutting non-metallic materials with a laser, a large amount of smoke and dust is generated. The purpose of the exhaust and dust removal system is to promptly remove these harmful substances from the working area to protect the health of operators and the normal operation of the equipment. It usually includes a suction hood, ducts, and a filtration device. The suction hood is installed near the cutting head to effectively capture the smoke and dust generated during the cutting process. The ducts transport the smoke and dust to the filtration device, which uses multiple layers of filtration materials (such as activated carbon and HEPA filters) to remove harmful substances from the smoke and dust before discharging clean air.
- Cooling System
- The laser generator and some key optical components generate heat during operation. The cooling system’s role is to remove this heat to ensure the normal operation of the equipment. The cooling system can use water cooling or air cooling methods. A water-cooled system absorbs heat through circulating cooling water, which is then cooled by a cooling tower or heat exchanger before being recirculated. An air-cooled system uses fans to blow away the heat. This method is relatively simple but may not be as effective as water cooling. The cooling system needs to be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure it works effectively and prevents equipment damage due to overheating.
- Gas Supply System (Auxiliary Gas Supply System)
- It provides auxiliary gas to the cutting head. Depending on the cutting material and requirements, different auxiliary gases can be chosen. For example, using nitrogen as the auxiliary gas can prevent flammable non-metallic materials from catching fire during the cutting process. The gas supply system includes gas storage tanks, gas pipelines, and pressure regulation devices. The gas storage tanks hold the auxiliary gas, the pipelines transport the gas to the cutting head, and the pressure regulation devices can precisely control the gas pressure to meet the requirements of the cutting process.