.003 Brass

[fab3]

A customer wants our shop to cut some small parts out of .003" brass. I have no clue where to start with power settings and feed rate, etc. I am also curious if brass is reflective like copper. Laser power is 1500 watts, any ideas or warnings would be helpful.

 

[HenryRollins]

Are you doing full sheets? You may have to create a frame to support the material because the gas pressure will vibrate the sheet. You may want to shut off material sensing in order to cut it. You may also wish to consider coating the material with Malox and let it dry for about 5 minutes. The Malox will help minimize back reflection during the pierce. use Nitrogen as an assist gas (3-6 bar)and a starting feed rate of 8,000 to 10,000 mm per minute (you can always go faster if you can).
-HR

 

[fab3]

Thanks for the advice Henry. I'm not worried about supporting the material, but I am curious if substituting nitrogen for shop air is a possibility.

 

[HenryRollins]

I would have to look to see if anyone I know of is using shop air over nitrogen with brass. I am very hesitant to say yes to that.