Laser Cutting Aluminum

[hiker27]

We have a 2000 watt Mitsubish Laser, we cut ss. Alu and steel. on aluminun we use sheet with a laser film. On the thinner materials this works fine. On 3/16" and thicker, it bubbles or blows the paper. Are there conditions we can use so this does not happen. Our alternative is to use dish soap on the material, this is not cost effective.

 

[Foostrap]

You need to lower the gas pressure as much as you can. Using a smaller nozzle should also help. However, this may affect the cut quality. If your programming software allows it, preburn the piercing point only. That works in some cases.
If that doesn't help, you need to preburn the plastic on the whole cutting profile (low power, cutting head higher above the plastic) so it will stick to the alu. Your programming software or a machine option should allow you to do that.

 

[DConR]

Did you know Mitsubishi offers free phone support as long as you are registered in the system(630 616 5900)? You can try the 9006 pierce routine (I will list it below). It will move the Z axis up, burn a hole in the film, come down and pierce through the material and then cut. You have to control the Z axis position with the "Evasion Height" on the height sensor parameter page. You also need to have the 9009 pierce pre-installed. (note: this will only work if you have a static height sensor)

%
O9006(PVC-STAINLESS-PRCE)
M199M80
S500T1000M86G4X.1
M87
M98P9009
M99
%

%
O9009(THIN-NO-SPOON-LIF)
M101M198
M120
M#501M99
%