Laser Cutting Sheet Metal 1

[kdill3]

We laser cut various size parts from HR sheet metal. The problem we are having is when removing small parts form a cut sheet. We have to tab the parts (.020 - .040) to keep them from tipping up and causing the torch head to crash. However, this causes a safety issue when the operator has to shake the cut sheet to get the parts to drop out, sometimes having to tap them with a hammer. I am trying to find a system that will get the parts out without the operator having to continually shake cut sheets and exposing himself to shoulder injury. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[ischgl99]

I don't know anything about laser cutting, so my idea might be totally off base.

Is the problem due to the heat all on one side at the end of the cut causing it to rise? Could you leave the tabs in for the main cut to prevent it from tipping and then go back and cut out the tabs with the laser?

 

[MikeHalloran]

Make the tab more delicate, e.g. .003" to .007", so the operator has to merely lift the sheet, not shake it.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[GITRDone]

I have had the same problem as you. The solution is very simple. seeing as how you have to replace the grates after awhile of cutting from slag build up. Have you ever given thought of redesiging you slats into a different configuation and maybe even changing the slat material that you cut them out of. You can change your slats around to fit your needs that way. I have done many different layouts that we have needed in the past. I have even had to go so far as redesinging the bed. The only major drawback is the slag build up can increase because of a tighter spacing.

 

[jimbobk1]

Are the parts all different? If so, do you run the same nest?
I've found that the thicker the part, the smaller the tab, although that frequently raises other problems.
Can you grain-constrain your parts? If they're long enough to span 3 slats, then they may not tip even if you don't tab them.

"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside a dog, it's too dark to read." - G. Marx

 

[MacGyverS2000]

mbensema has the right solution. The lifting is due to concentrated heat on one side, and the easiest way is to go back and cut the tabs after the majority of material has been removed.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[hendersdc]

Amada makes some lasers that have a door in the table that will open after a part is cut out allowing it to fall into a bin. It's a time consuming process and we generally go with tabs and shaking the parts out. The operator can be doing this as the next blank is being cut.