Why Laser Air Assist Is Important for Laser Cutting
The adoption of air assist for laser cutting and engraving has seen a notable rise in users recently, and for good reason. Laser air assist systems are highly effective and efficient for all laser cutters and engravers, playing a crucial role in preventing burns and chars while also offering long-term cost savings.
Understanding Laser Air Assist
Laser air assist involves directing high-pressure air onto the workpiece during laser cutting or engraving. This can be achieved using pure nitrogen gas, oxygen gas, or pressurized air. While nitrogen and oxygen are commonly used assist gases, pressurized air provides a cost-effective alternative. This article aims to delve deeper into air-assisted laser engraving and its numerous advantages in a laser workshop.
The Role of Laser Engraving Air Assist
Air assist for laser cutters plays a vital role in achieving superior engraving and cutting results. It helps in minimizing heat around the laser head, dissipating heat at the laser-workpiece contact point, removing debris, and preventing workpiece burning.
The Functionality of Laser Air Assist
While the concept of laser air assist may be relatively new to some, machine tool manufacturers began exploring and developing this process as early as 1998. It was discovered that CO2 laser engravers require more than just a light beam for successful engraving; they also need the injection of an assist gas nozzle at the laser head to enhance operations. This combination initiates an exothermic reaction, releasing energy through light or heat. The application of nitrogen, oxygen, or pressurized air facilitates more efficient heat transfer than the laser beam alone, resulting in faster, cleaner, and smoother engraving.
Oxygen was initially the most commonly used gas for air assist in laser engraving, later replaced by nitrogen due to its ability to produce cooler engravings with cleaner edges. However, pressurized air has emerged as a more economical alternative with comparable efficiency to nitrogen and oxygen.
Pressurized air, composed mainly of nitrogen and oxygen, offers a cost-effective solution for air-assisted laser cutting by leveraging the high nitrogen concentration in air while benefiting from a more diluted gas.
Benefits of Laser Air Assist
The use of air assist in laser cutting and engraving has gained popularity over the past two decades, particularly among CO2 laser cutters. Some of the key benefits of air-assisted laser engraving include:
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Profitability: Upgrading to air assist for laser cutting can yield a significant return on investment for businesses using CO2 laser engravers. It expands cutting capabilities, increases maximum cutting thickness, and delivers cleaner cuts with reduced char.
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Cleaner Finishing: Injected air helps dissipate extreme heat from CO2 lasers, reducing or eliminating oxide formation that leads to char or burn marks on laser-cut products.
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Lower Production Costs: Pressurized air is a more cost-effective option compared to nitrogen and oxygen, offering substantial savings in operating costs. Upgrading your OMTech laser air assist is convenient and less costly than expected.
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Improved Efficiency: Air assist can enhance the speed of the engraving process across various materials and thicknesses, leading to quicker results.
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High Edge Quality: While pressurized air may not be ideal for all laser cutting applications, it can improve edge quality for a wide range of materials.
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Increased Safety: Laser air assist reduces the risk of debris causing fires by quickly removing potentially combustible materials from the laser beam's path.
Potential Risks of Not Using Air Assist
Failure to utilize air assist in laser engraving can pose several risks, including debris causing flare-ups and smoke production that can impact the laser's performance and the quality of the workpiece.
Conclusion
In conclusion, air assist is a critical component for CO2 laser engravers, offering an efficient workflow while maintaining a safe work environment. Understanding the importance of air-assisted laser engraving is essential for maximizing the capabilities of laser cutting and engraving equipment. OMTech provides a range of laser engravers equipped with air assist features, ensuring a seamless engraving experience. Feel free to reach out to us as you embark on your engraving journey.
