Improvements in laser power sources and the advent of high-pressure, high-flow, assist-gas delivery systems have made oxide-free cutting of stainless steel, aluminium, and mild steel a cost-effective reality. Today's high-pressure cutting options make laser processing increasingly competitive with alternative processes, such as EDM and milling.
High-pressure nitrogen or oxide-free, assist-gas cutting have, in recent years, won favour from job shops and OEMs because of cut quality when inert gas is used in the laser cutting process. Parts processed using high-pressure nitrogen are produced virtually burr-free and do not need secondary grinding operations. Because there is no oxide layer, the resultant edge is a bright, milled quality that makes for better welds.
As laser cutting system capabilities grow, applications for high-pressure nitrogen cutting also expand. Once considered most suitable for stainless steel and aluminium, high-pressure nitrogen cutting is now being applied to light gage mild steel in applications where an oxide layer presents a concern and part quality is important.
We will examine the high-pressure assist gas cutting process, the advantages of high-pressure laser cutting with nitrogen in stainless steel and mild steel applications, and the costs of using nitrogen as an assist gas.
Make the Most of Laser Technology
As more reliable and efficient high-powered lasers are introduced, high-pressure assist-gas cutting is becoming an economical option for mild-steel processing, and continues to provide high part quality and burr-free cutting in stainless steel and aluminium applications.
