A fiber laser cutting machine works with a high-powered laser beam that is focused onto a material to melt and cut them into fine shapes. But why consider fiber laser cutting problems and solutions?
Maybe you have years of experience handling fiber laser cutters or you are just starting to work on it. No matter what, it’s normal for you to face some fiber laser cutting problems at some point. This might have affected the results of your project.
Not just the project, but your it can increase your cost, waste materials, time, and efforts.
So we researched and came up here to talk about fiber laser cutting problems and solutions so that you’ll know how to maintain efficiency and productivity. This for sure, will make you feel proud of yourself!!
Fiber Laser Cutting Problems And Solutions
Cuts Aren’t Clean or Quality
Sometimes when you cut using fiber laser cutting, you’ll notice that the cuts are not very good. They are inconsistent with rough and uneven edges, depths of cuts varying, and sometimes the laser is not cutting all the way through the material.
Check for,
- Thickness of the material
- Incorrect laser settings
- Improper machine calibration
One of these might be the reason. Each material has different requirements related to power, speed, and focus. Therefore inaccurate adjustments can cause these issues.
The solution?
Whenever you start, make it a practice to consult a cutting speed chart. Use scrap materials and tests to find power, speed, and focus.
If possible, try to do it regularly. Check if the machine is well-maintained and always recalibrate the settings, for each type of material and thickness. Get clean, consistent cuts every time.
Laser Beam Not Properly Aligned
Have you noticed laser beams not properly aligning? Which means it will not hit the material at the right angle or position. This can be due to worn-out components, vibrations, or after maintenance.
When it is not aligned properly, you can find poor cutting, uneven edges, or failed cuts.
The solution?
Simple, it’s regular checking. Look for the beam’s alignment and realign it as needed. Moreover, keep the optics clean and well-maintained. So that the laser stays on track and cuts smoothly.
Trouble Cutting Reflective Materials
This can be one of the common fiber laser cutting problems and solutions.
Take a sheet of copper and cut it with a standard laser. Chances are you might see them keep reflecting off the surface instead of cutting through. This makes the machine struggle with keeping the cuts clean. This is because copper is highly reflective and doesn’t absorb laser energy easily.
The same happens for materials like aluminium, brass, and other reflective materials. This can cause potential damage to the laser system as well. Also, high energy light can be reflected when cutting these materials causing safety issues.
The solution?
Adding auxiliary gas can be a better solution. For example, when auxiliary gas cuts metal, the gas reacts with the material under high temperature conditions while increasing speed.
Heat Damage to Materials
You might notice your cuts coming out with burnt edges, gooey melts, or a bit of a warp. Then this might be due to turning up the heat a little too much. This usually happens when the laser power is set higher than needed for the material you’re cutting. When the heat goes beyond what the material can handle, things start to turn up in all the wrong ways.
The solution?
It is best to calibrate laser power to the minimum required level for clean and efficient cutting. You need to work on balancing the temperature difference. Becuase even if you use too little power, then you might have incomplete cuts or need to make multiple passes, which can also lead to heat buildup.
Quick Damage to Cutting Tools
If your laser cutter’s parts are wearing out faster, then it’s going to mess with cutting. This is one of the fiber laser cutting problems and solutions you need to consider. Lenses, nozzles, and mirrors deal with a lot—blazing heat, flying debris, and non-stop laser action. Eventually, all that stress takes a toll, leading to less precise cuts and, in the worst case, even motor failure.
The solution?
Invest in high-quality components. It’s totally worth it.
Choose the ones that are made from materials capable of handling the harsh conditions of laser cutting. They might be expensive, but surely it is going to be a long-term value that reduces the need for frequent replacements.
Look Ahead in Laser Cutting
Laser cutting is used in various application fields of industrial manufacturing. It is especially necessary for industries like aerospace, shipbuilding, automotive, and energy equipment.
As laser cutting tech keeps advancing, one clear goal is cutting thicker metal sheets with steady, reliable performance. This push is driving the rise of high-precision, high-power machines that are transforming sheet metal processing. And when it comes to tricky materials, like highly reflective metals, there’s a good reason to be optimistic—laser technology is evolving fast, and those challenges are becoming easier to manage. To get the best results, it’s important to keep track of how the machine is used daily, fine-tune settings, and learn from experience.
Hope you now have an idea on fiber laser cutting problems and solutions. So what’s next?
Cut Smarter. Cut Faster. Cut with Cesar CNC. Upgrade your work with high-performance fiber laser cutting machines built for accuracy, power, and durability. No matter the problem, Cesar CNC has the solution.
🔧 Get in touch now and see how our machines can transform your cutting process!
