Highly Reflective Materials : Laser Cutting for Sheet Metal Shops
Highly Reflective Materials,Aluminum, copper, and brass are common in sheet metal work—but their high reflectivity risks damaging laser equipment or ruining parts. Here’s a concise checklist to cut safely and efficiently:
1. Reflective Materials Gear Up Right
- Use anti-reflection laser heads (coated or dual-path designs) to block harmful reflected light.
- Choose fiber lasers (1064nm wavelength) over CO₂ lasers—better absorption for most high-reflective metals.
- Ensure your machine has safety features: reflected light detection and overcurrent protection.
2. Reflective Materials Tweak Process Settings
- Lower power (10%-20% less than cutting carbon steel) and slow speed (60%-80% of carbon steel speed) to avoid over-melting.
- Shift the laser focus up 0.5-1mm (not on the material surface) to reduce reflection back to the head.
- Pick the right gas: Nitrogen (0.8-1.2MPa) for aluminum (prevents oxidation); oxygen (0.5-0.8MPa) for copper (boosts heat absorption). Use ≥99.99% pure gas.
3. Prep Materials & Operate Safely
- Clean surfaces: Wipe oil/oxide layers with alcohol (dirty surfaces lower laser absorption).
- Secure workpieces tightly with fixtures—no shaking = no beam deviation.
- Never leave the machine unattended. Wear laser safety goggles; mark the area as restricted.
4. Reflective Materials Maintain Regularly
- After cutting: Blow dust off the laser head/lenses with compressed air. Wipe lenses weekly with dedicated cleaner.
- Calibrate focus and power quarterly (based on material thickness).
- For reflection-caused faults (e.g., cracked lenses), call the manufacturer—don’t DIY repair.
Final Tip: Stick to “right gear + smart settings + safe ops”—it cuts risks and saves costs. Got questions? Drop a comment!
Read more about sheet metal optimization tips
more photos：https://fuleimetal.com/acf-product/industrial-grade-aluminum-library-book-cart/
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