How to adjust the beam focus of a laser cutting machine?

The beam focus of a laser cutting machine is achieved by adjusting the position of the focusing lens inside the laser head. During the laser cutting process, it is very critical to ensure that the beam is accurately focused on the surface of the material or a specific depth inside, which will directly affect the quality and efficiency of the cutting.

The following are the general steps for adjusting the beam focus:

1. Preparation:

- Make sure the optical components of the laser cutting machine are clean and free of dust and stains.

- Check whether the laser power is normal and whether there are any abnormal fluctuations.

- Confirm that the focusing lens used matches the material and the cutting effect to be achieved.

2. Manual focus:

- There is a focusing device on the laser head, usually a rotating ring, which can be turned to raise and lower the focusing lens to achieve focus.

- For the first setting or after changing the lens, it is necessary to manually adjust to the approximate focus position.

- Initial focus can be achieved by placing the laser head above the material to be cut and then slowly lowering it until the best focus position is found, which is usually where the laser energy is maximized.

3. Autofocus:

- High-end laser cutting equipment may be equipped with an autofocus system that can automatically adjust the focus position based on a preset program or data detected by the sensor.

- The autofocus system can significantly improve production efficiency and reduce human error.

4. Fine-tuning the focus position:

- Once the initial focus is completed, fine adjustments are required to obtain the best cutting effect.

- You can judge whether the focus needs further adjustment by cutting a small sample and observing the quality of the cut edge.

- If there are traces of burning or melting on the cut edge, it may indicate that the focus is too close to the material surface; if the cut is not thorough or there are burrs on the edge, it may indicate that the focus is too far.

5. Use auxiliary gas:

- Using auxiliary gas (such as oxygen, nitrogen or air) during the cutting process can help blow away the slag in the cutting area and keep the focus clear, thereby improving the consistency of cutting quality.

6. Parameter adjustment:

- Parameters such as laser power, cutting speed, focus position, auxiliary gas pressure, etc. need to be appropriately adjusted according to the material type, thickness and required cutting quality.

- The adjustment of these parameters should be based on experience and cutting tests, and sometimes it is necessary to refer to the recommended parameter table provided by the laser cutting machine supplier.

7. Regular calibration:

- In order to ensure the consistency of cutting quality, the laser cutting machine should be calibrated regularly, including laser power, focus position and mechanical movement accuracy.

- Calibration can be performed according to the manufacturer's recommendations, or the frequency of calibration can be determined according to the specific situation in actual production.

Through the above steps and precautions, the beam focus of the laser cutting machine can be effectively adjusted and the consistency of cutting quality can be ensured. However, it should be noted that different types of laser cutting machines and different applications may require different focusing techniques and parameter adjustments. Therefore, operators should receive professional training and strictly abide by the operating manual and safety specifications of the equipment.