Common auxiliary tools for fiber laser cutting machines
- Common tools and their use
(1) Nozzle
The nozzle is an indispensable tool in the laser cutting process. When cutting sheets of different materials and thicknesses, the nozzle needs to be replaced frequently.
When replacing the nozzle, please note: turn counterclockwise (left) to tighten, and turn clockwise (right) to loosen.
When tightening, if it is difficult to screw it on, do not force it, as this may damage the nozzle and the ceramic ring thread.
(2) Grabbing tool
After the laser cutting process is completed, the workpiece still has the high temperature of cutting. When picking up the workpiece, you need to use auxiliary tools to isolate the high temperature.
The surface temperature of the workpiece is linearly related to the thickness. As the thickness increases, the temperature will also increase.
During the laser cutting process, whether it is moving sheets or picking up workpieces, protective gloves must be worn, and the protective hands must be made of linen or other materials, as shown in Figure 1.10. Do not touch the workpiece while wearing silk gloves, as this may cause secondary burns. Also, do not touch the workpiece that has just been cut with bare hands.
When processing carbon steel, the best tool for grabbing the workpiece is a magnet. After processing, the workpiece can be adsorbed by the magnet and picked up for viewing or placement. This method has certain requirements for the thickness of the carbon steel plate. If the size and thickness of the workpiece are too large, the portable magnetic suction tool cannot meet the use requirements; in the processing of large production lines, large magnetic adsorption devices are used to transport the workpiece.
When processing other materials such as stainless steel, if the plate thickness is thin, protective gloves can be used to isolate heat transfer. For safety reasons, it is best to let it stand for a while and try to pick it up with protective gloves after the workpiece cools down.
(3) Vernier caliper
Vernier caliper is a commonly used instrument for measuring length in industry. It consists of a ruler and a vernier that can slide on the ruler. Laser cutting involves different industries and has corresponding precision requirements for cutting workpieces. After processing, it is generally necessary to use a vernier caliper to measure and check whether process optimization is required.
Before using the vernier caliper, you need to wipe the measuring jaws clean with a soft cloth, bring them together, and check whether the zero scale lines of the vernier and the main ruler are aligned. If they are aligned, you can measure; if they are not aligned, you need to record the zero error. The zero scale line on the right side of the zero scale of the ruler is called a positive zero error, and the zero scale line on the left side of the zero scale of the ruler is called a negative zero error (this regulation method is consistent with the regulation of the number axis, the origin is positive to the right and negative to the left of the origin). When measuring, hold the ruler with your right hand, move the vernier with your thumb, and hold the object with the outer diameter (or inner diameter) to be measured in your left hand, so that the object to be measured is located between the outer measuring jaws. When it is tightly attached to the measuring jaws, you can read the number. When measuring the outer dimensions of a part, the line connecting the measuring surfaces on both sides of the caliper should be perpendicular to the measured surface and cannot be skewed. When measuring, you should first gently shake the caliper and put it in a vertical position. Otherwise, the measurement result will be larger than the actual size. Then open the movable jaws of the caliper so that the jaws can freely fit into the workpiece. Put the part against the fixed jaws, then move the ruler frame and use slight pressure to make the movable jaws contact the part. If the caliper has a micro-motion device, you can tighten the fixing screws on the micro-motion device at this time, and then turn the adjustment nut to make the jaws contact the part and read the size. Do not force the caliper to fit the part after adjusting the two jaws of the caliper to be close to or even smaller than the measured size. Doing so will deform the jaws, cause the caliper to lose its original accuracy, or cause the measuring surface to wear out prematurely.
- Tool maintenance and care
In daily production, the tools used in the cutting process should be maintained and maintained accordingly to ensure that the tools can be used safely and accurately.
(1) Nozzle
The nozzle is a tool that is frequently replaced during laser cutting. When storing, it is best to place the nozzle in a fixed storage box. Different types of nozzles should be stored separately for easy access and use.
During the laser cutting process and after the processing is completed, you need to always pay attention to whether there is slag or other residue on the nozzle head. If there is no penetration, hole explosion, slag back, etc. during the cutting process, check whether there is slag residue or blockage on the nozzle head in time. If it is not cleaned or replaced in time, it will cause serious damage to the optical components inside the cutting head during the subsequent production process.
During the cleaning process, sandpaper or other tools need to be used to remove the slag on the surface. If the hole in the nozzle head is seriously blocked, it needs to be replaced in time.
(2) Grabbing tool
After the grabbing tool (such as a magnet) is used for a long time, fine iron filings will remain on the surface of the adsorption end. If too much accumulation will cause the magnetism to weaken. Therefore, after daily use, you can use the hard-bristle brush used for nozzle calibration cleaning on the machine tool to remove the iron filings adsorbed on the surface of the magnet.
(3) Vernier caliper
Before using a vernier caliper, you should first check whether the measuring tool calibration certificate is valid. If there is no measuring tool calibration certificate, the vernier caliper cannot be used. Then wipe the vernier caliper clean, check whether the surface of the workpiece has rust, bruises, and defects that affect the quality of use; check whether the ruler frame moves smoothly and flexibly, and should not be loose or tight or shake obviously. Then gently push the ruler frame to close the two measuring claws, and check the zero position when they are tightly fitted and there is no obvious light leakage gap. At this time, the vernier zero line is aligned with the ruler zero line, and the vernier tail line is aligned with the corresponding scale line of the ruler body. If they are not aligned, they should be sent to the measurement department for inspection in time, and they should not be adjusted or used at will.
The measurement force should be appropriate. Too much or too little will cause measurement errors. In order to maintain the accuracy of the vernier caliper and extend its service life, the vernier caliper must be properly maintained and maintained. Do not use the caliper’s measuring claws as a needle, compass, hook or screwdriver, and do not use the caliper instead of a general caliper or a card plate. When the vernier caliper is damaged or the measuring surface of the measuring jaws and the ruler body have burrs, bends, deformations, etc., it should be sent to the metrology department for repair in time. It can only be used after the repair is qualified. It cannot be disassembled and repaired by yourself.
After the measurement, the vernier caliper should be laid flat, especially the large-sized vernier caliper, otherwise the ruler body is easy to bend and deform. After using the vernier caliper, wipe it clean and oil it, and put it in a special box to avoid rust or dirt.
Note: Do not place the vernier caliper near a strong magnetic field (such as the magnetic workbench of a grinder), and do not place it together with other tools such as hammers, files, chisels, turning tools, etc.
