Our Firestar f400 laser continues to build its reputation as the laser of choice for sub-kilowatt metal cutting applications. A TEM00 mode with an M² value less than 1.2 creates a near perfect beam capable of out-performing other higher power lasers. With integrated RF power supply, the f400 is easily mounted on a robotic arm or in a large-area flatbed cutting system.

When cutting stainless steel with oxygen assist gas, the oxygen reacts exothermically with the steel, which adds energy to the cut process and increases cut speeds. The downside is that this reaction coats the cut edge with a blackened oxide layer. Using high-pressure nitrogen instead of oxygen adds little, if any, exothermic energy, but the higher gas jet pressure does add mechanical energy, which serves to blow molten metal through the cut kerf before it cools enough to stick and form dross on the bottom edge of the cut face. Nitrogen-assisted cuts are especially important when welding stainless steel parts because the oxide-free edge requires no additional pre-weld processing.

Mylar® adhesive tape is frequently used in processes as diverse as handling IC wafers, insulating electrical components, and sealing photograph or document archives.

This application called for trepanning 10-mm (0.39”) diameter holes through 0.2 mm (0.008”) thick adhesive-coated Mylar and a 0.05 mm (0.002”) thick liner. Because this customer’s future projects require intricate cuts over small areas, we equipped our FH Series marking head with a 125 mm focusing lens to provide XY motion. The 180-micron (0.007”) spot from the FLA125 lens covers a maximum mark field of 85 mm by 105 mm (3.4” x 4.2”) with a position accuracy of 0.017 mm (0.0007”).

In WinMark Pro, we set a Power, duty cycle percentage, equivalent to 60 watts and specified a cut Velocity of 356 millimeters per second (14 in/sec). Using these parameters, we cut out each 10-mm diameter hole in 0.12 seconds. The Mylar tape and liner both exhibit cleanly cut edges with no discoloration or dross present.