Yes, laser cutting machines can cut aluminum plates, but you need to choose the right equipment according to the laser power, cutting parameters and material thickness, and pay attention to the risks brought by high reflectivity.
1. Feasibility of laser cutting aluminum plates
Laser cutting machines use high-power density laser beams to melt or vaporize materials, and use high-speed airflow to blow away the melt to achieve cutting. Although aluminum plates are difficult to cut due to high reflectivity (low laser absorption), they can still be effectively cut by adjusting parameters (such as power, gas type) and process optimization (such as surface coating).
2. Relationship between cutting thickness and power
The thickness of aluminum plates that can be cut mainly depends on the laser power:
6000W: Maximum cutting thickness is about 16mm.
4500W: About 12mm.
20000W (high power): When using nitrogen, the batch cutting thickness reaches 30mm, and the maximum cutting thickness is 60mm (but the speed is extremely low, not recommended).
Thin plate (<6mm): More suitable for fiber laser cutting machine, because it absorbs 1064nm wavelength better.
3. Cutting quality and process points
Incision quality: Thin slit (0.1-0.2mm), smooth cut surface without burrs, small thermal deformation.
Gas selection: Nitrogen is recommended to prevent oxidation and retain the original color of aluminum.
Parameter debugging: It is necessary to balance speed and quality. Too fast is easy to produce burrs, and too slow may cause cracks.
4. Risks and limitations Equipment damage risk: The high reflectivity of aluminum plate may damage the laser lens or laser head, especially fiber optic equipment needs to be cautious.
Cost issue: High-power lasers are expensive, and the gas consumption is large when cutting aluminum plates, and the processing cost is high.
5. Alternative solutions
Aluminum plates below 6mm: CNC punching can be considered.
Thicker aluminum plates: Waterjet cutting is safer and more reliable.
Summary
Laser cutting of aluminum plates is technically feasible, but power, cost and risk need to be weighed. Specialized fiber optic equipment should be given priority, and process specifications should be strictly followed to ensure cutting results and equipment safety.