In the previous article, we introduced the impact of gas purity on laser cutting results. Similarly, gas pressure also plays an important role in laser cutting. By adjusting the gas pressure, the cutting speed, quality and process stability can be significantly affected.

1. Cutting speed

High-pressure cutting: High gas pressure is usually used to cut thin plate materials. At this time, the gas can quickly blow the molten material away from the cut, reduce the adhesion of slag, and increase the cutting speed. High-pressure nitrogen or air is often used to cut thin sheet materials to achieve higher cutting efficiency.

Low pressure cutting: For thicker materials or where higher cut quality is required, lower gas pressure is usually used. Lower pressure can avoid slag splashing and reduce the roughness of the cutting edge, but the cutting speed will be reduced accordingly.

2. Cut quality

High-pressure gas: High-pressure gas can more effectively remove the molten material in the cutting area, ensuring a clean and smooth cut. When using nitrogen to cut stainless steel, high-pressure nitrogen can prevent oxidation, ensuring that the cuts are free of oxide layers and slag, and the cuts are of excellent quality.

Low-pressure gas: Low-pressure gas may result in incomplete removal of the molten material, resulting in the formation of slag or burrs at the edge of the cut, especially when cutting thicker materials.

3. Cutting stability

Too high pressure: When the gas pressure is too high, cutting can become unstable. Especially when cutting thin materials, excessive airflow will disturb the interaction between the laser beam and the material, causing burning or deformation of the edge of the cut, affecting the accuracy and quality of the cutting.

Too low pressure: If the gas pressure is insufficient, the molten material cannot be blown away in time, and incomplete cutting will cause accumulation of slag in the incision, seriously affecting the cutting quality, and may even require secondary processing.