Laser cutting machine of glass cutting edge

Laser cutting machine used in cutting and welding sheet metal for 30 years, through focused beam locally heating material. This method is flexible, and high economic benefit, in many industrial applications. Glass is actually lower than metal heat conduction, so laser machine can naturally, used in glass cutting. In fact, some companies began in the early 70 s development of complete sets of systems, the use of CO2 laser is the kw output power level. But, because of the high power level, nots allow to ignore the thermal effects on the glass, so that the partial melting materials, so the time of the laser cutting technology is difficult to guarantee the neat, smooth cutting edge, in many applications, still need to grind the cutting edge. Recently, some engineers and scholars found that the application of low power laser glass separation, at the same time without causing the melting glass heat affected such as the glass cutting method. This method is very complicated, involving many details technology, its basic principle is to use laser caused by stress glass 'separation'. Period, thanks to seal off CO2 laser technology development and mature, laser cutting glass technology is more economic and practical. In our study, the use of the average output power of 150 w CO2 laser ( Coherent K - for the company The type 150) By focusing the light path in the glass surface elliptical focus, elliptical focus focus to ensure that the laser energy in the cutting line on both sides of the uniform distribution and optimization. Glass strongly absorb 10. 6 micron laser, so almost all of the laser energy is absorbed by the glass surface absorption layer of 15 microns, moving relative to the glass surface laser light needed for the formation of cutting line. Choose the appropriate movement speed, to ensure have enough laser heat stress patterns on the glass forming local distribution ( Set the cutting line) Without glass melting. Choice of different processing parameters such as laser power, spot scanning speed, stress rupture caused by the depth of up to 100 microns to several millimeters, means that can step in the method of laser cutting depth is 100 microns to several millimeters of glass. Because the process depends on the thermal mechanical stress, fracture depth and the cutting speed and material itself has much to do with the coefficient of expansion. In general, suitable for laser method for cutting glass small expansion coefficient should be 3. 2x10- 6 k - 1, fortunately, most ordinary glass meet this requirement. Compared with traditional mechanical cutting method, this new method has several important advantages. First of all, this is one step to complete, dry machining process. Smooth edge, does not require subsequent cleaning and polishing. And laser machine caused by the separation process of high strength, the edge of the natural temper, not tiny cracks. Using this method, to avoid the unexpected cracks and broken, and reduce the defect rate, increased the production. Edge quality qualitatively described in a 1. 5 mm thick glass between three different cut marks on the dynamic difference. In order to quantitatively evaluate the quality of edge, according to the ISO3274, should use Stylus contour measuring instrument for measuring the edge of the laser cutting machine. Authority measurement shows that the average roughness ( Ra) Less than zero. 5 microns. Because cracks is precisely along the laser beam in trace, laser causing separation can be cut into very accurate curve pattern. In fact, we do experiments have proved that regardless of the straight line or curve, laser cutting can continuously and accurately complete set pattern, repeatability of + 50 microns. So laser machine can carry out precise cutting curve and 3 d graphics. Glass cutting edge clean without lobes and crack, don't need a subsequent processing process. Because the laser is contact tools, no tool wear, which can ensure the quality of continuous, uniform thickness and edge cutting. For comparison, 3 ( b) Shows the use of metal wheel for cutting edge, you can see there are all along the parting line residual tension components. 3 ( c) Is the result of the diamond grinding wheel cutting, can see a lot of tiny crack, for many applications, the need to grind the cutting edge. In the long run, the laser will lead to the separation technology in many glass replace the method of mechanical cutting applications.