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IndustryArena Forum > Laser Engraving and Cutting Machines > Fiber Laser Cutting Topics > Using a fiber laser CUTTING machine for CLEANING
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    158

    Using a fiber laser CUTTING machine for CLEANING

    I have a 6kW fiber laser cutting machine. We're cutting A36 steel, which has a layer of mill scale and rust on it.

    I'd like to use the machine to evaporate the mill scale and rust in specific areas (to prep for welding), so that cutting and cleaning would be done in one shot.

    I'm thinking I would intentionally defocus the beam to achieve cleaning instead of cutting, and to make the beam cover a wider area for the cleaning passes. This is easy enough to test out, but my concern is that since it is not cutting through, that I may end up reflecting light back up into the cutting head, which could damage the machine.

    Does anybody have experience or thoughts about this?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2004
    Posts
    5950

    Re: Using a fiber laser CUTTING machine for CLEANING

    I'm not an expert at this, but when I've seen lasers used for cleaning, it seems to sweep the area with a line, rather than a spot. There must be a lens you can use to shape it that way. Looking it up, it seems that a "Powell lens" is what you're looking for.
    Andrew Werby
    Website

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    158

    Re: Using a fiber laser CUTTING machine for CLEANING

    Purpose-built cleaning lasers use a totally different type of head. Something called a "galvo head" which is able to oscillate/sweep the area. I know and understand how the dedicated cleaning lasers work. I am looking to do something unusual - which is to use a cutting head to perform cleaning. I only need to clean small specific areas.

    You can actually select different settings (speed, wattage, focus depth, hover height, gas pressure, etc.) for different features. My goal is to tell it to use settings that would vaporize the outer layer of the steel without cutting through. I have no doubt this will work. However with fiber lasers, you have to be worried about "back reflection," which is a situation where the beam can reflect back up into the cutting head and cause damage to the machine.

    I was wondering if anybody knew if back reflection would be a concern with trying to do this.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2024
    Posts
    1

    Re: Using a fiber laser CUTTING machine for CLEANING

    Using your fiber laser cutting machine for cleaning is feasible, but careful consideration of beam focus, reflectivity, io games and safety measures is crucial.

  5. #5

    Re: Using a fiber laser CUTTING machine for CLEANING

    It sounds like an interesting idea to use your laser for cleaning! Defocusing the beam could help with that, but you’re right to be cautious about reflections. To avoid damaging the machine, you might want to test it with lower power settings first and keep an eye on the cutting head. It could be a good idea to use protective covers or shields to minimize any risk. Good luck!

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