is your n2 consumption high?

[krugtech]

I have a few customers who are N2 cutting w a laser assist ha ha I mean N2 assisted laser cutting. They go through a lot of N2. If you are finding high N2 consumption and/or have to turn the N2 pressure up higher than normal, here's a simple test- take a nozzle, seal the opening up, then put it in the head and turn the assist gas on. If you hear N2 blowing out, you have a leak between your N2 proportional valve and the nozzle. It sounds simple but an alarming number of machines I test have a leak. Testing the O2 is also good idea, O2 leaks like to burn up machines.

Chris Krug

http://krugtech.com/

Maximum Up-time, Minimum BS

 

[Foostrap]

Good point. O2 leaks are a very bad fire hazard.
When testing with a plugged up nozzle, I would add to make sure you don't test at max gas pressure. The lens will probably not crack, but you never know.

 

[RPosty]

I am currently training myself to operate the Lasers so that I can convince my company that 3mm+ nozzles with 450 psi N2 assist is not necessary. They operate full power, full gas pressure with nozzle as close as they can get it to the material for everything. Currently any leaks they have in the system is negligible when operating this way. Where I used to work I never had to deal with application knowledge because we always had very knowledgeable application guys. I just had to fix them. I am actually enjoying learning this end of it. All of the machines I am working on are really old and neglected. Lead screws are shot, turbos, vacuum pumps are tired etc etc. They do not want to invest in the old equipment at all. They do have one amada system that is fairly knew that they do not mind keeping serviced right.

"I am stuck on Band-Aid brand, 'cause they are stuck on me"

 

[krugtech]

RPosty, using too much power and too slow a feed makes dross and too much gas will just cool it too much. I agree with you, it sounds like you're on the far side of the sweet spot w everything, someone dialed it in to work anyway. I angered an operator once, I tuned the machine and it made dross when it was done like dragon fangs. Told him to drop the power and speed it up and he refused and went to get his manager, when they came back I had already adjusted it and made the operator.. i mean button pusher look like a bad. be careful.

Chris Krug

http://krugtech.com/

Maximum Up-time, Minimum BS