With the rapid development of laser cutting technology, it has become an indispensable part of modern manufacturing. In particular, with the development of industrial intelligent manufacturing, laser cutting technology has entered the steel structure market, gradually replaced traditional cutting methods, and become the preferred CNC equipment in the steel structure industry.
H shaped steel, as a widely used profile in steel structure buildings, has extremely high requirements for cutting accuracy and efficiency. Traditional cutting methods such as flame cutting and plasma cutting have disadvantages such as rough cutting surface, large heat-affected zone, and slow cutting speed, which are difficult to meet the quality and efficiency requirements of modern steel structure buildings.
The emergence of laser cutting structural steel technology has completely changed this situation. The laser beam is focused in a very small area, generating extremely high energy density, instantly melting and vaporizing the material, thereby achieving precise cutting.
What is H-Beam
H-Beam is a strip of steel with a specific cross-sectional shape and size. Its cross-sectional shapes vary, and the common ones are I-shaped, H-shaped, U-shaped, L-shaped, etc., just like the shape of English letters.
Features of H-Beam
Various shapes: According to different uses, the cross-sectional shape of the steel can be designed into various forms to meet different structural requirements.
High strength: The cross-sectional shape of the steel gives it high bending strength and torsional strength, and can withstand large loads.
Good stability: The cross-sectional shape of the steel can effectively prevent the instability of the component and improve the stability of the structure.
Good processing performance: The steel is easy to weld, cut and drill, and is easy to process and assemble.
Classification of steel
- I shaped steel: I-shaped cross section, widely used in construction, bridges and other projects.
- H shaped steel: H-shaped cross section, one of the commonly used steel in building structures.
- U shaped steel: U-shaped cross section, commonly used to make beams, columns and other components.
- L shaped steel: L-shaped cross section, commonly used to connect and support other components.
- Channel steel: Channel-shaped cross section, commonly used to make beams, columns and other components.
What is Laser Cutting Structural Steel
Laser cutting structural steel is a laser cutting machine specially produced for the steel structure market. It can handle complex H-beam shapes and sizes, and can achieve H-beam beveling, cutting, hole cutting, marking processing, and rootless cutting of welding holes or lock holes.
It replaces the traditional cumbersome processes. Later, it can be combined with welding equipment and used with a complete set of steel processing lines to reduce costs and increase efficiency for enterprises.、
Functions of laser cutting structural steel
- Precision cutting: Cut H-beam into required length and shape to ensure dimensional accuracy.
- Drilling and slotting: Process holes and slots on H-beam for bolt connection or pipeline penetration.
- Laser marking: Make permanent marks on the surface of H-beam for easy identification and positioning.
- Bevel cutting: Bevel cutting of H-beam at different angles according to welding requirements to ensure weld quality.
Components of structural steel laser cutting
- Fiber laser: an important source of laser beam energy for cutting, equivalent to the heart of steel structure laser cutting machine.
- Laser cutting head: directs the laser beam to the H-beam, non-contact cutting, without damaging the substrate.
- CNC system: CNC software operation, control the cutting process and ensure accuracy.
- Cooling system: maintain the optimal temperature of machine components.
- Support and feeding mechanism: hold and move the H-beam during cutting.
Advantages of structural steel laser cutting
- High precision and high efficiency: Laser cutting can cut H-shaped steel of various complex shapes with extremely high precision, and the cutting speed is far higher than the traditional method, which greatly improves production efficiency.
- Extremely low material loss: The heat-affected zone of laser cutting is extremely narrow, and the material loss is extremely small, which effectively reduces production costs.
- Non-contact processing: The laser beam and the material are non-contacted, which avoids the problem of tool wear in traditional cutting methods and ensures the stability of cutting quality.
- Wide material applicability: Laser cutting can be applied to H-shaped steel of various thicknesses and materials, and has strong adaptability.
- Excellent incision quality: The incision produced by laser cutting is flat, smooth, and burr-free, and no complicated subsequent processing is required.
- High degree of automation: Laser cutting equipment has a high degree of automation, which can realize mass production and reduce labor costs.
How to Choose the Right Laser Cutting Structural Steel
1.Clear processing requirements
Workpiece size and weight:
- Maximum processing size: Determine the length, height and width of the maximum H-beam to be cut.
- Weight load: Ensure that the machine’s material handling system can safely carry the maximum workpiece.
- Working range: The machine’s working range should be able to fully cover the maximum workpiece.
Material thickness and material:
- Material thickness: Determine the thickness range of the H-beam to be cut.
- Material material: Different materials have different requirements for laser power and auxiliary gas.
Cutting accuracy and speed:
- Cutting accuracy: Determine the required cutting accuracy based on product quality requirements.
- Cutting speed: Determine the required cutting speed based on production efficiency requirements.
Cutting shape:
Complexity of cutting shape: Complex shapes require higher precision cutting.
Mass production:
Daily cutting volume: Select the appropriate machine tool power based on mass production requirements.
2.Laser power selection
High power (6-30kW): suitable for cutting thick plates, complex shapes, and fast cutting speed.
3.Equipment configuration
- Control system: Select a stable and reliable CNC system to ensure cutting accuracy and repeatability.
- Transmission system: Select a transmission system with high precision and good rigidity to ensure the accuracy of the cutting path.
- Cutting head: Select a suitable cutting head according to the material and thickness.
- Auxiliary equipment: Dust collectors, cooling systems, etc. help improve the working environment and extend the life of the equipment.
4. Degree of automation
Automatic loading and unloading system: Improve production efficiency and reduce labor costs.
Automated programming: Simplify operation and reduce human errors.
5.Other considerations
- Software compatibility: Compatible with your CAD/CAM software.
- After-sales service: Whether the manufacturer’s after-sales service system is sound.
- Safety performance: Whether the equipment has complete safety protection measures.
- Environmental protection: Whether it meets environmental protection requirements.
- Price budget: Comprehensively consider equipment performance, price and long-term use costs.
6.Purchase suggestions
- Field visit: Visit the manufacturer in person to understand the performance and operation of the equipment.
- Consult an expert: Consult industry experts or experienced users to obtain professional advice.
- Test cutting: If conditions permit, you can arrange a test cutting to personally verify the performance of the equipment
Conlusion
Choosing the right laser cutting structural steel is a systematic project that requires comprehensive consideration of multiple factors. During the purchase process, it is recommended that you communicate with multiple suppliers to learn more about the performance parameters, technical features and after-sales service of the equipment, and make the final decision based on your actual needs.
FAQ
What are the common applications of laser cutting structural stee?
Laser cutting structural stee is widely used in construction, machinery manufacturing, automobile manufacturing and other industries.
- In the construction industry, laser cutting can be used to cut steel structure components, curtain wall panels, etc.;
- In the machinery manufacturing industry, it can be used to cut various mechanical parts;
- In the automobile manufacturing industry, it can be used to cut automobile body parts.
What are the safety precautions for steel structure laser cutting machine?
During the laser cutting process, the following safety precautions should be taken: wear protective glasses, gloves and other protective equipment; avoid direct contact with the laser beam; regularly check the equipment to ensure that the equipment is in good condition; and regularly conduct safety training for operators.
What is the cost of structural steel laser cutting?
The cost of laser cutting structural steel mainly includes equipment purchase cost, operating cost and labor cost. The equipment purchase cost is high, but in the long run, the high efficiency and low loss of laser cutting can reduce production costs. In addition, factors such as material thickness and cutting complexity will also affect the cutting cost.
