Using the right nozzle can boost laser cutting productivity by a factor of two. Its role may seem trivial at first, but it’s quite vital. It must restrict the movement of gases in space and prevent molten debris from shooting back at you.
Nozzle for laser cutting head quality is thus determined in part by this factor. Today, we’ll discuss nozzles and the factors to consider while selecting one.
Do Low- And High-Priced Nozzles Differ Much in Quality?
There is a clear distinction because the nozzle material and accuracy affect the conductivity, thermal conductivity, difficulty of adjustment, and protection of the laser head. A nozzle on the cutting head can help prevent damage to the optics by directing a cutting gas to the material’s surface and slit, where it can provide additional cutting force and remove any slag that has accumulated.
We have fud that the quality of the finished product and the longevity of the cutting head depend on the precision with which the nozzle is crafted. The nozzles with a factory-cutting head are typically more expensive than those you may buy separately. However, not all third-party manufacturers can produce enough quantity of these staple goods.
Fibre laser cutters have been in a price war for a while now, and this competition has dropped the cost of laser cutter accessories. A fixation on price at the expense of quality will lead to negative results.
What Happens If You Use Wrong Nozzles?
Poor nozzle design and maintenance can reduce the gas flow rate and unstable airflow direction, which can impair the melting of materials during the cutting process and the creation of molten debris. There is a real risk of being unable to see through materials of greater thickness. You can rely on the nozzle quality our company, Alternative Parts Inc, produces.
The Best Way to Pick a Nozzle | Choosing As Per Needs, Material Type, Size and Accuracy
When choosing a nozzle, it is important to take into account the following details:
i) According To Processing Needs
Laser equipment designed to cut stainless steel and aluminium plates uses nitrogen gas with single-layer nozzles. In contrast, oxygen gas with double-layer nozzles is utilized by this same equipment.
ii) According To Material
Purple copper or brass is the material of choice for nozzle construction most of the time. Copper is superior to brass in terms of its conductivity as well as its stability at higher temperatures.
iii) According To Size
The geometry of the gas field and the flow rate via the nozzle are influenced by its aperture size. A 1mm nozzle should be used for cutting sheets less than 3mm thick, while a 1.5mm nozzle should be used for cutting sheets 3mm thick or more. When cutting materials thicker than 10 mm, a nozzle with a diameter of 2 mm or more is recommended.
iv) According To Accuracy in Data Processing
A concentricity of 0.02 mm or more is required for nozzles in laser heads with 1 mm or less diameters, while a concentricity of 0.03 mm or more is considered good quality. In addition to reducing processing time and the need for early debugging, having nozzles with high concentricity prevents the high-energy laser from ricocheting off the inner wall of the laser head and damaging the head.
Consider These When Choosing a Nozzle | 4 Criteria (Phases) of Selection
It’s important to consider several factors carefully before settling on a particular nozzle. Significant differences will depend on the type of joint you weld, where you weld it, and how you weld it. However, settling on a single path can be challenging, with many possibilities.
To make the best decision, you should have as much information as possible. The quality of the weld you create will be greatly affected by the welding nozzle you use. We’ve included four criteria to consider to help you select the appropriate nozzle.
1: Choose Between a One-Piece and Two-Piece Nozzle
Acetylene nozzles have to be made of a single piece of metal throughout their construction. People who live in extremely hot climates should expect their lifespan to be increased as a result. When working with a variety of fuel gases, a two-piece nozzle might be handier for common cutting tasks, but a single-piece nozzle might be more appropriate for more complex tasks.
2: Pick Your Series (Phase 2)
Alternative Parts Inc is a top choice for nozzles because of our wide variety of series, including chrome nozzles and conical nozzles. Some examples are:
Hp/Conical Chrome Double Nozzles (M11)
Conical Chrome Double Nozzles
3: Next, Determine the Preheating Capacity
We recommend you check the preheat capacity to determine which nozzle you use, like the chrome nozzle. Materials coated in rust and scale on steel, or bevel cutting, call for a large preheat capacity to ensure safe and efficient cutting.
4: Pick Your Size in Step 4
Your nozzle size selection should be based on the steel thickness you are cutting. It’s important to consider things like gas waste caused by large nozzles. Whatever size nozzle you use, ensure the oxygen pressure is adjusted accordingly.
Various Nozzle Types
The most common nozzle materials are brass, copper, and chrome nozzle, freely available in different sizes. There is less splatter at lower amperages when using brass nozzles, and they last longer. For higher amperage applications, however, they shatter, necessitating the use of copper welding nozzles. Their splatter resistance is enhanced and easier to work with at higher temperatures.
Spray nozzles come in many shapes, sizes, and patterns, making it easy to find one that suits your needs. Ideally, one would first ascertain how much gas flow is required to the weld puddle and then choose the nozzle to permit that amount of gas flow. When welding, we suggest you use the best and the broadest nozzle possible to get to the connection easily. Because of this, there will be less splashing, and the shielding gas can move more freely.
You can choose from a variety of nozzles from our product list after you know the flow rate, such as:
- Straight
The increased diameter of a straight welding nozzle isn’t worth it if you need to get in close to your joints.
- Bottleneck
If you’re looking for the best possible access to the joint, a nozzle with a narrow tip is your best bet. These are excellent for use in robotic welding equipment.
- Both The Short and The Long Taper
Both are functionally equivalent to the bottleneck nozzle in that they provide convenient access to joints. They are designed for easy use for welding pipes or getting into tight spaces.
- Conical
A conical nozzle provides for a more uniform distribution of the welding gas. At the same time, it improves visibility, which is especially useful for hand welding. In addition, it accelerates the gas in the weld puddle to eliminate any potential for turbulence or other external variables to impact the weld.
Threaded and slip-on nozzles are also available with us in addition to the alternatives mentioned earlier. The speed and security of the connection are the main differentiating factors here. A torch with a threaded nozzle is more secure and less likely to experience issues like gas leaks. Improved contact tip alignment is another perk.
Threaded nozzles can slow production since they are difficult to remove and replace, especially if splatter bridges into the threads. Since a slip-on nozzle may be replaced without removing the nozzle from the pipe, it is preferred to a threaded nozzle in this situation due to the increased flow rates and decreased costs.
