Enhance Laser Cutting with CMS Nitrogen Generation
CMS Nitrogen Generation: The Essential Solution for Laser Cutting
Precision laser cutting requires a clean, oxygen-free environment to achieve perfect cuts. Otherwise, oxygen causes unwanted oxidation, a chemical reaction that results in rust or a rough, discolored surface. This reaction reduces the appearance and quality of materials like stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and titanium, which are highly sensitive to oxidation. To address this, operators use a stream of ultra-pure nitrogen from carbon molecular sieve PSA nitrogen generators to quickly remove molten metal from the cutting area.
How Enhance Laser Cutting with CMS Nitrogen Generation?
During laser cutting, the laser beam heats the material until it melts, while a high pressure jet of pure nitrogen immediately removes the molten material from the cut area (kerf). This nitrogen simultaneously shields the hot metal edges from oxygen, preventing oxidation and ensuring clean, precise cuts.
This high purity nitrogen efficiently generated onsite by Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) systems using Carbon Molecular Sieve (CMS).
- Compressed Air: Initial input air is filtered and pressurized.
- Twin PSA Towers: Air alternates between two adsorption towers filled with high performance CMS, which selectively adsorbs oxygen and other contaminants, allowing pure nitrogen to flow freely.
- Instant Nitrogen to Laser Cutter: The purified nitrogen gas, typically at 99.9% or higher purity and pressures between 10 to 25 bar is delivered directly and immediately to the laser cutting equipment, ensuring a continuous, high quality nitrogen supply. With SorbiTech™ CMS, fabricators gain reliable access to ultra pure nitrogen onsite, enhancing cutting quality, efficiency, and overall operational effectiveness.
Key Benefits of using CMS PSA Nitrogen Generation
- Delivers oxide free, mirror bright edges on stainless, aluminium and coated steels; no secondary grinding or pickling.
- provides exceptional precision, making it ideal for producing components with tight tolerances and intricate designs.
- Keeps optics, nozzles and cut edges free of moisture stains or micro corrosion, especially on polished stainless.
Recommended N₂ Purity | Typical Materials | Importance & Benefits |
|---|---|---|
99.9% | Mild steel, Acrylic | Prevents discoloration and basic oxidation |
99.99% | Stainless steel ≤ 4 mm | Maintains chromium oxide layer, ensuring corrosion resistance |
99.999% | Stainless steel > 4 mm, Aluminium, Titanium | Zero oxidation, eliminates recast layers, ensures superior surface quality |
Importance of Assist Gases in Laser Cutting: Why Nitrogen Stands Out?
In laser cutting, certain gases known as assist gases are commonly used to improve cutting quality, boost cutting speed, and protect materials from damage. Nitrogen is important when a high quality, clean, and smooth cut is desired. Due to its inert properties, nitrogen prevents oxidation and reduces slag formation along the cut edges. The result is a smoother, cleaner finish with excellent aesthetics that typically doesn’t require additional post processing steps.
Nitrogen Improves Laser Beam Quality
Nitrogen is also commonly used to purge the laser beam path. Keeping the beam pathway free from dust, dirt, and contaminants is essential to maintain the beam’s strength, precision, and stability. Nitrogen is ideal for this purging process because it is dry, clean, oil free, and has very low contamination levels. By purging the beam path with nitrogen, laser cutting equipment can maintain optimal power, intensity, and beam focus, resulting in consistent, high quality cutting performance.
Choosing right Carbon Molecular Sieve in PSA nitrogen generators provides significant advantages over alternative supply methods:
- Superior Purity Levels: CMS achieves ultra-high purity (up to 99.999%), surpassing membrane systems that typically peak at about 99.5%.
- Exceptional Energy Efficiency: CMS systems consume just 0.35 kWh per Nm³ at 7 bar up to 45% lower than traditional cryogenic (liquid nitrogen) solutions.
- Long Operational Lifetime: Carbon Molecular Sieves reliably last over 40,000 adsorption cycles, typically exceeding ten years of continuous operation.
- Rapid Return on Investment (ROI): Typical payback period ranges from just 8 to 18 months compared to using delivered liquid nitrogen (LIN) or compressed gas cylinders.
- Global Regulatory Compliance: All units meet standard certifications, ensuring safe, reliable, and compliant nitrogen production worldwide.
Getting Started – Selecting the Right Carbon Molecular Sieve Load
Tell us your laser cutting flow and purity targets, and we will calculate the exact CMS grade and bed volume your nitrogen generator needs fast, accurate, and tailored to your machine.