Can you use laser engraving to cut pink insulating foam?

Foam plastic is a type of polymer material formed by a large number of gas micro-pores dispersed in solid plastic. It has the advantages of heat insulation, light weight, impact resistance, sound absorption, corrosion resistance and moisture resistance. The most common traditional foam plastics include polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PUR), phenolic resin (PF), polyethylene (PE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Foam plastics can be classified into soft foam plastics, semi-rigid foam plastics and rigid foam plastics according to their flexibility. Rigid foam plastic can be used as sound insulation material, heat insulation material, shock-absorbing packaging material, floating material, etc. for pipes and containers. Soft foam plastics can be used as foam artificial leather, cushioning materials, etc.

What is insulating foam? 

Thermal insulation foam plastic is a kind of rigid foam plastic. The polymer that makes up thermal insulation fam plastic is in a crystalline or amorphous state, and its glass transition temperature is higher than that at room temperature. Therefore, at room temperature, thermal insulation foam plastic is relatively hard in texture. 

So, how can we use a laser machine to cut it into different shapes and how can we engrave different patterns on its surface?

First of all, we need to understand what a laser foam engraving and cutting machine is and how it works?

What is a laser foam engraving and cutting machine?

The laser foam engraving and cutting machine is an automated device that uses the high heat of the laser beam emitted by the laser tube to conduct to the surface of the foam. It features precise cutting, high speed, simple operation, personalized processing, high precision, simulated display of the laser head's running trajectory, multiple path optimization functions, and an automatic layout system to ensure maximum material savings and cost reduction. It is particularly suitable for the engraving and cutting of insulating foam.

How does a laser foam cutting and engraving machine work?

As the relative position of the laser beam and the foam moves, patterns are eventually engraved or slits are formed on the foam, achieving the purpose of engraving and cutting the foam.

As the relative position of the laser beam and the foam moves, patterns are eventually engraved or slits are formed on the foam, achieving the purpose of engraving and cutting the foam.

How does a laser machine cut and engrave pink insulating foam?

The laser machine with a wavelength of μm is a highly flexible tool that can achieve everything from prototype construction to mass production. You can start directly from the design program, which is especially important for rapid prototyping. Compared with the complex water jet cutting process, laser equipment is significantly faster, more flexible and more efficient. Laser cutting of insulating foam can produce clean fused sealing edges.

A 60W laser generator is sufficient to leave a notch on the insulating foam. Generally speaking, 80W cutting foam requires power. The specific power depends on the thickness of the foam and your requirements. Cutting efficiency. Generally speaking, the higher the power, the thicker the foam to be cut and the faster the cutting speed.

Before starting the laser engraving machine, it is necessary to check whether the power supply is normal, whether the cooling water tank is filled with deionized water, and whether the circulating water pump and the inlet and outlet pipes are normal. Check whether the emergency stop button of the laser is pressed and if there are no foreign objects on the upper part and inside the machine. Check if the lenses are clean. If there is any dirt, they must be cleaned thoroughly before use. Check the mechanical part and make sure there are no foreign objects on the processing table surface. Check whether the electromagnetic air pump is working properly.

If all goes well, let's start engraving and cutting the pink insulating foam with a laser machine.

Step 1: Turn on the main power switch and the control power switch of the machine tool. After the system self-check is completed, return each axis of the machine tool to the reference point.

Step 2: Turn on the power of the control cabinet, start the circulating water pump, and confirm that water is flowing out of the outlet.

Start the chiller and check the water temperature and water pressure (the normal water pressure is 5bar). Three minutes after the chiller is powered on, the compressor starts, the fan rotates, and the cooling begins.

Step 3: Start the air compressor and air dryer. Once the chiller drops to the set temperature (set to 21 degrees), turn on the main power supply of the laser generator.

Step 4: Insert the laser power key into the keyhole of the switch, rotate the key clockwise to turn on the laser power, and wait for the system to operate normally (about 30 seconds).

Step 5. You can directly export from your computer to the laser software via a data cable, or choose to export to a USB flash drive and then download it to the laser machine.

Step 6. When the word "READY" appears on the laser panel, apply a high voltage.

Step 7. Before cutting, confirm the material type, material thickness and material size. Place the insulating foam to be carved and cut on the working surface.

Step 8: Adjust the laser head h8 with a standard ruler, and adjust the plate so that its edge is parallel to the X-axis and Y-axis of the machine tool to prevent the laser head from working outside the range of the plate.

Step 9: Move the Z-axis to the starting point of work, simulate the program to be executed, ensure there is no soft limit alarm, enter the editing mode, and adjust the power, speed, punching time type and thickness according to the material.

Step 10.After the above items are normal, you can switch to the execution state, and you can start carving and cutting insulation foam.

Turn off the machine in the following order after the work is completed:

1. After processing is completed, the prompt bell rings, open the hatch and take out the processed items.

2. Turn the key counterclockwise to turn off the laser, and turn off the circulating water pump after 1 minute.

3. Clean up the processing residue in the machine.

4. Turn off the control cabinet power.

5. Turn off the air dryer and air compressor.

Things to consider

1. Turn on and off in strict accordance with the order of operation.

2. Prohibit non-professionals to operate and maintain the machine.

3. In the process of work, is strictly prohibited to enter the worktable, to ensure the safety of man and machine, encountering dangerous situations, the operator must focus on, as soon as possible, press the “emergency stop” button.

4. With the mode of the optical circuit and laser head adjustment must be carried out in accordance with the correct sequence of operation to ensure the safety of man and machine.

6. Each boot must be back to the reference point, check, clean the focusing mirror, calibrate the beam nozzle coaxiality, open the cutting auxiliary gas, the pressure in the bottle should not be too large (less than 1Mpa).

In short, compared with the traditional engraving and cutting methods, laser engraving and cutting pink insulation foam is fast, efficient, high precision, and the surface will not be deformed, whether it is an amateur or industrial mass production, which is a good choice.