There’re 2 modes for air assist. Cut and Engrave. The 2 air solenoids are controlled with the smart board. There are also 2 needle valves mounted on the front left panel so you can adjust the flow for each mode as well as momentary push buttons to test the flow. When you press a button the corresponding stage activates for 10 seconds.
So now you can define high(Cut) or low(Engrave) air assist by toggling the air assist function in each layer. With air OFF you get the engrave mode automatically. It offer ON and OFF in the drop down to CUT and Engrave in the current version (this is specific to the Thunder Laser version of RDWorks). All you need to remember when applying layer settings is that air assist OFF will activate the Engrave stage and air assist ON will activate the Cut stage.
This also works on Lightburn software, for engraving just toggle air assist off in the cut settings in lightburn. For cutting, toggle air assist ON and it will choose the cut air stage.
What role does air assist play in laser cutting and engraving?
• Enhancing Cutting Quality: Air assist effectively removes the smoke generated during the cutting process, preventing it from accumulating at the edges of the cut and ensuring clean and precise cutting lines. For laser cutting, this helps reduce charring, resulting in smoother cut edges.
• Increasing Cutting Speed: When high-pressure air is used, it brings more oxygen, which accelerates the combustion reaction with the material, thereby speeding up the cutting process significantly. This enables the cutting of thicker materials.
• Improving Engraving Precision: During engraving, air assist clears away smoke and fine particles from the surface of the material, preventing them from settling on the engraved area and affecting the detail and clarity of the final product. Particularly in delicate engraving, a steady airflow helps maintain intricate design quality. However, the air assist during engraving should not be too strong, as excessive airflow can distort the engraved pattern.
• Cooling the Material Surface: Laser cutting and engraving generate high temperatures, and air assist can provide localized cooling, preventing the material from overheating and catching fire. This is especially important when cutting acrylic and thick wood, where the absence of air assist can easily lead to fires.
• Protecting Lenses and Optical Systems: Air assist prevents debris and smoke produced during processing from entering the laser head and lenses, thus reducing the risk of contamination, extending the equipment’s lifespan, and decreasing the frequency of maintenance.
Should I add a high-pressure air compressor to my laser cutting machine?
If your work involves more cutting tasks, it is advisable to add an air compressor. It will make your cuts cleaner and faster. If you primarily focus on engraving, adding an air compressor may not be necessary.
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