Laser Cutting

Chart assist gas solutions improve the quality and efficiency of precision laser cutting processes.

Industrial laser cutting is the process of focusing a high intensity laser beam at a sheet of metal to produce a cut.  However, when narrow tolerances are required, the beam alone cannot produce a clean cut.  For that, a laser must use the help of an assist gas.

Assist gas, either nitrogen or oxygen, is used to exclude regular atmospheric air and blow away the molten material.  Blasting this gas at high velocity and pressure blows away the metal that has been melted by the laser. It also helps take the heat away from the metal sheet. 

With oxygen, the laser power is magnified and more heat is produced.  This allows for faster cutting speeds.  The disadvantage is that oxidation occurs on the cutting edge and more cleanup is needed if the metal is going to be further processed. 

When lasers use nitrogen for cutting, the material is melted solely by the laser power and blown out of the cut by the energy of the nitrogen gas stream. Unlike cutting with oxygen, the melt-shear removal is the only active process since inert gases do not react with the molten metal and no additional heat is generated.

For both nitrogen and oxygen, an uninterrupted delivery of high quality gas is vital.

Benefits of Using an Assist Gas

• Blows away molten metal
• Produces a clean cut
• Improves the cutting power of the laser
• Nitrogen eliminates the oxidation that can occur with the presence of oxygen

Principle Chart Solutions

Chart Laser Assist Gas Solutions eliminate high pressure pumps, compressors, cylinder cradles and surge tanks and are available for operations of all sizes. 

Small Volume Gas Users

Higher Volume Gas Users

Features and Advantages

• Reduces gas deliveries by up to 36%
• Reduces delivery time by up to 33%
• Reduces service calls and maintenance
• Reduces customer downtime by up to 86%
• Increases storage capacity by 27% (or reduces required tank size)
• Available in a range of sizes

Trifecta^® Gas Supply System

Features twin liquid cylinders and automatic pressure switching. It operates by drawing liquid from a standard bulk tank into one of its cylinders and then boosts the liquid pressure with a high performance pressure builder. During this time, the other cylinder is delivering liquid to an external ambient vaporizer that feeds the application. Once this cylinder is empty it vents back to the bulk tank and to atmosphere, preparing itself for a refill. This two-cylinder, four-stroke (Fill, Pressure Build, Delivery, Vent) system works automatically to provide the application with a continuous supply of pure gas.

Features and Advantages

• Continuous operation
• Zero downtime during liquid delivery - system maintains pressure and flow when the bulk tank is filled and eliminates excessive product losses associated with high pressure bulk tanks
• Eliminates high pressure pumps, compressors, cylinder cradles and surge tanks
• Utilizes standard medium pressure tanks (175 or 250 psig) - typically part of standard inventory hence current assets are used with the system
• Pressure switching between cylinders reduces product loss and pressure decay
• Robust design and construction including all stainless steel piping and frame assembly with protective top cover
• Increased durability and reliability - just 5 control valves with integrated PLC 
• Compact footprint
• Simplified installation and start-up
• Available for nitrogen, oxygen and argon service (Inconel and copper are used as required in oxygen service in accordance with CGA guidelines)

Trifecta^® Models and Specifications

The Trifecta® Gas Supply System electric pressure build (PB) vaporizer kit is designed to field retrofit existing Trifecta systems with a means to provide continuous flow rates to original specification, even in cold weather climates. 

Learn more about Chart's assist gas solutions for precision laser cutting

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