Air Compressor Sizing for Fiber Lasers

Separate pneumatic air from cutting air

A fiber laser may need low-volume shop air for pneumatic functions even when oxygen or nitrogen is used for cutting. Cutting with compressed air is a different requirement and can demand high pressure, continuous flow, a dryer, filtration, storage and a compressor sized for the actual laser power, nozzle, material, thickness and duty cycle.

Questions before selecting a compressor

• Will air be used only for machine pneumatics, or as an assist gas for cutting?
• What laser power, nozzle size, material, thickness, pressure and flow are required?
• What percentage of the shift will the laser cut with air?
• What other machines share the compressor?
• What ambient temperature, ventilation, electrical service and maintenance access are available?

Air quality matters

Cutting air should be clean, dry and stable. Oil, water, particles, pressure drop and inadequate dew point can damage optics, contaminate gas paths, reduce cut quality and increase consumable use. A production package may include a compressor, receiver, refrigerated or desiccant dryer, coalescing and particulate filters, automatic drains, pressure regulation and monitored delivery piping.

Do not size only by horsepower

Horsepower does not prove delivered pressure and flow at the machine. Compare the compressor's rated flow at the required pressure, duty cycle, pressure drop through dryer and filters, pipe length, receiver size, ambient derating, maintenance interval and simultaneous shop demand. The selected package should have margin rather than operating continuously at its absolute limit.

Oxygen cutting may not require a high-pressure cutting-air package

When the planned process uses oxygen for mild steel and nitrogen for stainless or aluminum, the compressor requirement can be limited to machine pneumatics or other shop use. A high-pressure compressor should not be added automatically without confirming the gas strategy.

Request a fiber-laser utility-package review.