A Guide to Brass Laser Cutting

One of the most commonly used metals for various applications across a range of industries is brass.

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Providing manufacturers with a dark gold colouring and shiny appearance, brass is a great choice for applications ranging from decorative items to plumbing parts, household appliances, electrical equipment, and various types of machinery.

Brass is not only practical and decorative; it is also incredibly versatile. A blend of varying levels of zinc and copper, the material brass can produce different mechanical and chemical properties, which steel metalworks use to benefit all applications.

Sheet metal fabrication involves a series of varied processes, one of which is laser cutting and engraving.

Laser cutting is a process suitable for brass; however, brass is a reflective material, making laser cutting challenging for those with little to no experience.

In this post, we look at laser-cutting brass sheets and why working with a professional fabrication team is the best way to ensure a high-quality finished product.

What is brass laser cutting?

Brass laser cutting involves using laser technology where a laser beam is emitted from the equipment using energy to heat the brass and provide the cut.

A gas is then used alongside the laser to blow out and remove the laser-cut metal, providing a clean and precise cut.

Brass laser cutting has no cutting force to the brass, so there is no deformation of the material, allowing a professional sheet metal contractor the ability to achieve precise processing without any burrs, as well as the ability to handle large sheet sizes and varying thickness levels.

Fibre lasers tend to be used over C02 lasers as they can avoid the high reflectivity of the brass, allowing for a clearer cut. Fibre lasers also offer a higher power output and a shorter wavelength (meaning less reflectivity), which is required for brass to avoid burrs from occurring.

Fibre lasers can also melt brass quicker due to their greater energy output, and brass must be in a molten state for a clean cut.

Fibre laser cutting cuts quickly and precisely, with the cutting slit narrow and smooth. This laser technology can also handle a variety of complex patterns, making it suitable for various design applications and specifications.

(Check out one of our other posts on `what is aluminium laser cutting` to find out more about the various materials and fabrication processes required to achieve a quality cut outcome.)

Brass engraving is also popular, as we see it used on brass plates and trophy engravings. Brass engraving is the process of removing the upper surface of the brass material only, to create distinct patterns and etchings.

Laser-cutting brass sheet

Brass is a non-ferrous metal alloy that offers good abrasion resistance and a shiny surface.

However, cutting brass requires a high level of efficiency and precision, and you must be aware that:

Brass is highly reflective of infrared light, and if not managed or handled appropriately, it can reflect the laser beam, causing problems for the laser optics and even the person managing the equipment.

The laser energy used to cut brass is not absorbed well, as most of the laser is reflected. This makes laser cutting brass extremely challenging and a process that should only be carried out by experienced sheet metal fabricators.

The brass must be molten to lower its reflectivity and enable the cut. The more you can lower the reflectivity, the more you can improve the laser energy absorption, which leads to a cleaner cut.

Using laser for brass cutting

For a successful brass cut:

Use the correct power setting &#; this should typically be set high, i.e., the maximum the machine can provide, as this reduces the time for the brass to become molten, reducing the time the brass is at its highest reflectivity. Ultimately, the higher the laser power, the faster the cut.

Opt for the right cutting speed &#; this is often set at a low speed; we recommend 10 to 15% less than the machine&#;s maximum. The slower speed makes brass cutting much easier.

Position the point of focus as close to the top of the brass sheet as possible without affecting the material&#;s quality.

Choose the right cutting gas&#;for brass, nitrogen is the best choice, as this gas can mechanically remove the cut metal, once it is in its molten state effectively. Nitrogen also helps prevent the metal from forming back again after the laser has passed through.

Material size&#;You need to be aware of the material size you&#;re working with, as you will need to use the right tools and equipment, such as a machine with the right bed size to accommodate the sheet metal in question.

Sheet metal fabricators

Offering you precision, speed, efficiency, and a cost-effective brass cutting solution, the team at Morfabrication are experts in the field of laser cutting sheet metal.

We work with your design specifications and can handle even the most intricate and complex cuts.

Want more information on Brass Laser Cutting Machine? Feel free to contact us.

Providing you with a finished project that is clean, has smooth edges, minimal burring, and a production process that causes minimal waste.

If you have a project coming up that requires precision fabrication, contact the team at Morfabrication today to see how we can help.

Brass, the zinc-copper alloy is known for excellent corrosion resistance. Add to that the bright gold appearance; this combo makes it one of crafter&#;s favorite metals for jewelry, plaques, and ornaments.

One simple and accessible method to stylize brass is laser engraving. Anyone (even beginners) can easily engrave brass with desktop laser engravers.

This blog post explains how laser engraves brass, brass-compatible lasers, and the best laser engraver for brass on the market.

How Laser Engraving Brass Works?

A laser is a focused beam of light, which when interacts with brass, vaporizes it and chips off a chunk of the top layer. The spot size (laser-metal interaction point) is so small that sharp details and intricate designs can be easily achieved.

The desktop laser engraver has this laser packed in a small laser module. The laser head&#;s movement and power are controlled by software at the backend. It guides the laser to remove the material as per the design file.

Types of Laser Engraver for Brass

Lasers have different types based on the gain medium used for the amplification of photons. These different lasers suit different materials because a single type of laser doesn&#;t penetrate inside all materials. Some materials absorb shorter wavelengths while others require longer wavelengths. Among the common lasers, Brass can only absorb two types: fiber laser and infrared laser.

Fiber Laser Engraver

Fiber laser engravers are the top choice for metal cutting and engraving in industries. Their wavelength is readily absorbed by metals including brass. These engravers are known for their higher engraving speeds, often reaching thousands of mm/s. 

Infrared Laser Engraver

Here we are referring to a type of solid state laser engraver with a laser beam in the infrared wavelength (nm). This type of engraver also works well for engraving metal but most of these are often low-powered and engrave to a limited depth. They are common in desktop laser engravers. 

Can You Laser Engrave Brass with a Diode Laser?

The diode laser cannot engrave bare metals (brass included). They can only mark plated and coated metals, for instance, stainless steel.

Best Laser Engraver for Brass

Diode or infrared laser engravers may work for brass with limited engraving capabilities, but if you want prominent and deep engraving, a fiber laser engraver is the best option.

xTool F1 Ultra

20W Fiber Laser Engraver for Brass

xTool F1 Ultra: The Compact Fiber Laser Engraver for Brass

In the world of desktop laser engravers, xTool F1 Ultra is the only one to possess both fiber and diode lasers. It comes with a 20W fiber laser and a 20W diode laser module that makes it compatible with almost all materials. The former supports metal engraving (and cutting), while the latter is responsible for engraving all common materials (wood, cardboard, acrylic, leather, etc.).

Metal Engraving is F1 Ultra&#;s key specialty. It cannot only engrave flat surfaces but also curved ones. The 3D Engraving technology uses a smart camera that adjusts the focus as the surface&#;s contour changes. It also supports engraving on cylindrical engraving with xTool&#;s attachment, RA2 Pro.

Besides all-round engraving capabilities, the machine also shines in speed. F1 Ultra&#;s engraving speed can reach 10,000 mm/s, matching the industrial fiber lasers. The reason? Galvo-laser technology.

F1 Ultra is the largest galvo-laser engraver with a bed size of 220*220mm (without conveyor). It gets even bigger to 500*220mm through a conveyor. Multiple objects can be placed on the conveyor, and their geometries are auto-detected and made ready for pattern mapping. In terms of height, it can accommodate materials up to 145mm.

Engraving brass is made simple with F1 Ultra. It&#;s a three-step process. Place the material and import the design in XCS. The machine auto-adjusts focus based on thickness. You select the material and the XCS software auto-suggests engraving parameters. Next, you just have to initiate engraving.

The machine also features an in-built touch-screen control system with 7GB storage. You can save projects within the machine and later just process the engraving without needing an external connection to a computer.

How to Laser Engrave Brass?

Once you get the laser engraver, the laser engraving process is simple. Just stick to these steps:

Step 1: Find a Sheet of Brass

Take a clean sizeable sheet of brass that could easily fit inside your laser engraving machine.

Step 2: Add Laser Marking Spray (optional)

If you&#;re using a diode laser, coat your metal piece with a laser marking spray. If using a fiber laser machine, such as the xTool F1 Ultra, you can directly proceed with the bare brass sheet.

Step 3: Import the Design File

Place the brass sheet inside the laser engraver and open the laser control software, XCS. The software auto-detects the material thickness and adjusts the focus.

Import the design file and carefully position it over the material. You may receive pre-set engraving parameters, which can be adjusted if needed.

Step 4: The Engraving

Before engraving, use the framing option to perform a dry run along the engraving path. Once you confirm the laser head moves correctly, begin the engraving process.

Step 5: Clean Up

Remove debris or residue from the engraving area with a soft brush or cloth. You may apply a protective coating or polish to enhance appearance and protect the surface.

Are you interested in learning more about Single Table Fiber Laser Cutting Machine? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!