BLM GROUP adds compressed air capability to all laser systems

BLM GROUP USA has announced that compressed air can be used as an assist gas on all of its flat-sheet and laser tube cutting systems. This option enables users to choose the gas best suited for their particular material and application.

When used in aluminum applications, high-pressure dry air produces nearly dross-free cuts while gaining up to 150% increases in speed on 1/8-in.-thick aluminum. It also can be an appropriate choice for mild steel applications, on which it has a lower cost yet comparable speed to nitrogen, the company states. The thickness of the materials that can be processed with compressed air varies depending on the laser power; materials up to 1/8 in. can be cut using a 3-kW laser or ¼ in. with 6-kW and higher lasers.