With the continuous improvement of processing efficiency and appearance quality requirements in the 3C electronics, precision manufacturing, and flexible material processing industries, CO ₂ laser cutting and engraving equipment is facing a new round of performance upgrades: higher cutting speeds, more accurate motion trajectories, and consistent processing consistency in mass production.
The ability of a device to achieve the above goals is not solely determined by the laser itself. The output of laser energy relies on the precise reproduction of the motion system in space - trajectory following ability, velocity stability, and dynamic response speed, which directly affect whether the cutting width is uniform, whether the cutting edge is smooth, and whether there is overburning at the corner.
In other words, with the increasingly mature performance of lasers, the performance differences of motion control systems are becoming a key variable in widening the gap between the processing quality and production capacity of CO ₂ laser processing equipment.
1、 Why is CO ₂ laser cutting so demanding on servo?
The working principle of CO ₂ laser cutting is to drive the laser head to move at high speed on the XY platform through a servo system, while simultaneously adjusting the laser power in real-time to complete the cutting.
This means:
Fast speed: The cutting speed directly determines the production capacity, especially in scenarios such as 3C electronic thin plate cutting and CNC cutting machines. A step slower results in efficiency loss;
High precision is required: even if the trajectory deviation is only a few tens of micrometers, burrs and slag will be left at the cutting edge;
Stable operation: Excessive speed fluctuations can lead to uneven cutting seam width, rough edges, and even incomplete cutting.
The traditional stepper motor scheme is limited by open-loop control and low-speed characteristics, and is prone to problems such as step loss and large speed fluctuations during high-speed cutting; Some traditional servo schemes, although closed-loop control, still have shortcomings in terms of self-tuning efficiency and low-speed stability. The high-tech BD3E+PH3 solution is designed to address these pain points.
2、 Solution configuration: BD3E servo driver+PH3 high-performance servo motor
The Gaochuang solution uses BD3E series servo drives combined with PH3 high-performance servo motors to compare stepper motors with traditional servo solutions, achieving comprehensive improvements in speed response, control accuracy, and debugging efficiency.
The BD3E series is a universal AC servo product launched by Gaochuang in the field of rotary servo, supporting multiple control methods such as EtherCAT, Modbus, analog and pulse, with simple debugging and easy installation. In this laser cutting solution, its multiple performance advantages are fully unleashed:
High speed and precision, faster cutting, smoother edges
When paired with a 20bit/23bit absolute encoder, BD3E can achieve a cutting speed of ≥ 4.5m/s in actual cutting, and the cutting edge is smoother, reducing subsequent polishing processes. The high-precision feedback brought by the 23 bit high-resolution absolute value encoder allows the laser head to accurately follow the trajectory instructions during high-speed reciprocating motion without losing steps or lagging.
One click self-tuning+online self-tuning, ready to use upon startup
Laser cutting equipment often requires frequent changeover and adjustment of working conditions. BD3E supports one click self-tuning and online self-tuning functions, which can save more debugging time and be used immediately upon startup; Combined with a six button control panel, there are fewer operating steps and a more comfortable feel. For equipment manufacturers who require fast delivery and quick production changes, this means shorter on-site debugging cycles and lower technical barriers. In expert mode, HDM frequency scanning modeling can also be used to make control parameter adjustment more convenient.
Exquisite design, stable and reliable
BD3E adopts a hidden battery compartment design, with clean and stable connecting wires; The design of separating strong and weak electricity significantly reduces inexplicable failures caused by EMC issues, which is particularly important for equipment with complex electromagnetic environments such as laser cutting.
3、 Application scenario: From laser cutting to multi industry extension
This solution has been implemented and applied in multiple scenarios:
CO ₂ laser cutting/engraving machine: high-speed cutting of thin plates and non-metallic materials, with smooth edges and significant efficiency improvement;
3C Electronics: Precision structural components, panel cutting, and scenarios with strict requirements for trajectory accuracy;
CNC cutting machine: stable following under high-speed reciprocating motion, with neat cutting edges;
Metal processing: Combined with CO ₂ laser for cutting medium and thin plates, balancing speed and accuracy.
The significance of upgrading from stepper motors to servo solutions is not just about replacing a set of hardware, but about taking the equipment to the next level in terms of speed, accuracy, and stability. The combination of high-tech BD3E+PH3 provides a set of motion control solutions for CO ₂ laser cutting/engraving machines, 3C electronics, CNC cutting machines, metal processing and other scenarios, which are ready to use, fast and stable cutting.
