In laser cutting, the precision of a part does not depend solely on the machine’s power or programming. The assist gas helps expel molten material and influences the finish obtained, especially when the aim is to limit edge oxidation.
Industrial Altin, a Barcelona-based company specialising in contract mechanical engineering and the manufacture of metal parts and components, decided to improve the infrastructure supplying nitrogen to its cutting process.
The company relied on GasN2 to install a high-purity on-site nitrogen generation system with high-pressure recompression. The aim was to combine the technical characteristics required for cutting with greater supply autonomy.
The goal: controlling the quality and availability of the assist gas
Nitrogen acts as an assist gas in certain laser cutting operations. Its role includes displacing molten material and limiting the presence of oxygen in the cutting zone when the process requires an oxide-free finish.
Gas purity is important, but it is not the only parameter. Humidity, contaminants, and the pressure and flow rate available at the point of use also play a part. Specifications depend on the material, its thickness and the equipment used.
Industrial Altin was using 18 nitrogen racks a month (around 2,800 m³), whose transport generated 3.6 tonnes of CO₂ a year. The company wanted to replace this supply logistics with its own generation and improve control over supply.
The solution: GN27 HP generation with 99.995% purity
GasN2 implemented a GN27 HP generator designed to produce nitrogen directly at Industrial Altin’s facilities. The system produces high-purity nitrogen, with a purity of 99.995%, and includes a gas recompression stage up to 300 bar.
What does high nitrogen purity provide?
High purity reduces the proportion of gases other than nitrogen in the supply. In cutting applications where oxidation must be limited, this parameter helps define the working conditions, although it does not on its own guarantee a specific finish.
It is worth distinguishing between purity and gas quality. Quality also depends on other impurities and on the specifications required by the process. GasN2 explains this difference in its article on purity and quality in industrial gases.
Nitrogen recompression up to 300 bar
The system combines gas production with a subsequent recompression stage. This stage makes it possible to reach pressures of up to 300 bar, so nitrogen is available at high pressure for the cutting process.
The solution includes remote monitoring, traceability and display of operating parameters and gas quality. It also features a modular architecture to assess future expansions.
Benefits: autonomy, parameter monitoring and less logistics
With the GN27 HP, Industrial Altin can produce its own nitrogen to a defined purity specification and condition it at high pressure for its cutting infrastructure.
This reduces dependence on supply via external racks and the work involved in changing them. It also makes it easier to match gas availability with production needs.
Equipment monitoring provides useful information for overseeing the process and managing maintenance.
On-site production delivers cost savings and eliminates rack transport, which generated 3.6 tonnes of CO₂ a year. The emissions reduction is equivalent to planting 213 trees.
A technical solution tailored to laser cutting
The Industrial Altin project shows that nitrogen supply is part of the engineering of the cutting process. Purity, quality, pressure and availability must be analysed together to achieve efficient integration with the machines.
GasN2 nitrogen generators make it possible to configure solutions to meet these requirements. You can also see the Industrial Altin project to learn more about the installation.
If you would like to review the assist gas needs of your process, contact the GasN2 technical team to explore a tailored solution.
