Edge processing after laser cutting: dross removal
Laser cutting is one of the most precise methods for metal fabrication. However, even the most advanced equipment can leave dross (solidified metal droplets) and burrs on the edges. Additionally, when using oxygen as an auxiliary gas, an oxide layer forms on the cut edge, which prevents high-quality paint adhesion.
How to quickly clean the part? Let’s look at the best tools from Stark Abrasive.
1. Abrasive belts for heavy-duty cleanup
If the dross is massive, endless grinding belts on stationary machines are the best solution.
- Recommendation: Use ceramic grain (e.g., VSM XK870X or 3M™ Cubitron™ II 984F).
- Advantage: Ceramics do not "glaze" over sharp dross; they shear it off without overheating the part's edge.
2. Flap discs for manual processing
For complex shapes or large workpieces, flap discs for angle grinders are the ideal choice.
- Grit Selection: Use P40–P60 for fast burr removal. For paint preparation, use P80–P120.
- Tip: 3M™ 769F flap discs provide a perfect balance between speed and durability.
3. Oxide layer removal and finishing
Even if a part looks clean, the oxide layer can cause powder coating to peel off in the future.
- Scotch-Brite™: Non-woven abrasive wheels and sheets delicately remove oxide without changing the part's geometry.
- Clean & Strip Wheels: If you need to remove heat tint or heavy scale, use black or purple "coral" wheels.
Production lifehack
When processing large quantities of small parts, consider tumbling equipment or machines with deburring brushes. This allows you to automate the process and achieve a perfectly uniform edge across all parts simultaneously.
Conclusion: The right abrasive not only improves the product's appearance but also significantly reduces the risk of defects during subsequent welding or painting.
Need help selecting the right abrasives for edge cleaning after laser cutting? Contact the Stark Abrasive team — we will find the most efficient solution for your production!
3M™ Flap Disc 769F – is our durable, high-performance abrasive flap disc with precision-shaped grains from 3M™ Precision-Shaped Grain and durable polyester base.
3M™ Flap Disc 769F – convenient, strong, efficient and universal petal disc. Our discs are coated with 3M™ Precision-Shaped and proven to be more effective than traditional zirconium corundum petal discs. This abrasive is constantly breaking down to form sharp particles that cleanly cut metal, unlike traditional abrasives that tend to plow through the substrate. This breaking down into particles, together with the destruction of individual petals to release fresh layers of mineral, ensures a high grinding speed that is stable throughout the life of the disc. Polyester base additionally extends durability. Together with the high adhesion, this makes the discs an ideal choice for high-pressure jobs such as beveling, grinding welds and deburring edges. In addition, they create clean surfaces, which makes them indispensable for smoothing and surface preparation. In many cases, 3M™ Flap Disc 769F provides sanding and finishing without changing the abrasive tool. This is possible because under normal conditions the 769F disc finish is one step thinner than a fiber disc of the same grade. Although the fiber disc grinds faster, this petal disc simplifies the process flow, eliminating the need to change tools, which saves time and increases productivity. An ideal choice for processing carbon steel, stainless steel and other alloys sensitive to high temperatures.
Cubitron™ II 987C high-performance fiber grinding wheels are designed for machining stainless steel and other heat-sensitive metals.
Cubitron II 987C fiber grinding wheels are designed for machining stainless steel, nickel alloys, bronze, brass, and other heat-sensitive metals and alloys. They are used in applications requiring extensive metal removal, such as weld removal, chamfering, burr removal, and other defect removal. Best results are achieved with 3M™ ribbed fiber wheel mandrels. The precision-formed 3M™ ceramic grain provides the Cubitron™ II 987C fiber grinding wheels with exceptional performance, including high machining speed and long service life.
Universal abrasive tape from ceramic grain for a wide range of tasks.
Due to the improved properties and increased resistance, the speed of grinding Cubitron ™ II ribbons of the same or thinner grain is much higher, and the life of the tape is much longer than in the wastewater with ordinary ceramic grain.
In many cases, when replacing the other tape with the Cubitron ™ II tape, you can reduce the number of grinding steps and get the same high surface quality.
