The power selection of fiber laser cutting machines depends on the type and thickness of the materials being cut.
The thinner the material, the faster the cutting speed.
When a laser cutting machine with the same power cuts different materials, the maximum cutting speed and thickness will vary.
This article will list the power, speed, and thickness parameters of various laser-cutting machines.
You can refer to the table to select the appropriate laser-cutting machine power.
However, cutting speed is not solely affected by power and material thickness.
The quality of the optical lens, fiber laser, plate, and gas will also affect the cutting speed.
As a general rule, the higher the power, the more expensive the laser-cutting machine, but for most applications, a medium-power laser-cutting machine is sufficient.
Therefore, the market share of laser cutting machines in the 1000W to 2000W range is relatively high.
Fiber Laser Cutting Thickness and Speed Parameters (IPG/Carbon Steel/1000W-4000W)
| 1000W | 1500W | 2000W | 3000W | 4000W | ||
| Thickness | Speed | Speed | Speed | Speed | Speed | |
| Material | (mm) | (m/min) | (m/min) | (m/min) | (m/min) | (m/min) |
| 1 | 9-12 | 9-12 | 9-11/18-22 | 9-12/25-30 | 9-11/40-50 | |
| 2 | 4.5-5 | 4.9-5.5 | 5-6 | 5-6/12-15 | 5-6/18-22 | |
| 3 | 3-3.3 | 3.4-3.8 | 3.7-4.2 | 4-4.5 | 4-4.5/15-18 | |
| 4 | 2.1-2.4 | 2.4-2.8 | 2.8-3.5 | 3.2-3.8 | 3.2-3.8/8-10 | |
| Carbon Steel | 5 | 1.6-1.8 | 2.0-2.4 | 2.5-2.8 | 3.2-3.4 | 3-3.5/4-5 |
| (O2/N2/Air) | 6 | 1.3-1.5 | 1.6-1.9 | 2.0-2.5 | 3-3.2 | 2.8-3.2 |
| 8 | 0.9-1.1 | 1.1-1.3 | 1.2-1.5 | 2-2.3 | 2.3-2.6 | |
| 10 | 0.7-0.9 | 0.9-1.0 | 1-1.2 | 1.5-1.7 | 2-2.2 | |
| 12 | 0.7-0.8 | 0.9-1.1 | 0.8-1 | 1-1.5 | ||
| 14 | 0.6-0.7 | 0.7-0.9 | 0.8-0.9 | 0.85-1.1 | ||
| 16 | 0.6-0.75 | 0.7-0.85 | 0.8-1 | |||
| 20 | 0.65-0.8 | 0.6-0.9 | ||||
| 22 | 0.6-0.7 |
Fiber Laser Cutting Thickness and Speed Parameters (IPG/Carbon Steel/6000W-12000W)
| 6000W | 8000W | 10000W | 12000W | ||
| Thickness | Speed | Speed | Speed | Speed | |
| Material | (mm) | (m/min) | (m/min) | (m/min) | (m/min) |
| 1 | 10-12/ 45-60 | 10-12/ 50-60 | 10-12/ 50-80 | ||
| 2 | 5-6/ 26-30 | 5.5-6.8/ 30-35 | 5.5-6.8/ 38-43 | ||
| 3 | 4-4.5/ 18-20 | 4.2-5.0/ 20-25 | 4.2-5.0/ 28-30 | ||
| 4 | 3.2-3.8/ 13-15 | 3.7-4.5/ 15-18 | 3.7-4.5/ 18-21 | ||
| 5 | 3-3.5/ 7-10 | 3.2-3.8/ 10-12 | 3.2-3.8/ 13-15 | ||
| 6 | 2.8-3.2 | 2.8-3.6/ 8.2-9.2 | 2.8-3.6/ 10.8-12 | ||
| 8 | 2.5-2.8 | 2.6-3.0/ 5.0-5.8 | 2.6-3.0/ 7.0-7.8 | ||
| Carbon Steel | 10 | 2.0-2.5 | 2.1-2.6/ 3.0-3.5 | 2.1-2.6/ 3.8-4.6 | 2.2-2.6 |
| (O2/N2/Air) | 12 | 1.8-2.2 | 1.9-2.3 | 1.9-2.3 | 2-2.2 |
| 14 | 1-1.8 | 1.1-1.8 | 1.1-1.8 | 1.8-2.2 | |
| 16 | 0.85-1.5 | 0.85-1.2 | 0.85-1.2 | 1.5-2 | |
| 20 | 0.75-1.0 | 0.75-1.1 | 0.75-1.1 | 1.2-1.7 | |
| 22 | 0.7-0.8 | 0.7-0.85 | 0.7-0.85 | 0.7-0.85 | |
| 25 | 0.6-0.7 | 0.6-0.8 | 0.6-0.8 | 0.6-0.8 | |
| 30 | 0.4-0.5 | ||||
| 35 | 0.35-0.45 | ||||
| 40 | 0.3-0.4 |
Using the chart above, we can compare the parameters of different laser-cutting machines when cutting the same kind of material. For example:
- A 1000W laser cutting machine can cut 3mm-thick carbon steel at a maximum speed of 3.3m/min.
- A 1500W laser cutting machine can cut 3mm-thick carbon steel at a maximum speed of 3.9m/min.
- A 2000W laser cutting machine can cut 3mm-thick carbon steel at a maximum speed of 4.2m/min.
Fiber Laser Cutting Thickness and Speed Parameters (IPG/Stainless Steel/1000W-4000W)
| 1000W | 1500W | 2000W | 3000W | 4000W | ||
| Thickness | Speed | Speed | Speed | Speed | Speed | |
| Material | (mm) | (m/min) | (m/min) | (m/min) | (m/min) | (m/min) |
| 1 | 12-15 | 16-20 | 20-28 | 30-40 | 40-55 | |
| 2 | 4.5-5.5 | 5.5-7.0 | 7-11 | 15-18 | 20-25 | |
| 3 | 1.5-2 | 2.0-2.8 | 4.5-6.5 | 8-10 | 12-15 | |
| 4 | 1-1.3 | 1.5-1.9 | 2.8-3.2 | 5.4-6 | 7-9 | |
| Stainless Steel | 5 | 0.6-0.8 | 0.8-1.2 | 1.5-2 | 2.8-3.5 | 4-5.5 |
| (N2) | 6 | 0.6-0.8 | 1-1.3 | 1.8-2.6 | 2.5-4 | |
| 8 | 0.6-0.8 | 1.0-1.3 | 1.8-2.5 | |||
| 10 | 0.6-0.8 | 1.0-1.6 | ||||
| 12 | 0.5-0.7 | 0.8-1.2 | ||||
| 16 | 0.25-0.35 |
Fiber Laser Cutting Thickness and Speed Parameters (IPG/Stainless Steel/6000W-12000W)
| 6000W | 8000W | 10000W | 12000W | ||
| Thickness | Speed | Speed | Speed | Speed | |
| Material | (mm) | (m/min) | (m/min) | (m/min) | (m/min) |
| 1 | 60-80 | 60-80 | 60-80 | 70-80 | |
| 2 | 30-35 | 36-40 | 39-42 | 42-50 | |
| 3 | 19-21 | 21-24 | 25-30 | 33-40 | |
| 4 | 12-15 | 15-17 | 20-22 | 25-28 | |
| 5 | 8.5-10 | 10-12.5 | 14-16 | 17-20 | |
| 6 | 5.0-5.8 | 7.5-8.5 | 11-13 | 13-16 | |
| 8 | 2.8-3.5 | 4.8-5.8 | 7.8-8.8 | 8-10 | |
| Stainless Steel | 10 | 1.8-2.5 | 3.2-3.8 | 5.6-7 | 6-8 |
| (N2) | 12 | 1.2-1.5 | 2.2-2.9 | 3.5-3.9 | 4.5-5.4 |
| 16 | 1.0-1.2 | 1.5-2.0 | 1.8-2.6 | 2.2-2.5 | |
| 20 | 0.6-0.8 | 0.95-1.1 | 1.5-1.9 | 1.4-6 | |
| 22 | 0.3-0.4 | 0.7-0.85 | 1.1-1.4 | 0.9-4 | |
| 25 | 0.15-0.2 | 0.4-0.5 | 0.45-0.65 | 0.7-1 | |
| 30 | 0.3-0.4 | 0.4-0.5 | 0.3-0.5 | ||
| 35 | 0.25-0.35 | ||||
| 40 | 0.2-0.25 |
Next, we can compare the parameters of the laser cutting machines when cutting different types of materials. For instance:
- When cutting carbon steel that is 4mm thick, a a 1000W laser cutting machine has a maximum cutting speed of 2.4m/min.
- When cutting stainless steel that is 4mm thick, a 1000W laser cutting machine has a maximum cutting speed of 1.3m/min.
Overall, the chart and comparisons can help in selecting the appropriate laser-cutting machine based on the type and thickness of the material to be cut.
Fiber Laser Cutting Thickness and Speed Parameters (IPG/Aluminum/1000W-4000W)
| 1000W | 1500W | 2000W | 3000W | 4000W | ||
| Thickness | Speed | Speed | Speed | Speed | Speed | |
| Material | (mm) | (m/min) | (m/min) | (m/min) | (m/min) | (m/min) |
| 1 | 10-13 | 14-18 | 20-28 | 30-40 | 40-55 | |
| 2 | 2.8-3.5 | 5.0-6.0 | 7-10 | 15-20 | 20-25 | |
| 3 | 2.0-2.6 | 4.5-6 | 8-10 | 13-15 | ||
| 4 | 1.4-1.6 | 2.5-3 | 5-6.5 | 7-9 | ||
| Aluminum | 5 | 1.3-1.6 | 2.8-3.5 | 5-7 | ||
| (N2) | 6 | 0.6-1 | 2-2.5 | 3-3.5 | ||
| 8 | 0.2-0.3 | 0.8-1.3 | 1.3-1.8 | |||
| 10 | 0.5-0.65 | 0.8-1 | ||||
| 12 | 0.3-0.45 | 0.6-0.8 | ||||
| 14 | 0.25-0.4 |
Fiber Laser Cutting Thickness and Speed Parameters (IPG/Aluminum/6000W-12000W)
| 6000W | 8000W | 10000W | 12000W | ||
| Thickness | Speed | Speed | Speed | Speed | |
| Material | (mm) | (m/min) | (m/min) | (m/min) | (m/min) |
| 1 | 60-80 | 60-80 | 60-80 | 55-60 | |
| 2 | 28-35 | 38-43 | 39-42 | 35-40 | |
| 3 | 18-22 | 24-26 | 25-30 | 25-30 | |
| 4 | 10-14 | 15-17 | 20-22 | 20-25 | |
| 5 | 8-10 | 10-12 | 14-16 | 13-15 | |
| 6 | 4.5-6 | 6.7-7.5 | 10-13 | 10-12.0 | |
| Aluminum | 8 | 2.0-2.8 | 3.2-4 | 7.8-8.8 | 5-6.0 |
| (N2) | 10 | 1.2-1.5 | 2.6-2.8 | 5.2-7 | 3.4-4 |
| 12 | 0.7-0.95 | 1.7-2.0 | 3.5-3.9 | 2-2.8 | |
| 14 | 1.1-1.3 | 1.8-2.6 | 1.3-1.7 | ||
| 16 | 0.5-0.7 | 0.8-1.1 | 1.5-1.9 | 1.2-1.5 | |
| 20 | 0.3-0.35 | 0.65-0.8 | 1.1-1.4 | 0.8-1 | |
| 25 | 0.2-0.25 | 0.5-0.6 | 0.45-0.65 | 0.55-0.75 | |
| 30 | 0.4-0.5 | 0.4-0.5 | 0.3-0.45 | ||
| 35 | 0.25-0.35 | ||||
| 40 | 0.2-0.3 |
Fiber Laser Cutting Thickness and Speed Parameters (IPG/Brass/1000W-4000W)
| 1000W | 1500W | 2000W | 3000W | 4000W | ||
| Thickness | Speed | Speed | Speed | Speed | Speed | |
| Material | (mm) | (m/min) | (m/min) | (m/min) | (m/min) | (m/min) |
| 1 | 15-18 | 22-30 | 26-40 | |||
| 2 | 4.5-5.5 | 10-14 | 15-20 | |||
| 3 | 3.2-3.8 | 5-7 | 8-12 | |||
| Brass | 4 | 1.5-1.8 | 3-4 | 5-6.5 | ||
| (N2) | 5 | 0.6-1 | 2-2.5 | 3-4 | ||
| 6 | 1.3-1.5 | 2.5-3 | ||||
| 8 | 0.5-0.8 | 1-1.5 | ||||
| 10 | 0.6-0.8 |
Fiber Laser Cutting Thickness and Speed Parameters (IPG/Brass/6000W-12000W)
| 6000W | 8000W | 10000W | 12000W | ||
| Thickness | Speed | Speed | Speed | Speed | |
| Material | (mm) | (m/min) | (m/min) | (m/min) | (m/min) |
| 1 | 40-50 | 50-60 | 50-60 | 60-70 | |
| 2 | 21-24 | 28-33 | 34-38 | 35-40 | |
| 3 | 14-16 | 16-18 | 20-23 | 28-32 | |
| 4 | 10-11 | 11-13 | 14-17 | 18-24 | |
| 5 | 7.0-8.0 | 8.5-9.2 | 10-13 | 13-16 | |
| Brass | 6 | 4.0-5.5 | 6.0-7.0 | 8.0-9.0 | 9-11 |
| (N2) | 8 | 2.2-3.0 | 4.0-5.0 | 6.0-7.0 | 6-8 |
| 10 | 1.3-1.6 | 2.2-2.8 | 3.0-3.8 | 4.5-5.5 | |
| 12 | 0.7-0.9 | 1.2-1.5 | 1.7-2.2 | 3.1-3.6 | |
| 15 | 0.5-0.6 | 0.7-0.9 | 1.4-1.8 | ||
| 18 | 1.2-1.5 | ||||
| 20 | 1-1.3 |
Factors to be considered in selecting a laser cutting machine
Power of laser cutting machine
If you only need to cut thin plates, a low-power laser cutting machine below 1000W is more suitable.
However, if your materials have both thick and thin parts and require mass production, it is recommended to choose a medium- to high-power laser cutting machine.
In this way, both thick and thin plates can be processed as long as the parameters are properly adjusted.
Material type and plate thickness
Laser cutting machines are widely used in sheet metal processing, automobile manufacturing, construction, and other fields.
They can cut a variety of materials, such as wood, acrylic, and plastic, but most are used for metal cutting, such as carbon steel, stainless steel, brass, aluminum, and more.
Cutting speed and effect vary with different materials and thicknesses.
When cutting highly anti-corrosive materials, such as aluminum and copper, the processing time should not be too long.
Auxiliary gas, such as oxygen, is required when cutting iron plates.
The smoothness of the cutting edge
The laser cutting edge needs to be flat, smooth, and free of burrs and stripes.
The cutting speed and the type of auxiliary gas used can affect the quality of the cutting edge.
In general, nitrogen and oxygen are the most commonly used auxiliary gases.
Nitrogen is an inert gas that does not cause discoloration or oxidation of metals.
Using nitrogen to cut metal plates produces a clean and flat cutting edge.
Oxygen is suitable for cutting low carbon steel because of its low pressure and high-speed characteristics.
Air is suitable for cutting thin metal plates, such as aluminum.
Laser cutting machine components
The most important component of a fiber laser cutting machine is the fiber laser source.
A high-quality fiber laser source has high efficiency, long service life, and low maintenance cost.
At present, the most widely used fiber laser source brands are IPG and Raycus.
Other components, such as laser cutting head, servo motor, water chiller, air cutting system, control system, stabilizer, etc., also need to be carefully selected.
Conclusion
The cutting speed of laser cutting machine will affect the cutting quality of metal plates. For example, stripes and burrs may appear on the cut surface.
Cutting plates of different thicknesses requires laser cutting machines of different power range. The power range of laser cutting machines produced by ADH ranges from 1000W to 20000W.
Our laser cutting machine uses raycus and IPG lasers. You can contact our sales for detailed product information.
