I. Introduction

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.

II. Fiber Laser Cutting Thickness and Speed Parameters

IPG laser cutting capacities

1. IPG/Carbon Steel/1000W-4000W

1000W1500W2000W3000W4000W
ThicknessSpeedSpeedSpeedSpeedSpeed
Material(mm)(m/min)(m/min)(m/min)(m/min)(m/min)
19-129-129-11/18-229-12/25-309-11/40-50
24.5-54.9-5.55-65-6/12-155-6/18-22
33-3.33.4-3.83.7-4.24-4.54-4.5/15-18
42.1-2.42.4-2.82.8-3.53.2-3.83.2-3.8/8-10
Carbon Steel51.6-1.82.0-2.42.5-2.83.2-3.43-3.5/4-5
(O2/N2/Air)61.3-1.51.6-1.92.0-2.53-3.22.8-3.2
80.9-1.11.1-1.31.2-1.52-2.32.3-2.6
100.7-0.90.9-1.01-1.21.5-1.72-2.2
120.7-0.80.9-1.10.8-11-1.5
140.6-0.70.7-0.90.8-0.90.85-1.1
160.6-0.750.7-0.850.8-1
200.65-0.80.6-0.9
220.6-0.7

2. IPG/Carbon Steel/6000W-12000W

6000W8000W10000W12000W
ThicknessSpeedSpeedSpeedSpeed
Material(mm)(m/min)(m/min)(m/min)(m/min)
110-12/
45-60		10-12/
50-60		10-12/
50-80
25-6/
26-30		5.5-6.8/
30-35		5.5-6.8/
38-43
34-4.5/
18-20		4.2-5.0/
20-25		4.2-5.0/
28-30
43.2-3.8/
13-15		3.7-4.5/
15-18		3.7-4.5/
18-21
53-3.5/
7-10		3.2-3.8/
10-12		3.2-3.8/
13-15
62.8-3.22.8-3.6/
8.2-9.2		2.8-3.6/
10.8-12
82.5-2.82.6-3.0/
5.0-5.8		2.6-3.0/
7.0-7.8
Carbon Steel102.0-2.52.1-2.6/
3.0-3.5		2.1-2.6/
3.8-4.6		2.2-2.6
(O2/N2/Air)121.8-2.21.9-2.31.9-2.32-2.2
141-1.81.1-1.81.1-1.81.8-2.2
160.85-1.50.85-1.20.85-1.21.5-2
200.75-1.00.75-1.10.75-1.11.2-1.7
220.7-0.80.7-0.850.7-0.850.7-0.85
250.6-0.70.6-0.80.6-0.80.6-0.8
300.4-0.5
350.35-0.45
400.3-0.4

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.
IPG laser source

3. IPG/Stainless Steel/1000W-4000W

1000W1500W2000W3000W4000W
ThicknessSpeedSpeedSpeedSpeedSpeed
Material(mm)(m/min)(m/min)(m/min)(m/min)(m/min)
112-1516-2020-2830-4040-55
24.5-5.55.5-7.07-1115-1820-25
31.5-22.0-2.84.5-6.58-1012-15
41-1.31.5-1.92.8-3.25.4-67-9
Stainless Steel50.6-0.80.8-1.21.5-22.8-3.54-5.5
(N2)60.6-0.81-1.31.8-2.62.5-4
80.6-0.81.0-1.31.8-2.5
100.6-0.81.0-1.6
120.5-0.70.8-1.2
160.25-0.35

4. IPG/Stainless Steel/6000W-12000W

6000W8000W10000W12000W
ThicknessSpeedSpeedSpeedSpeed
Material(mm)(m/min)(m/min)(m/min)(m/min)
160-8060-8060-8070-80
230-3536-4039-4242-50
319-2121-2425-3033-40
412-1515-1720-2225-28
58.5-1010-12.514-1617-20
65.0-5.87.5-8.511-1313-16
82.8-3.54.8-5.87.8-8.88-10
Stainless Steel101.8-2.53.2-3.85.6-76-8
(N2)121.2-1.52.2-2.93.5-3.94.5-5.4
161.0-1.21.5-2.01.8-2.62.2-2.5
200.6-0.80.95-1.11.5-1.91.4-6
220.3-0.40.7-0.851.1-1.40.9-4
250.15-0.20.4-0.50.45-0.650.7-1
300.3-0.40.4-0.50.3-0.5
350.25-0.35
400.2-0.25

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.

IPG laser source

5. IPG/Aluminum/1000W-4000W

1000W1500W2000W3000W4000W
ThicknessSpeedSpeedSpeedSpeedSpeed
Material(mm)(m/min)(m/min)(m/min)(m/min)(m/min)
110-1314-1820-2830-4040-55
22.8-3.55.0-6.07-1015-2020-25
32.0-2.64.5-68-1013-15
41.4-1.62.5-35-6.57-9
Aluminum51.3-1.62.8-3.55-7
(N2)60.6-12-2.53-3.5
80.2-0.30.8-1.31.3-1.8
100.5-0.650.8-1
120.3-0.450.6-0.8
140.25-0.4

6. IPG/Aluminum/6000W-12000W

6000W8000W10000W12000W
ThicknessSpeedSpeedSpeedSpeed
Material(mm)(m/min)(m/min)(m/min)(m/min)
160-8060-8060-8055-60
228-3538-4339-4235-40
318-2224-2625-3025-30
410-1415-1720-2220-25
58-1010-1214-1613-15
64.5-66.7-7.510-1310-12.0
Aluminum82.0-2.83.2-47.8-8.85-6.0
(N2)101.2-1.52.6-2.85.2-73.4-4
120.7-0.951.7-2.03.5-3.92-2.8
141.1-1.31.8-2.61.3-1.7
160.5-0.70.8-1.11.5-1.91.2-1.5
200.3-0.350.65-0.81.1-1.40.8-1
250.2-0.250.5-0.60.45-0.650.55-0.75
300.4-0.50.4-0.50.3-0.45
350.25-0.35
400.2-0.3

7. IPG/Brass/1000W-4000W

1000W1500W2000W3000W4000W
ThicknessSpeedSpeedSpeedSpeedSpeed
Material(mm)(m/min)(m/min)(m/min)(m/min)(m/min)
115-1822-3026-40
24.5-5.510-1415-20
33.2-3.85-78-12
Brass41.5-1.83-45-6.5
(N2)50.6-12-2.53-4
61.3-1.52.5-3
80.5-0.81-1.5
100.6-0.8

8. IPG/Brass/6000W-12000W

6000W8000W10000W12000W
ThicknessSpeedSpeedSpeedSpeed
Material(mm)(m/min)(m/min)(m/min)(m/min)
140-5050-6050-6060-70
221-2428-3334-3835-40
314-1616-1820-2328-32
410-1111-1314-1718-24
57.0-8.08.5-9.210-1313-16
Brass64.0-5.56.0-7.08.0-9.09-11
(N2)82.2-3.04.0-5.06.0-7.06-8
101.3-1.62.2-2.83.0-3.84.5-5.5
120.7-0.91.2-1.51.7-2.23.1-3.6
150.5-0.60.7-0.91.4-1.8
181.2-1.5
201-1.3

III. Factors to be Considered in Selecting a Laser-cutting Machine

1. 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.

2. 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.

laser cutting machine

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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

Raycus laser source

Other components, such as laser cutting head, servo motor, water chiller, air cutting system, control system, stabilizer, etc., also need to be carefully selected.

IV. Reasons for Differences in Cutting Speeds for Different Materials

CategoryFactorDescription
Material PropertiesThermal ConductivityMaterials with high thermal conductivity, such as copper and aluminum, dissipate heat quickly, making them more difficult to cut. Materials with low thermal conductivity, such as stainless steel, retain heat better,allowing for faster cuts.
ReflectivityHighly reflective materials such as aluminum and copper reflect most of the laser energy, making the cutting process less efficient. This requires slower cutting speeds or higher laser power.
Melting PointMaterials with higher melting points require more energy to reach the melting or vaporization point, which slows down the cutting process. For example, cutting titanium is generally slower than cutting mild steel due to its higher melting point.
Material ThicknessThicker materials require more time and energy to cut, resulting in slower cutting speeds. Thinner materials can be cut faster.
Material CompositionAlloys vs PureMetalsAlloys generally have different cutting properties compared to pure metals. For example, cutting stainless steel (alloy) may differ from cutting pure iron because the presence of chromium and nickel affects the cutting process.
relationship between Material Thickness and cutting speed

V. Conclusion

laser cutting machine

In the article, I have listed in detail the speed and thickness parameters of fiber laser cutting machines with different powers when cutting various materials. By comparing the performance of laser cutting machines with different powers on materials such as aluminum, carbon steel and stainless steel, we can better choose the equipment that suits our needs.

Whether it is a 1000W or 12000W laser cutting machine, each power has its unique advantages and application scenarios. I hope this data and analysis will help you make an informed decision when choosing a laser-cutting machine.

As a professional sheet metal manufacturer for over 40 years, my company, ADH Machine Tool, provides customers with high-quality laser cutting equipment and solutions. If you are interested in our products, please click on the Product Page for more details. I look forward to working with you.

Fiber Laser Cutting Speed (IPG Laser Source) infographic

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