Fiber Laser Cutting Machine: Materials and Power Guide
Fiber laser cutting machines are popular for metal cutting because they have a very powerful laser beam that can cut different materials. The type and thickness of materials that you can cut with a laser depend on the power of the laser. Below is a detailed description of the materials and thicknesses you can cut with a fiber laser cutting machine based on the power of the machine.
1. Suitable Materials for Fiber Laser Cutting Machines
Fiber laser cutting machines are primarily designed for cutting metals, and they can handle the following common materials:
- Stainless Steel: I find fiber lasers excellent for cutting stainless steel sheets, producing clean, precise edges.
- Carbon Steel: With fiber laser cutting, carbon steel is efficiently cut with high precision and quality.
- Aluminum: Although highly reflective, aluminum can be effectively cut by adjusting the laser parameters.
- Copper and Brass: Fiber lasers can cut these highly reflective materials, but I recommend extra care to prevent damage to the laser from reflection.
- Titanium: This material is suitable for high-end applications, such as those in the aerospace and medical industries.
2. Laser Power and Material Thickness Table
Different power levels of fiber laser cutting machines can handle varying thicknesses of metal materials. Below is a table listing fiber laser machines from 500W to 30,000W, including the corresponding materials and their maximum cutting thicknesses.
Metal Materials Cutting Thickness (unit: mm)
| Laser Power (W) | Carbon Steel | Stainless Steel | Aluminum | Brass |
| 1000 | 0.8 – 10 | 0.8 – 5 | 0.8 – 3 | 1 – 3 |
| 2000 | 1 – 20 | 1 – 8 | 1 – 6 | 1 – 5 |
| 4000 | 1 – 25 | 1 – 15 | 1 – 10 | 1 – 8 |
| 6000 | 1 – 30 | 1 – 20 | 1 – 20 | 1 – 12 |
| 10000 | 1 – 45 | 1 – 40 | 1 – 40 | 1 – 20 |
| 15000 | 1 – 60 | 1 – 50 | 1 – 40 | 1 – 20 |
| 20000 | 1 – 70 | 1 – 60 | 1 – 50 | – |
| 30000 | 1 – 80 | 1 – 70 | 1 – 60 | – |
| 40000 | 1 – 100 | 1 – 80 | 1 – 70 | – |
3. Features and Applications of High-Power Laser Cutting Machines
- Advantages of High Power: The higher the power, the faster the cutting speed and the greater the ability to handle thick materials. Fiber laser cutters with 30,000W and above are designed for cutting very thick metal, significantly increasing production efficiency and cutting quality.
- Applications: These ultra-high-power fiber lasers are widely used in heavy industries such as shipbuilding, bridge construction, and heavy machinery manufacturing. They are particularly effective when processing large components and thick plates.
Advantages of High Power: The higher the power, the faster the cutting speed and the greater the ability to process thick materials. Fiber laser cutters with 30,000W and above are intended for cutting extremely thick metal, greatly improving production speed and cut quality.
Applications: Ultra-high power fiber lasers find wide application in heavy industries such as shipbuilding, bridge construction, and heavy machinery manufacturing. They are especially useful when processing thick plates and large components.
Conclusion
Fiber laser cutting machines can process an extensive range of metal materials, with cutting speed and maximum material thickness both increasing as laser power grows. From 500W to 30,000W, machines are available to meet the needs of different operations— from thin sheet metal to ultra-thick plates. It is important to select the proper laser power for your industrial application to ensure that you achieve maximum efficiency and quality in your production.
