Laser Cutting Thickness & Speed Chart (500W-30kW)

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I. Laser Cutting Thickness & Speed Chart

Laser Cutting

1. 500W – 12kW Laser Cutting Speed Chart

Unit: m/min

Metals500W1000W15002000W3000W4000W6000W8000W10kW12kW
Thicknessspeedspeedspeedspeedspeedspeedspeedspeedspeedspeed
Mild Steel
(Q235A)		17.0–9.08.0–1015–2624–3030–4033–4235–4235–4235–4235–42
23.0–4.54.0–6.54.5–7.04.7–6.04.8–7.55.2–8.06.0–8.06.2–107.0–1210–13
31.8–3.02.4–3.02.6–4.03.0–4.83.3–5.03.5–5.53.8–6.54.0–7.04.2–7.54.5–8.0
41.3–1.52.0–2.42.5–3.02.8–3.53.0–4.23.1–4.83.5–5.03.5–5.53.5–5.53.5–5.5
50.9–1.11.5–2.02.0–2.52.2–3.02.6–3.52.7–3.63.3–4.23.3–4.53.3–4.53.3–4.8
60.6–0.91.4–1.61.6–2.21.8–2.62.3–3.22.5–3.42.8–4.03.0–4.23.0–4.23.0–4.2
80.8–1.21.0–1.41.2–1.81.8–2.62.0–3.02.2–3.22.5–3.52.5–3.52.5–3.5
100.6–1.00.8–1.11.1–1.31.2–2.01.5–2.01.8–2.52.2–2.72.2–2.72.2–2.7
120.5–0.80.7–1.00.9–1.21.0–1.61.2–1.81.2–2.01.2–2.11.2–2.11.2–2.1
140.5–0.70.7–0.80.9–1.40.9–1.21.5–1.81.7–1.91.7–1.91.7–1.9
160.6-0.70.7–1.00.8–1.00.8–1.50.9–1.70.9–1.70.9–1.7
180.4–0.60.6–0.80.65–0.90.65–0.90.65–0.90.65–0.90.65–0.9
200.5–0.80.6–0.90.6–0.90.6–0.90.6–0.90.6–0.9
220.4–0.60.5–0.80.5–0.80.5–0.80.5–0.80.5–0.8
250.3–0.50.3–0.50.3–0.70.3–0.70.3–0.7
Stainless Steel
(201)		18.0–1318–2520–2724–3030–3532–4045–5550–6660–7570–85
22.4–5.07.0–128.0–139.0–1413–2116–2820–3530–4240–5550–66
30.6–0.81.8–2.53.0–5.04.0–6.56.0–107.0–1515–2420–3027–3833–45
41.2–1.31.5–2.43.0–4.54.0–6.05.0–8.010–1614–2118–2522–32
50.6–0.70.7–1.31.8-2.53.0–5.04.0–5.58.0–1212–1715–2218–25
60.7–1.01.2-2.02.0–4.02.5–4.56.0–9.08.0–14.012–1515–21
80.7-1.01.5–2.01.6–3.04.0–5.06.0–8.08.0–12.010–16
100.6–0.80.8–1.21.8–2.53.0–5.06.0–8.08.0–12
120.4–0.60.5–0.81.2–1.81.8–3.03.0–5.06.0–8.0
140.4–0.60.6–0.81.2–1.81.8–3.03.0–5.0
200.4–0.60.6–0.71.2–1.81.8–3.0
250.5–0.60.6–0.71.2–1.8
300.4–0.50.5–0.60.6–0.7
400.4–0.50.5–0.6
Aluminum14.0–5.56.0–1010–2015–2525–3835–4045–5550–6560–7570–85
20.7–1.52.8–3.65.0–7.07–1010–1813–2520–3025–3833–4538–50
30.7–1.52.0–4.04.0–6.06.5–8.07.0–1313–1820–3025–3530–40
41.0–1.52.0–3.03.5–5.04.0–5.510–1213–1821–3025–38
50.7–1.01.2–1.82.5–3.53.0–4.55.0–8.09.0–1213–2015–25
60.7–1.01.5–2.52.0–3.54.0–6.04.5–8.09.0–1213–18
80.6–0.80.7–1.00.9–1.62.0–3.04.0–6.04.5–8.09.0–12
100.4–0.70.6–1.51.0–2.02.2–3.04.0–6.04.5–8.0
120.3-0.450.4–0.60.8–1.41.5–2.02.2–3.04.0–6.0
160.3–0.40.6–0.81.0–1.61.5–2.02.2–3.0
200.5–0.70.7–1.01.0–1.61.5–2.0
250.5–0.70.7–1.01.0–1.6
350.5–0.70.7–1.0
Brass14.0–5.56.0–108.0–1310–1620–3525–3045–5555–6565–7575–85
20.5–1.02.8–3.63.0–4.54.5–7.56.0–108.0–1225–3030–4033–4538–50
30.5–1.01.5–2.52.5–4.04.0–6.05.0–6.512–1820–3025–4030–50
41.0–1.61.5–2.03.0-5.03.2–5.58.0–1010–1815–2425–33
50.5–0.70.9–1.21.5–2.02.0–3.04.5–6.07.0–9.09.0–1515–24
60.4–0.71.0–1.81.4–2.03.0–4.54.5–6.57.0–9.09.0–15
80.5–0.70.7–1.01.6–2.22.4–4.04.5–6.57.0–9.0
100.2–0.40.8–1.21.5–2.22.4–4.04.5–6.5
120.2–0.40.8–1.51.5–2.22.4–4.0
140.4–0.60.6–0.80.8–1.5

Note:

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The following data in the laser cutting thickness & speed chart is for reference only!

Several factors can affect the cutting speed in laser technology, such as fiber optics, material quality, gases, optical lenses, cutting patterns, and other site-specific conditions that require adjustments.

The diagram shows that the yellow section represents pure nitrogen cutting, while the blue section represents pure oxygen cutting.

It is important to note that laser cutting may not be efficient when working with limited materials, which can result in suboptimal outcomes and hinder continuous processing.

When cutting highly anti-corrosive materials such as copper and aluminum, it is crucial to pay special attention to adjusting the process.

It is not recommended to process continuously for extended periods of time to avoid potential damage.

Laser Cutting Thickness and Speed Chart
Fig. Laser Cutting Thickness and Speed Chart

2. 750W Laser

Power750w
MaterialThickness
(mm)		Speed
（m/min）		Pressure
（MPA）		Gas
Stainless steel0.5>211N2
112~18>1.1
23.6~4.2>1.5
31.2~1.8>1.8
40.78~1.2>2.0
Carbon steel112~181O2
24.2~5.40.6~0.8
33~3.90.25~0.4
41.8~2.40.15~0.2
51.2~1.80.15~0.2
60.9~1.20.10~0.15
80.72~1.840.10~0.15

3. 20kW Laser Cutting Speed

Unit: m/min

MetalMild SteelStainless SteelAluminumBrass
Thickness
(mm)		O2O2MixAirN2AirN2N2
(Positive Focus)(Negative Focus)(Mixed Gas/N2 Generator)
17.0-10.0/30.0-80.030.0-80.030.0-80.030.0-80.030.0-80.030.0-80.0
25.0-7.0/30.0-50.030.0-50.030.0-50.030.0-50.030.0-50.030.0-50.0
34.5-6.0/25.0-40.025.0-40.025.0-40.025.0-40.025.0-40.025.0-45.0
43.5-3.9/25.0-35.025.0-35.025.0-35.025.0-35.025.0-35.020.0-35.0
53.2-3.5/20.0-28.020.0-28.020.0-28.020.0-28.020.0-28.014.0-24.0
62.9-3.2/18.0-28.018.0-28.018.0-28.018.0-28.018.0-28.012.0-20.0
82.5-2.73.2-3.813.0-16.013.0-16.013.0-16.013.0-18.013.0-18.08.0-13.0
101.9-2.23.2-3.68.0-10.08.0-10.08.0-10.08.0-11.09.0-12.06.0-9.0
121.8-2.13.1-3.57.0-8.07.0-8.07.0-8.07.0-8.55.0-7.54.0-6.0
141.6-1.83.0-3.45.5-6.55.5-6.55.5-6.55.5-7.04.5-5.53.5-4.5
161.5-1.73.0-3.34.0-5.04.0-5.04.0-5.04.0-5.32.5-4.53.0-4.0
181.5-1.63.0-3.33.0-3.8/3.0-3.83.0-4.02.0-3.52.5-3.5
201.3-1.52.6-3.22.6-3.2/2.6-3.32.6-3.61.5-2.01.5-2.5
22////1.6-2.61.6-2.81.2-1.8/
250.8-1.32.2-2.8//1.2-2.01.2-2.21.0-1.50.5-0.8
300.7-1.22.0-2.7//0.8-1.00.8-1.20.7-1.20.3-0.5
35////0.4-0.70.4-0.80.5-0.9/
400.8-1.11.0-1.3//0.3-0.60.3-0.70.3-0.5/
500.3-0.6///0.2-0.40.2-0.40.2-0.3/
600.2-0.5///0.2-0.3/0.1-0.2/
Note: The above cutting parameters are factory test data from the equipment, provided for reference only.

4. 30kW Laser Cutting Speed

Thickness
（mm）		MetalCutting Speed
(m/min)		Auxiliary Gas
1Mild Steel10.0-15.0/30.0-80.0O2/N2
26.0-8.0/30.0-50.0
35.0-6.0/30.0-40.0
43.5-3.9/25.0-35.0
53.2-3.5/22.0-30.0
62.9-3.2/18.0-22.0
82.5-3.7/14.0-18.0
102-3.6/12.0-14.0
121.8-3.3/10.0-12.0
161.4-3.2/6.0-8.0
201.3-2.8/4.0-5.5
251.1-2.2/2.5-3.5
301.0-1.7O2
400.7-0.9
500.3-0.4
600.15-0.2
1Stainless Steel30.0-80.0N2
230.0-50.0
325.0-45.0
425.0-35.0
520.0-28.0
624.0-32.0
820.0-27.0
1016.0-22.0
1211.0-13.0
167.5-9.5
204.5-5.5
252.5-3.0
301.5-2.1
351.0-1.1
400.6-0.8
500.2-0.3
600.1-0.2
700.1-0.16
1Aluminum30.0-80.0N2
230.0-60.0
325.0-50.0
425.0-40.0
523.0-35.0
622.0-30.0
818.0-25.0
1010.0-14.0
125.8-8.5
163.5-8.0
182.5-6.5
202.0-4.0
221.5-3.0
251.0-2.0
300.8-1.5
350.6-1.2
400.5-1.0
500.4-0.6
600.3-0.4
1Brass30.0-80.0N2
230.0-50.0
325.0-45.0
424.0-35.0
517.0-24.0
612.0-20.0
89.0-15.0
106.0-10.0
123.7-6.5
162.4-3.3
201.1-2.4
250.7-1.6
300.55-0.9

See also:

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II. Parameters for Laser Cutting Stainless Steel

Stainless steel material thicknessmm1234568
Incident beam diametermm19191919191919
Cutting auxiliary gasN2N2N2N2N2N2N2
Auxiliary gas pressurebar8101315171820
Cutting nozzle diametermm1.5222222.5
Position of the cutting nozzle relative to the materialmm110.80.80.880.8
Cutting seam widthmm0.10.10.120.120.120.120.12
Lens focal lengthinch5555557.5
Focal point position-0.5-1-23-3.5-4.5-6
Piercing
Laser ModeSPSPSPSPSPSPSP
Laser FrequencyHz200200200250250250250
Laser PowerW6008008001100110013501350
Duty Cycle%20252525252525
Delay TimeSec220.51112
Focal Positionmm-0.5-1-20000
Auxiliary O2 Pressurebar1112111
Small Hole
Laser ModeSPSPSPCWCWCWCW
Laser FrequencyHz200750750
Laser PowerW800120012001500150018002200
Duty Cycle%255055
Feed Ratemm/min50013001000900700800500
Large Hole
Laser ModeCWCWCWCWCWCWCW
Laser PowerW1200150015002200220022002200
Feed Ratemm/min300025001800160013001000500
Cutting
Laser ModeCWCWCWCWCWCWCW
Laser PowerW800110018001800180015001500
Feed Ratemm/min15002000250013501100500-800275
Laser ModeCWCWCWCWCWCWCW
Laser PowerW1500180022002200220022001800
Feed Ratemm/min400035002700160013001000350
Laser ModeCWCWCW
Laser PowerW180022002200
Feed Ratemm/min56003750500
Laser ModeCW
Laser PowerW2200
Feed Ratemm/min6000
  • CW-Continuous Wave
  • SP-Super Pulse
  • GP-Gated Pulse
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Precautions:

For oxygen-assisted cutting, additional thickness and other material parameters are related to the PRC parameters.

At the highest cutting speed, the edge trimming quality and cutting gas pressure depend on the alloy composition of the material and the purity of the cutting gas.

After the oxygen cutting is completed, the oxygen must be purified; otherwise, the mixture of oxygen and nitrogen will cause the cutting edge to turn blue or brown.

When cutting material with thickness ≥4mm, the parameters for cutting small holes should be used when cutting φ1.5mm holes, with oxygen pressure at 4Bar (60Psi), or the starting cutting speed is 20~30% of the normal cutting speed.

Cutting small holes refers to holes with a diameter ≤5mm and a thickness ≤3mm, or a thickness >3mm and a hole diameter not larger than the thickness of the plate.

Cutting large holes refers to holes with a diameter >5mm and a thickness ≤3mm, or a thickness >3mm and a hole diameter larger than the thickness of the plate.

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4 thoughts on “Laser Cutting Thickness & Speed Chart (500W-30kW)”

  2. Walter W Kennison

    am wondering about the kerf .. is the cut acceptable at the slower speeds/upper limits of the thickness for performance of each wattage?

    Reply

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