Laser Cutting - Production and Cutting Rates

Production and Cutting Rates

The maximum cutting rate (production rate) is limited by a number of factors including laser power, material thickness, process type (reactive or inert,) and material properties.

Common industrial systems (1 kW+) will cut carbon steel metal from 0.020–0.5 inch (0.51–13 mm) in thickness. For all intents and purposes, a laser can be up to thirty times faster than standard sawing.

Cutting rates for various materials and thicknesses using a CO2 laser (in/min)
Workpiece material Material thickness
0.02 in (0.51 mm) 0.04 in (1.0 mm) 0.08 in (2.0 mm) 0.125 in (3.2 mm) 0.25 in (6.4 mm) 0.5 in (13 mm)
Stainless steel 1000 550 325 185 80 18
Aluminium 800 350 150 100 40 30
Mild steel − 210 185 150 100 50
Titanium 300 300 100 80 60 40
Plywood − - − - 180 45
Boron / epoxy − - − 60 60 25

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