Quality Cutting - Performance Review of 10kW+ Laser Cutter

An increasing number of clients, home and abroad, tend to choose a fiber laser cutting machine with the power of 10kW and above. The reason behind this trend is that a 10kW+ machine really possess superior advantages when it comes to its main performances, like cutting capability, cutting efficiency and cutting quality. Based on the practical experience from the first batch of users of 10kW+ laser cutter, we hereby summarize the below from a technical perspective to help you make a choice.

 

1. Cutting capability significantly increased

Cutting capability		6000W	12000W	15000W
Carbon steel	Stable processing	≤22mm	≤35mm	≤40mm
	Maximum	25mm	50mm	50mm
Stainless steel	Stable processing	≤14mm	≤22mm	≤25mm
	Maximum	30mm	50mm	70mm
Aluminum alloy	Stable processing	≤12mm	≤20mm	≤22mm
	Maximum	20mm	40mm	50mm
Brass	Stable processing	≤12mm	≤20mm	≤22mm
	Maximum	20mm	40mm	50mm
Note: for carbon steel, O2 used to realize this capability      By stable processing, we mean the cutting speed is more than 1m/min

 

 

 

           ▲60mm aluminum cutting

 

2. Cutting efficiency increased by double

▼Stainless Steel - efficiency increased up to400%

 

▼Carbon steel cutting- using air to realize high-speed for medium and thin sheet

 

KEY POINT: when we are smooth cutting carbon steel, there is a extreme power if the sheet thickness is certain.    

Ø If the actual power is less than the extreme power, cutting speed will increase as long with the increase of power

Ø If the actual power is higher than the extreme power, cutting speed remains and so does the cutting quality

smooth surface cutting carbon steel: relations between thickness and extreme power

Thickness	Extreme laser power
3mm	1500-2000w
6mm	3000-3500w
8mm	4000-4500w
10mm	4500-5000w
12mm	6000-7000w

 

Why does bight surface cutting for carbon steel have extreme power?

Analysis for smooth surface cutting of carbon steel by O2

 

▲O2 airflow diameter is smaller than that of laser spot

l Three functions of laser  

(1) preheating before cutting -- before cutting, the temperature of the steel plate is heated to the ignition point temperature (> 1000℃), so that it can be oxidized with oxygen at high temperature;  

(2) preheating in the process of cutting - the certain area in front of the cutting seam is heated to at least ignition point temperature, to ensure that the surface can be quickly oxidized when the cutting airflow gets through;

(3) Heat compensation at the cutting seam - at the cutting seam, the laser compensates for heat loss caused by heat conduction, radiation, slag removal to ensure the temperature of the cutting area;  

l Function of O2

Cutting function - strong exothermic oxidation reaction occurs between oxygen and high temperature iron to melt metal and blow away slag.  

 

smooth surface cutting condition

① Suitable for small nozzle cutting with small air flow diameter;

② In order to ensure that the plate surface spot diameter is wide enough, it is necessary to use large defocus distance when cutting;  

③ The thicker the sheet, the larger the spot diameter, which is larger defocus distance;

④ The light spot on the surface of the sheet should be heated to the ignition point temperature (> 1000℃). Extra high power will increase the heat input, resulting in overheating of the sheet to cause unfavorable cutting effect;  

It is obvious to see that for medium and thin carbon steel smooth surface cutting, 10kW+ laser cutter cannot bring the best of its performance. The solution is that we adopt air cutting to cut carbon steel like what we do for stainless steel, which can fully exploit the advantage of 10kW+ laser power and cut carbon steel with high speed. You can see from the chart that, when the carbon steel is no thicker than 12mm, the machine can work with full power to ensure high speed when we use air and the edge is also smooth enough.

 

3. Smoother surfaces and smaller taper ratio ensured

For 6kW machine, bilateral taper ratio can only be guaranteed with 0.1mm when cutting less than 14mm material, while a 12kW machine can do the same for 22mm. So the high power ensures more accuracy when it comes to thick sheet. Please check the below cutting sample to get a vivid demonstration.  

 

With all the superiority listed above, you might have no words against a 10kW above laser cutter. But I still need to remind you that it’s not only a rewarding investment, but also a risky one. Be wise when you choose, as not any company can harness such high power for stable production. Price should not be the only concern when you decide on the purchase, please take the company strength, R&D capability into account, and SENFENG is always your wise choice.

Whatsapp: 86-13210546543

E-mail: senfeng@sfcnclaser.com