The power of a laser cutting machine is directly related to the thickness of the material it can process. Generally, a 6000W–12000W flatbed laser cutter can handle stainless steel plates from 0.5–70mm, carbon steel plates from 0.5–60mm, and aluminum plates from 0.5–50mm, depending on the material.
Below is a guide for cutting thickness across common metals at different power levels:
Cutting Thickness Guide by Power Level:
1000W Laser Cutting Machine:
Carbon steel: 0.8–10mm
Stainless steel: 0.8–5mm
Aluminum alloy: 0.8–3mm
Brass: 1–3mm
1500W Laser Cutting Machine:
Carbon steel: 1–16mm
Stainless steel: 1–6mm
Aluminum alloy: 1–4mm
Brass: 1–3mm
2000W Laser Cutting Machine:
Carbon steel: 1–20mm
Stainless steel: 1–8mm
Aluminum alloy: 1–6mm
Brass: 1–5mm
3000W–3300W Laser Cutting Machine:
Carbon steel: 1–22mm
Stainless steel: 1–10mm
Aluminum alloy: 1–8mm
Brass: 1–6mm
4000W Laser Cutting Machine:
Carbon steel: 1–25mm
Stainless steel: 1–15mm
Aluminum alloy: 1–10mm
Brass: 1–8mm
6000W Laser Cutting Machine:
Carbon steel: 1–30mm
Stainless steel: 1–20mm
Aluminum alloy: up to 20mm
Brass: 1–12mm
12000W Laser Cutting Machine:
Maximum stainless steel thickness: 40mm
Note: Cutting quality beyond 25mm may be less consistent, while thicknesses below 25mm typically achieve bright and smooth cuts.
15000W Laser Cutting Machine: Offers superior cutting capabilities but at a significantly higher price.
Factors Affecting Cutting Performance:
The cutting ability of a laser cutting machine in practical applications depends on several factors, including the quality of the machine, the type of laser source, cutting environment, cutting speed, and the use of assist gases, which can enhance performance. As a result, there is no absolute standard for determining cutting thickness. For example:
Carbon steel cutting relies primarily on oxygen combustion.
Stainless steel cutting is heavily influenced by power output.
Example Application: A 3000W fiber laser cutting machine can generally cut up to 22mm thick carbon steel plates. Stainless steel is slightly more challenging, and increasing the cutting thickness often comes at the expense of edge quality and cutting speed.
For information about metal surface treatment processes and sheet metal fabrication services, feel free to contact MulanMfg Sheet Metal Fabrication, a leading sheet metal manufacturing service provider in China. We specialize in ODM/OEM metal processing and continuously update industry insights while delivering high-quality sheet metal services for your reference.
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