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Laser Cutting Parameter Table For Quick Reference

1. Overview of Laser Cutting Parameter Table

In the laser cutting of metal sheets, process parameters directly determine cutting quality, cutting efficiency, equipment stability, and production costs.

For laser cutting process engineers, equipment debugging personnel, and on-site operators, establishing standardized parameter quick reference tables can significantly improve machine setup efficiency, reduce trial cutting time, and quickly achieve stable processing.

This laser cutting parameter quick reference table is primarily applicable to:

Fiber laser cutting machines
Low- and medium-power laser equipment
High-power laser equipment
Automated laser cutting production lines
Sheet metal processing plants
Steel structure processing industry
Kitchenware industry
Elevator industry
Construction machinery industry
Electrical cabinet industry

This data includes:

Carbon steel cutting parameters
Stainless steel cutting parameters
Aluminum plate cutting parameters
Brass cutting parameters
Copper cutting parameters
Zipper plate parameters
Parameters for different thicknesses
Parameters for different gases
Focus parameters
Perforation parameters
Nozzle parameters
High-frequency and low-frequency parameters
Flying cut parameters
Micro-connection parameters
Thick plate parameters
High-speed cutting parameters
High-power parameters
Common defect correction parameters

However, laser cutting machines from different manufacturers, models, and configurations vary. The following laser cutting parameter table is for user reference only.

2. Explanation of Core Parameters for Laser Cutting

Laser Cutting Core Parameter Table:

Parameter Name	Parameter Functions	Adjustment Direction
Laser Power	Determines cutting capacity	Higher power means stronger cutting ability for thicker plates
Cutting Speed	Determines processing efficiency	Too fast, incomplete cut; too slow, edge burns
Focus Position	Determines kerf quality	Positive focus is suitable for thin plates; negative focus is suitable for thick plates
Gas Pressure	Determines slag removal capacity	Thick plates require higher air pressure
Nozzle Diameter	Determines airflow pattern	Thick plates use larger nozzles
Frequency	Determines pulse density	High frequency is suitable for thin plates
Duty Cycle	Determines heat input	Affects edge quality
Piercing Time	Determines drilling stability	Thick plates require longer drilling times
Kirch Compensation	Determines dimensional accuracy	Especially important for precision parts

3. Quick Reference Table for Carbon Steel Cutting Parameters

1000W Fiber Laser Carbon Steel Cutting Parameter Table:

Thickness	Gases	Pressure	Speed	Focus
1mm	Oxygen	0.5bar	18-25m/min	+1
2mm	Oxygen	0.6bar	10-15m/min	+0.5
3mm	Oxygen	0.7bar	6-8m/min	0
4mm	Oxygen	0.8bar	3-5m/min	-0.5
5mm	Oxygen	0.9bar	2-3m/min	-1
6mm	Oxygen	1.0bar	1-2m/min	-1.5

3000W Fiber Laser Carbon Steel Cutting Parameter Table:

Thickness	Gases	Pressure	Speed	Focus
1mm	Nitrogen	12bar	35m/min	+1
2mm	Nitrogen	14bar	25m/min	+0.5
4mm	Oxygen	0.8bar	8-10m/min	-0.5
6mm	Oxygen	0.9bar	4-5m/min	-1
8mm	Oxygen	1.0bar	2-3m/min	-1.5
10mm	Oxygen	1.1bar	1.5-2m/min	-2
12mm	Oxygen	1.2bar	1-1.5m/min	-2.5

4. Quick Reference Table for Stainless Steel Laser Cutting Parameters

304 Stainless Steel Laser Cutting Parameter Table:

Thickness	Power	Gases	Pressure	Speed	Focus
1mm	1500W	Nitrogen	14bar	25m/min	+1
2mm	1500W	Nitrogen	15bar	15m/min	+0.5
3mm	2000W	Nitrogen	16bar	8-10m/min	0
4mm	3000W	Nitrogen	18bar	5-6m/min	-0.5
6mm	6000W	Nitrogen	20bar	2-3m/min	-1
8mm	12000W	Nitrogen	22bar	1.5-2m/min	-1.5

Stainless steel cutting techniques:

High-purity nitrogen must be ensured.
Nozzles must be concentric.
Protective lenses must be clean.
Stable airflow is extremely important.
Overheating must be avoided during high-speed cutting.

5. Quick Reference Table for Aluminum Plate Cutting Parameters

Aluminum Plate Laser Cutting Parameter Table:

Thickness	Power	Gases	Pressure	Speed	Focus
1mm	2000W	Nitrogen	18bar	12m/min	+0.5
2mm	3000W	Nitrogen	20bar	5m/min	0
4mm	6000W	Nitrogen	22bar	2m/min	-1
6mm	12000W	Nitrogen	24bar	1m/min	-1.5
8mm	20000W	Nitrogen	18bar	12m/min	+0.5

Precautions for cutting aluminum plates:

High reflectivity of aluminum plates
Reflective backlighting must be prevented from damaging the laser
It is recommended to use a high-reflectivity cutting head
Frequent inspections are necessary to protect the lens
Drilling must be done slowly and steadily

6. Laser Cutting Parameters for Brass and Copper

Brass Laser Cutting Table:

Thickness	Power	Gases	Speed
1mm	3000W	Nitrogen	15m/min
2mm	6000W	Nitrogen	6m/min
4mm	12000W	Nitrogen	2m/min

Copper Laser Cutting Table:

Thickness	Power	Gases	Speed
1mm	3000W	Nitrogen	10m/min
2mm	6000W	Nitrogen	4m/min
4mm	12000W	Nitrogen	1m/min

7. Quick Reference Table for Laser Cutting Nozzle Selection

Thickness	Recommended nozzle
1-3mm	Single layer 1.0
4-6mm	Single layer 1.2
8-12mm	Single layer 1.5
14-20mm	Double layer 2.0
over20mm	Double layer 2.5

8. Focus Adjustment Quick Reference Table

Materials	Thin plate focus	Thick plate focus
Carbon steel	Positive focus	negative focus
Stainless steel	Micro positive focus	slightly negative focus
Aluminum plate	Positive focus	slightly negative focus
Copper plate	Positive focus	negative focus

Focal focus rules:

Lower focal length results in stronger cutting capability for thicker plates
Higher focal length results in faster cutting speed for thinner plates
Negative focal length is more conducive to slag removal
Positive focal length is more conducive to high-speed cutting

9. Quick Reference Table for Laser Perforation Parameters

Plate thickness	Drilling methods	Time
1-3mm	High-frequency instantaneous drilling	0.1-0.3s
4-8mm	Ordinary drilling	0.5-1s
10-20mm	Progressive drilling	2-5s
Over 20mm	Graded drilling	5-15s

10. Common Defects and Parameter Corrections

1) Severe Burrs

Causes:

Excessive speed

Insufficient power

Focus deviation

Insufficient air pressure

Solutions:

Reduce speed
Increase power
Adjust focus
Increase air pressure

2) Severe Edge Burning

Causes:

Excessive speed
Heat buildup
Excessive power

Solutions:

Increase speed
Reduce power
Use flying cut

3) Severe Slag Retention

Causes:

Insufficient air pressure
Nozzle blockage
Focus too high

Solutions:

Increase air pressure
Replace nozzle
Lower focus

11. High-Power Laser Cutting Parameter Strategies

With the widespread adoption of 12000W, 20000W, and 30000W ultra-high power equipment, cutting processes have undergone significant changes.

High-Power Features:

Strong Thick Plate Capability
Significant High-Speed Cutting Advantages
More Concentrated Heat
Narrower Process Window
Higher Airflow Requirements

High-Power Process Core:

Stable Airflow
Precise Focus
High-Speed Dynamic Response
Automatic Focusing System
Intelligent Drilling Control

12. Laser Cutting Parameter Optimization Logic

Excellent process engineers must establish a complete parameter optimization logic.

Core Adjustment Sequence:

Power
Focus
Air Pressure
Nozzle
Speed
Frequency
Duty Cycle
Lead Wire
Drilling

Adjustment Principles:

Adjust only one parameter at a time
Keep variables unique
Establish a standard database
Record optimal parameters
Establish material archives

13. Future Trends of Intelligent Process Database

The future of laser cutting technology will gradually enter the era of AI intelligence.

Future directions include:

AI-powered automatic parameter tuning
Automatic material identification
Automatic path optimization
Intelligent perforation control
Real-time quality monitoring
Automatic process correction
Cloud-based process database
Self-learning system

Future laser cutting will no longer rely on “experienced master craftsmen,” but rather on data-driven, intelligent, and automated process systems.

14. Summary

Laser cutting parameters are the core technological foundation of the entire laser processing industry. The laser cutting parameter table above, provided for user convenience, is for reference only. Different manufacturers, models, and configurations of laser cutting machines will have variations. Users should determine and use parameters based on their specific circumstances.

Truly excellent cutting results do not solely rely on high-end equipment, but rather on: