CNC laser cutting machines have become an indispensable tool in the metal fabrication industry. Their precision, speed and versatility make them ideal for a wide range of applications, from aerospace to automotive manufacturing. As the thickness of the material increases, choosing the right laser cutting machine becomes crucial. So, what should we look for in a laser cutter when cutting thick metals?
Understanding the Basics of Laser Cutting Technology
Types of Lasers
There are many tools used to cut thick metals, including fiber laser cutters, carbon dioxide laser cutters, and plasma laser cutters. Fiber lasers are known for their high efficiency and cutting speeds, and are suitable for cutting all types of metal materials such as stainless steel and aluminum; CO2 lasers are versatile and can cut a wide range of materials such as metals, plastics, and wood; and plasma lasers use high-temperature plasma jets generated by an electric arc, which is also suitable for cutting metals. So who is better for thick metals? Here is a brief explanation.
Fiber Lasers
Fiber lasers are known for their high efficiency and high cutting speeds, and are particularly suitable for cutting metals such as stainless steel and aluminum. Compared to conventional lasers, fiber lasers have electro-optical conversion efficiencies of up to 25% to 30%, whereas CO2 lasers are typically only around 10%. This means that fiber lasers consume less energy and provide higher cutting speeds for the same amount of power.
When it comes to cutting thick metals, fiber lasers offer the following advantageous features:
Higher cutting accuracy: Fiber lasers typically have a wavelength of 1.06 microns, which is shorter than the 10.6 micron wavelength of CO2 lasers, allowing them to focus better on the metal surface and provide a finer cut.
Lower Maintenance Costs: Fiber lasers use optical fibers as the transmission medium, eliminating the need for complex optical adjustments and resulting in lower maintenance costs.
Longer Life: Fiber lasers typically have a component life in excess of 100,000 hours, whereas CO2 lasers have a relatively short component life.
CO2 Laser Cutting Machine
Co2 laser cutters are versatile and suitable for cutting a wide range of materials, including metals, plastics and wood. With a wavelength of 10.6 microns, they are suitable for cutting and engraving a variety of non-metallic materials. However, when it comes to cutting thick metals, carbon dioxide lasers are not as efficient or accurate as fiber lasers.
Versatility: CO2 lasers are capable of handling a wide range of materials, but require higher power to achieve the same results as fiber lasers in metal cutting.
Beam Quality: CO2 laser cutting machines have a lower beam quality, resulting in less accuracy than fiber lasers when cutting thick metals.
Plasma Laser Cutting Machine
Plasma lasers use an electric arc to produce a high temperature plasma jet that is ideal for cutting thick metals. Their cutting speed and thickness capabilities make them very popular in heavy industry, especially when cutting steel and other thick metals.
Cutting Thickness: Fiber laser cutting machines can cut metals over 30mm thick, while plasma and CO2 laser machines are usually suitable for metals up to 25mm thick.
Speed and Efficiency: When cutting very thick metals, plasma laser machines have a lower cutting accuracy compared to fiber laser machines. Fiber lasers provide higher cut quality and smoother cut edges in the same thickness range.
Laser Power and Metal Thickness
The relationship between laser power and metal thickness is critical. Higher power laser cutters can cut thicker materials more efficiently. For example, a 6,000 watt fiber laser cutter is ideal for cutting medium to thick sheet metal.
Determine your processing needs and budget
Different industries have unique requirements for thick metal cutting:
Different industries have their unique requirements for thick metal cutting, and fiber laser cutting machine shows significant advantages in these industries with its high efficiency and high precision.
Aerospace
Accuracy and material integrity are critical. In the aerospace industry, component accuracy and material integrity have a direct impact on aircraft safety and performance. Fiber laser cutting machines meet this need with their extremely high cutting accuracy and consistent performance. Its short wavelength laser beam enables extremely fine cutting lines and reduces the heat-affected zone, thus maintaining the integrity of the metal material and preventing thermal deformation and micro-cracking.
Automotive Manufacturing
High speed production and durability are critical. The automotive manufacturing industry requires cutting equipment that can support high-volume, high-speed production tasks while ensuring the durability of cut parts. The high cutting speeds and high performance of fiber laser cutting machines allow them to quickly process a wide range of metal sheets, increasing the efficiency of production lines. In addition, the low maintenance requirements and long life characteristics of fiber lasers reduce production downtime and maintenance costs, further enhancing productivity and economic efficiency.
Heavy Duty Equipment
Ability to cut very thick and hard metals. The heavy equipment manufacturing industry needs to cut very thick and hard metal materials such as steel. Fiber laser cutting machines are particularly good at cutting medium-thickness metals, typically up to 25 mm. Their high-power laser beam provides deep, precise cuts while maintaining smooth edges. In addition, the high power and efficiency characteristics of fiber laser cutting machines give them superior performance when working with thick metal materials.
Evaluate throughput and material range
Evaluate the type and thickness of materials you will be cutting on a regular basis. This helps in choosing a machine that can meet production needs without over-investing in features you don’t need.
Have more question? Let our engineers help you!
main performance parameters affecting thick metal cutting
Among the factors affecting the fiber laser cutting machine to cut thick metal, the laser power, laser system and so on are also very important.
Power and Efficiency
Higher power lasers, such as the 6000W Fiber Laser Cutting Machine, not only cut faster, but also provide greater accuracy when cutting thick metals. Efficiency is a key factor when selecting a laser; a highly efficient laser can reduce operating costs and significantly increase productivity. Examples:
1000W Fiber Laser: For cutting carbon steel between 1mm and 8mm thick. Lasers of this power are suitable for thin plate cutting with high precision and low cost.
3000W Fiber Laser: capable of effectively cutting carbon steel up to 16mm thick. For medium thickness materials, this power offers a good balance of speed and cut quality.
6000W Fiber Laser: Suitable for cutting carbon steel up to 25mm thick. This high power laser excels when working with thicker metals, cutting faster, with smoother edges and greater accuracy.
10,000W Fiber Laser and Higher: capable of cutting carbon steel over 25mm. For extremely thick materials, the high power laser not only increases cutting speed, but also ensures cut stability and quality.
Machine bed stability
The stability of the machine bed is essential for cutting thicker metals. A stable and sturdy bed ensures accurate cutting and minimizes vibrations that can affect the quality of the cut. Currently, most manufacturers of fiber laser cutting machines use plate-welded beds. Such beds are weighted and stress-annealed to make them less prone to deformation, thus providing better stability. This process not only enhances the rigidity of the bed, but also improves its durability and reliability in high-intensity operations. Therefore, choosing a fiber laser cutting machine with a high-quality plate-welded bed is critical to improving the effectiveness and accuracy of thick metal cutting.
Cooling System
The cooling system plays a crucial role in fiber laser cutting machines. An effective cooling system not only extends the service life of the laser, but also ensures high cutting quality. Since high power lasers generate a lot of heat during operation, an efficient cooling system is essential. Currently, water cooling systems are commonly used in the fiber laser cutting machine industry.
Automation and software compatibility
Modern CNC laser cutting machines have automation features such as automatic material loading and scrap removal. User-friendly software that integrates seamlessly with existing systems increases productivity and ease of use.
Vendor and service considerations
Evaluating suppliers
When choosing a supplier, you need to consider its experience in the industry, technical expertise and level of after-sales service. Reliable suppliers should have rich experience in the industry, be able to provide professional technical support and have a sound after-sales service system. Specifically, attention should be paid to the following aspects:
Industry experience: Preference should be given to suppliers with many years of experience in the field of laser cutting machines, who usually have in-depth understanding of market demand and technology development.
Technical expertise: Suppliers should have strong R&D and production capabilities and be able to provide high-quality products and solutions.
After-sales service: Good suppliers will provide comprehensive after-sales service, including on-site demonstration, cutting test and systematic training support. These services can help customers better understand and use the equipment and improve productivity.
Warranty and after-sales support
When choosing a supplier, you should also scrutinize the terms of the warranty they offer, including coverage and duration. A reliable supplier should offer an exhaustive warranty and ensure fast repair response time and spare parts availability to minimize equipment downtime. Specifically, consider the following:
Warranty terms: Understand the specifics of the warranty coverage and its validity period to ensure that comprehensive support is available during the warranty period.
Maintenance response time: examine the supplier’s maintenance response speed, fast maintenance response to reduce production downtime, to protect the continuity of production.
Spare parts supply: the supplier should have sufficient spare parts inventory, and can be quickly provided when needed, to ensure that the equipment can be repaired and maintained in a timely manner.
conclusions
Investing in a CNC laser cutting machine for thicker metal cutting is a major decision that requires careful consideration of a number of factors. By understanding the basics of laser cutting technology, evaluating your specific needs and budget, assessing key performance parameters, and considering supplier and service support, you can make an informed choice that meets your production requirements and delivers a good return on investment.
In addition, as a metal laser cutting machine supplier, DXTECH has a significant advantage in thick metal cutting. We have prepared different laser solutions for different industries, and DXTECH’s fiber laser cutting machines not only excel in cutting speed and accuracy, but also have highly efficient cooling systems and stable machine bed structures to ensure excellent performance in thick metal processing. Any inquiries interested in the machine or DXTECH are welcome.