In order to meet our customer's varying needs, we offer a range of laser powers from 100W to 500W. With each laser power, you will generally be able to cut the same materials up to the maximum thickness (example: 1" wood, 1" plastic, 1/16th" sheet metal, and so on), but the main differentiators in performance are speed and part quality. The greater the laser power, the greater the throughput.
However, the increase is not necessarily linear (i.e., it may be more or less than 2.5x the throughput when moving from a 100W laser to a 250W laser, and this increase will fluctuate based on the material). Higher powered lasers may also result in cleaner parts, especially in polycarbonate, metal and wood, due to the faster vaporization of materials (producing less HAZ). The other key difference is price—the higher the laser power, the more it will cost.
CHOOSING A LASER POWER
There are two added benefits to a 500W laser not found in the lower laser powers. With a 500W laser, you can cut aluminum and brass—this is not possible to do with lower powered lasers due to the high reflectivity of the materials. You can also perform "clean cutting" of metals—cutting with high pressure nitrogen for clean, non-oxidized edges.
If your throughput needs and production goals are high, you will be better off with a higher powered laser (250W or 500W). If you will be cutting metals as listed above, then you will need a 500W laser. If you simply need a machine to cut perfect parts, and do not require higher throughput, a 100W laser may be right for you.
To help determine the best laser power for you, decide on the following:
- How much throughput do you need?
- What are your production goals?
- Will you be cutting metals, and if so, do they need to have non-oxidized edges?
- Will you be cutting brass, aluminum or stainless steel?
- How does your budget affect your performance criteria, if it all?
Compare your answers to the table below to find the right fit for your needs:
Application
Requirements
|
Laser Power
Recommended and Considerations
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Thin materials
Non- metals such as:
Paper
Thin Acrylics
Polycarbonate
Mylar Stencils
|
100 Watt Average,
400 Watt peak power
The 100W is our least expensive laser. Thin materials, for example most plastics, fabrics and wood up to .040" can be cut at full speed (600" to 1200" per minute) by a 100 watt average power laser.
As materials get thicker, the machine can become power limited resulting in slower processing speeds. The user must then make a determination between increased throughput to be gained by increased laser power and increased cost of machine.
Generally, the improvement in process speed is proportional with laser power.
|
Thicker materials
Non-metals such as:
Thicker Plastics
Wood
Some Metals
|
250 watt to 500 watt average,
up to 1500 watt peak power
With thicker materials (up to 1") a lower power laser may quickly become power limited resulting in slow cutting speeds. A slower cutting process may lead to additional heat being absorbed by the part. This can result in chemical changes or HAZ damage.
In these cases, choosing a higher power laser will result in greater cutting speeds, cleaner cut results and more production throughput. The 250 Watt laser offers the best flexibility for thicker parts.
|
Metals
|
100 watt to 500 watt average,
up to 1500 watt peak power
When cutting Aluminum or Brass a 500 watt average power (with 1500 watt peak power) machine is required. This is due to the reflectivity of the materials. If Stainless Steel is to be "Clean Cut" using high-pressure nitrogen assist gas, a high power 500 watt machine is similarly required.
Stainless Steels, Cold Rolled Steel, Spring and Tool Steels may also be cut using Oxygen assist gas. The improved thermal reaction derived from the Oxygen assist gas allows thinner metals to be cut at good processing speeds by even the 100 watt average power laser. As metals get thicker (over .060"), higher laser power provides better results.
As mentioned above, the 500W laser will give you the greatest speed for all materials and thicknesses and will offer the least HAZ damage.
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Note: Laser Machining Centers are optimized for top cutting speeds of 600" to 1200" per minute.
If you have any further questions or are still unsure, please contact us so we can assist you in meeting your goals.
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