What is focal position and why does it matter?

Focal position is where the laser beam is most concentrated relative to the material surface. Negative focus (below surface) provides deeper penetration for thick materials. Positive focus (above surface) gives cleaner cuts on reflective materials like aluminum. Zero focus (on surface) balances speed and quality.

Why does stainless steel require high nitrogen pressure?

In many bright-cut stainless applications, higher nitrogen pressures (for example in the teens of bar) are used to help limit oxidation and blow molten material out of the kerf. The exact range should come from your machine cut charts and gas supplier data; running well below your validated range can lead to discolored edges that may require secondary finishing.

How do I choose the right nozzle diameter?

A common pattern in many cut charts is to use smaller nozzles on thinner materials and larger diameters on thick plate. In this reference, thin materials (for example 1-3 mm) are paired with 1.0-2.0 mm example nozzle sizes, medium thicknesses (4-8 mm) with 2.0-3.0 mm, and thicker sections (10 mm+) with 3.0-3.5 mm. Always follow the nozzle recommendations in your machine documentation and gas delivery system.

Can I use these parameters on my laser system?

These are baseline parameters for modern fiber lasers. Your specific system may require adjustments based on beam quality, nozzle design, material quality, and environmental conditions. Always start with conservative parameters and optimize through testing.

Why is oxygen pressure lower than nitrogen pressure?

Oxygen cutting relies on an exothermic reaction that adds heat to the cut, so many cut charts use relatively low oxygen pressures compared to nitrogen. Nitrogen cutting is primarily thermal and often requires significantly higher pressures to blow molten material out effectively. The specific pressure ranges and cost impact should be taken from your own machine documentation, gas supply, and cost models.

Laser Cutting Processing Parameters Reference

Example processing parameter tables for fiber laser cutting across materials and thicknesses that should be calibrated against your own machine cut charts, OEM recommendations, and test cuts.

Parameter Workflow

Keep programming, quoting, and QA in lockstep.

1. Capture baselines. Pull the closest thickness row from this chart, then log pierce time, standoff, and lens data in your router so it can be audited later.
2. Validate & iterate. Cut a coupon, measure burr, kerf, and HAZ, then make small, incremental adjustments to power, speed, focus, or pressure until results meet your requirements. Store each revision with a timestamp and operator notes.
3. Push downstream. Feed the approved parameter set into the laser cutting calculator, reference gas pressure with the assist gas guide, and update hourly burden via the hourly rate tool so quotes and SOPs stay aligned.

How to Use This Reference

These parameters are starting points for modern fiber laser systems (1-20 kW). Actual optimal parameters vary based on beam quality, material grade, nozzle condition, and environmental factors. Always verify with test cuts before production runs.

Power: Laser output power

Focus: Position relative to surface

Pressure: Assist gas pressure

Unit & Logging Checklist

Normalize every data point before handing it to programming, quoting, or QA.

Conversion reminders

Focus offset of -1 mm equals 0.001 m below the material surface; positive values sit above.
Pierce time (s) = pierce delay + ramp time per hole. Multiply by pierce count to capture cycle time.
Cutting feeds: IPM = m/min x 39.37. Cross-check with the cutting speeds reference before programming.

Process logging

Record power, speed, focus, gas, pierce delay, and nozzle size per material grade or heat lot.
Attach photos of edge quality and note burr height or discoloration for QA baselines.
Sync validated parameter sets with the laser cutting calculator and PDF exports so quotes match shop-floor reality.

Select Material

Mild Steel (Carbon Steel) - Cutting Parameters

Thickness	Power Range	Cutting Speed	Focal Position	Assist Gas	Gas Pressure	Nozzle Dia
1 mm	1-2 kW	15-20 m/min	-1 to 0 mm	O2	0.8-1.2 bar	1.0-1.5 mm
2 mm	2-3 kW	8-12 m/min	-1 to 0 mm	O2	0.6-1.0 bar	1.5-2.0 mm
3 mm	3-4 kW	4-6 m/min	-1.5 to -0.5 mm	O2	0.5-0.8 bar	1.5-2.0 mm
5 mm	4-6 kW	2-3.5 m/min	-2 to -1 mm	O2	0.4-0.6 bar	2.0-2.5 mm
6 mm	6-8 kW	1.8-2.5 m/min	-2 to -1 mm	O2	0.3-0.5 bar	2.0-2.5 mm
8 mm	6-10 kW	1.2-1.8 m/min	-2.5 to -1.5 mm	O2	0.3-0.5 bar	2.5-3.0 mm
10 mm	8-12 kW	0.8-1.2 m/min	-3 to -2 mm	O2	0.25-0.4 bar	2.5-3.0 mm
12 mm	10-15 kW	0.6-0.9 m/min	-3 to -2 mm	O2	0.2-0.35 bar	3.0-3.5 mm
15 mm	12-20 kW	0.4-0.7 m/min	-3.5 to -2.5 mm	O2	0.15-0.3 bar	3.0-3.5 mm

Note: These parameters assume good beam quality (M^2 < 1.5), clean nozzles, and standard material grades. Higher-quality materials or better beam quality may allow faster speeds. Lower-grade materials may require slower speeds or higher power. Always verify with test cuts before production runs.

Parameter Optimization Guide

Power & Speed Relationship

▸Higher Power: Enables faster speeds but increases heat input and edge roughness
▸Lower Power: Slower but smoother edges, less dross, better dimensional accuracy
▸Optimal Zone: Maximum speed where edge quality meets requirements
▸Rule of Thumb: Increasing power usually produces less-than-linear gains in cutting speed; use test coupons at different settings to see how much benefit additional power actually provides on your machine.

Focal Position Effects

▸Negative Focus (-2 to -3 mm): Deep penetration, good for thick materials (>=6 mm)
▸Zero Focus (0 mm): Balanced performance, general purpose for most thicknesses
▸Positive Focus (+0.5 to +1 mm): Clean top edge, ideal for reflective materials
▸Adjustment Step: Test focus in small increments (for example on the order of fractions of a millimeter) around your baseline while monitoring cut quality.

Gas Pressure Tuning

▸Too High: Excessive turbulence, rough edges, wasted gas, potential nozzle damage
▸Too Low: Incomplete melt ejection, dross buildup, poor edge quality
▸Optimal: Clean ejection without turbulence, minimal dross, smooth edges
▸Testing: Start at the pressure recommended in your cut charts, then test modest increases or decreases while observing dross, edge quality, and gas consumption.

Nozzle Selection

▸Small Nozzle (1.0-1.5 mm): Precision cutting, thin materials, tight tolerances
▸Medium Nozzle (2.0-2.5 mm): General purpose, most common for 3-8 mm materials
▸Large Nozzle (3.0-3.5 mm): Thick materials (>=10 mm), high gas flow required
▸Maintenance: Establish a cleaning and replacement interval for nozzles based on your OEM guidance and observed wear—many shops tie this to tens of cutting hours and visual inspection.

Common Issues & Solutions

Issue: Excessive Dross (molten material on bottom edge)

Causes: Insufficient gas pressure, focus too high, speed too slow, nozzle worn/dirty

Solutions: Increase gas pressure from your baseline, lower the focal position slightly into the material, try a modest increase in cutting speed, clean or replace the nozzle, and confirm nozzle standoff distance.

Issue: Rough or Wavy Edge Quality

Causes: Speed too fast, power insufficient, gas pressure too high, poor beam quality

Solutions: Gradually reduce cutting speed, increase power if available, adjust gas pressure downward if it is excessively high, and check lens cleanliness and beam alignment.

Issue: Incomplete Cuts or Interrupted Cuts

Causes: Insufficient power, speed too fast, focal drift, material quality issues

Solutions: Increase available power where possible, reduce cutting speed, re-measure and adjust focal position, verify material thickness consistency, and check for oil or rust on the material surface.

Issue: Discolored Edges on Stainless Steel

Causes: Nitrogen pressure too low, oxidation occurring, contaminated gas

Solutions: If your nitrogen pressure is below the range you normally run for bright-cut stainless on your machine, increase it toward your validated settings, verify nitrogen purity (for example specifications of 99.95% or better), check for air leaks in the gas line, consider a slight reduction in cutting speed, and increase gas flow volume if needed.

Issue: Burning or Melting on Aluminum

Causes: Focus position too negative, speed too slow, power too high

Solutions: Adjust focus to zero or slightly positive, experiment with higher cutting speeds instead of dwelling too long in the cut, reduce power if the material is overheating, increase nitrogen pressure where appropriate, and consider higher-purity nitrogen (for example, specifications above 99.99%) when edge color is critical.

Advanced Optimization Tips

1. Parameter Testing Matrix

When optimizing, vary only ONE parameter at a time. Create a test matrix: start with recommended parameters, then explore small positive and negative changes to speed, power, pressure, or focus around that baseline. Document results with photos to identify combinations that work best on your specific machine and material.

2. Material-Specific Challenges

Galvanized steel requires careful power control to avoid zinc vapor damage. Painted materials often need higher power. Rusty or oily materials require cleaning and may need noticeably more power than clean stock; use test cuts to understand how large the difference is in your environment and account for these variations in production planning.

3. Environmental Factors

Temperature affects beam quality and material properties. Very cold material stock can sometimes require higher power or different parameters to achieve consistent cuts, and high humidity can cause lens condensation. Follow the environmental ranges and guidelines in your machine manual (for example, many OEMs recommend operating within a moderate temperature and humidity band) to keep results stable.

4. Production vs. Quality Balance

Maximum speed is not always optimal. In many shops, backing off slightly from absolute maximum speed can noticeably improve edge quality for a modest impact on cycle time. For high-value parts, prioritize quality; for high-volume parts, push speed as far as you can while staying within required tolerances.

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