Laser Power Recommender
⚡ Quick Reference: Power for Steel Thickness
6mm: 3-4 kW | 12mm: 6 kW | 20mm: 10 kW | 30mm: 15-20 kW
Determine the optimal laser power for your cutting requirements. Get recommendations based on material, thickness, and production volume.
Power Recommendation
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Maximum Cutting Thickness by Power (Fiber Laser)
| Power | Mild Steel | Stainless | Aluminum | Est. Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 kW | 12 mm | 10 mm | 8 mm | $45-75k |
| 6 kW | 20 mm | 16 mm | 15 mm | $90-150k |
| 10 kW | 30 mm | 25 mm | 25 mm | $150-250k |
| 15 kW | 40 mm | 35 mm | 35 mm | $225-375k |
| 20 kW | 50 mm | 45 mm | 40 mm | $300-500k |
Thickness values are quality-cut limits. Costs are estimates for complete systems and vary by brand and features.
Frequently Asked Questions
What laser power do I need to cut 20mm steel?
For 20mm mild steel: Minimum: 6kW (slow, at edge of capability). Recommended: 8-10kW (reliable cutting at production speeds). High-performance: 12-15kW (fast cutting, production-focused). Higher power also provides margin for thicker materials and faster processing of thinner gauges. For stainless or aluminum of same thickness, add 20-30% more power.
Is higher laser power always better?
Not necessarily. Higher power means: Greater capability (thicker materials). Faster cutting on all thicknesses. Higher capital cost ($15-25k per kW). More power consumption. Enhanced safety requirements. Choose power based on your ACTUAL needs. A 6kW laser cutting primarily 6mm steel is more cost-effective than a 12kW laser doing the same work. But if you need capacity for growth, buy ahead.
What is the maximum thickness for a 6kW fiber laser?
Typical maximum cutting capabilities for 6kW fiber laser: Mild steel: 20-22mm. Stainless steel: 16-18mm. Aluminum: 15-16mm. Copper: 8-10mm. These are quality-cut limits. The laser can pierce thicker material but edge quality and speed suffer significantly. For production cutting, reduce these values by 20-30%.
CO₂ vs Fiber: Do they need the same power?
Fiber lasers are more efficient at cutting metals. A 6kW fiber ≈ 8-10kW CO₂ for metal cutting capability. This is due to higher absorption of the 1μm wavelength. However, CO₂ is still preferred for cutting thick acrylic, wood, and other organics where the 10.6μm wavelength is absorbed better. For metals, fiber is the current standard.