Starting point first

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Before we can find the right settings for cutting a particular material, we must first recognize that there are several ways to cut the same material. Every operator will be concentrating on his own wishes and thus every fiber lasers user will therefore use different parameter settings while cutting the same material. For example we can optimize the settings for:

* GAS CONSUMPTION (COST SAVING)
* HIGHER OPERATING SPEED (COST SAVINGS)
* HIGHEST KERF QUALITY (LITTLE FINISHING NEEDED)

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ALL of these principles require completely different approaches so there is not just one right way to set parameters but many ways to get cutting results on your own terms. Some of the most important settings are covered below.

Speed ​​and laser power

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Of course, speed and power are important factors when laser cutting metals. Too low a speed will overheat the material and cause discoloration, a wider cutting kerf and spherical shaped globs of molten metal at the bottom of the cut.
On the other hand, too high speeds mean that the material is not melted properly and the laser beam ultimately does not have enough time, to cut through the material completely. Speed ​​and power go hand in hand. Too much laser power causes the same problems as when setting travel speeds too low , and too little laser power leads to the same results as when you would set travel speeds too high .

cutting gases and pressure

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For fiber laser cutting, we normally use gases such as oxygen, nitrogen, argon or compressed air. Which gas is used in a particular situation does not only depend on the material that we need to process. For example, we often use nitrogen (N2) to cut stainless steel so that the cutting edge does not oxidize, but someone who wants maximum speed in stainless steel and folds the cutting edges afterwards may not care about oxidation and opt for cutting with oxygen. This makes it possible to achieve much higher speeds and save a ton of money on gas consumption.
The correct pressure of the chosen gas is also important. Too little nitrogen pressure and the liquid material is not (completely) blown out of the cut. Too much oxygen and the material will glow, melt or burn.