RAYMAX fiber lasers are able to cut parts out of almost any metal, including steel, stainless, aluminum, copper, brass, zinc, nickel alloys, tool steels, etc. These lasers can also cut coated metals such as galvanized, aluminized, anodized and pre-painted metals.
While most lasers are 6 kilowatts (kw), they can be 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 kw. A laser with higher kw equates to higher temperatures, allowing you to cut faster, cut thicker materials and cut more inches per minute (ipm).
When trying to decide what power laser to buy, ask for time studies on your typical parts. You can then compare the capacity and the time to manufacture to decide on speed versus machine cost. If you will never cut anything thicker than ½” or ¾” then you can use a laser with less power.
A 6kw fiber laser is rated to cut 1” thick steel, 1” thick stainless and 1” thick aluminum. Fabricators only look at 8 or 10kw lasers if they want to cut thick materials with nitrogen faster than they can with 6kw, or if they’re looking for a cleaner edge than the average laser.
The kilowatts of the laser and assist gas used will affect the finish of your parts and the speed at which you cut it. For example, ¼” steel cut with nitrogen on a 4kw fiber will have a slight burr while cutting at 140 ipm. With 6kw will you get better cutting at 240 ipm, and with 8kw you will cut cleanly at 350 ipm. If you are cutting ¼” steel with oxygen, all three lasers will cut around 110 ipm and have no burr.