Laser Parameters for Different Materials

He has compiled a table of laser processing parameters for common materials like metal, wood, and acrylic, covering such core settings as power, speed, and frequency.Whether you are a newcomer to laser equipment or a veteran technician looking to quickly check parameters, this list can save you time in adjusting the equipment and increase processing efficiency.

Why do we need the laser parameters table?

Every time you change materials, you have to start from scratch to determine the correct laser parameters? Don't worry! Different materials have vastly different absorption rates for lasers. For example, acrylic is easily burned by a high-power laser, while stainless steel requires a high-power laser to cut through.This chart of parameters, based on actual experience, will help you avoid "materials disasters" and will be particularly useful when you are in a rush.

How to quickly find the right parameters.

First, let's look at the equipment. The parameters of CO2 and fiber lasers are quite different.The next thing to do is to determine the thickness of the material. The method used to process 0.5 millimeter thick stainless steel is completely different from that used to process 3 millimeter thick stainless steel.Finally, here is a list of practical parameters to refer to:

Metal material parameters.

Stainless steel (1mm): Power 200W, speed 15mm / s, frequency 500Hz (fiber laser).

Aluminum alloy (2 mm): Power 150W / Speed 8 mm / Nitrogen gas auxiliary (note surface oxidation).

Nonmetallic materials.

Pine board (5 mm): Power 40 % / speed 20 mm / s / two passes (CO2 laser).

Acrylic (3 mm): Power 60 % / speed 10 mm / s / turn on the ventilation system (lower the power if the edges turn yellow).

Tuning Parameters in Practice

Don't rush to get started. First cut a little piece from the scrap.From my own experience, when carving a pattern, if you set the frequency to above 1000Hz, the lines will be finer.If the material starts to smoke or change color, it is probably because the exposure time is too long or the focus is not properly adjusted.

The most common problems are listed below.

If the material burns up, lower the power 5 % and increase the speed 20 %.

Not penetrating: Inspect the lens for cleanliness. Insufficient air pressure can also affect penetration.

Ragged edges: Try using nitrogen-assisted cutting, or adjust the focus position.

Notes for use of parameter table.

The performance of different brands of equipment varies. We suggest a step-by-step test (for example, from 80 % to 120 % of the recommended value).If the temperature changes by more than 10 ° C, remember to recalibrate the parameters.Keep this list on your cellphone, and next time you come across a new material, you can just pull out the list and check the settings.