Laser cutting technology, with its high precision and efficiency, has been widely applied across various industries. Below is information on the thickness limits of laser cutting for different delicate materials:
Metals
- Steel: Fiber lasers can cut carbon steel up to 25mm thick and stainless steel up to 20mm thick. For thin steel sheets (0.5mm–3mm), 1000W to 2000W lasers can handle them easily, providing precise and clean cuts with minimal heat-affected zones. Some fiber laser cutting machines can even cut metal sheets as thin as approximately 0.1mm, achieving high precision and excellent cutting quality.
- Aluminum: Fiber lasers can cut aluminum up to 20mm thick, while CO2 lasers can handle up to 15mm. Thin aluminum sheets (0.5mm–3mm) can be cut with high precision and minimal distortion using 1000W to 2000W lasers. However, due to aluminum’s reflectivity, CO2 lasers require careful handling to avoid beam reflection issues.
- Copper: As a highly reflective and conductive material, copper poses challenges for laser cutting. Fiber lasers can cut copper up to 15mm thick, while CO2 lasers can manage up to 10mm. Thin copper sheets (0.5mm–6mm) typically require 3000W to 5000W lasers for cutting applications. Picosecond laser cutting machines can achieve precise cuts on metal materials below 0.2mm, such as copper foil and aluminum foil, with no burrs, low carbonization, and no deformation.
- Titanium: Fiber lasers can cut titanium up to 20mm thick and as thin as 0.5mm. Titanium’s high strength requires robust laser systems to ensure clean cuts, especially for thicker sections.
Non-Metals
- Acrylic: CO2 lasers can cut acrylic up to 25mm thick and as thin as 1mm. Acrylic produces clear and polished edges when cut properly but generates fumes during cutting, necessitating effective ventilation systems.
- Wood: CO2 lasers can cut wood up to 20mm thick and as thin as 1mm. Wood is suitable for a wide range of designs, but proper ventilation is required to manage smoke and reduce charring. Very thin materials (<1mm) are prone to distortion during cutting, especially if engraving is involved.
- Plastics: CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers can cut plastics up to 10mm thick and as thin as 1mm. Different types of plastics (e.g., PET, PVC, ABS) have unique cutting requirements. Low melting points necessitate careful power and speed adjustments to avoid warping or charring.
- Paper: Laser cutting thickness for paper typically ranges from a fraction of a millimeter up to 5mm, depending on the precision and power of the laser. Power and speed settings must be adjusted to prevent burning or charring.
- Thin Organic Materials: Lasers can cut thin organic materials down to 0.05mm. For example, the JLaser ML laser cutting machine can process thin organic materials ranging from 0.05mm to 5mm in thickness.
Other Materials
- Thin Metal Foils: The LP5 laser cutter from LaserPecker features a 20W fiber laser capable of cutting thin metal sheets. Picosecond laser cutting machines can directly cut film materials like PET and PI, as well as etch thin conductive metal films such as constantan, copper, aluminum, ITO, silver paste, and FTO. For metal materials below 0.2mm, such as copper foil and aluminum foil, picosecond laser cutting machines achieve burr-free, low-carbonization, and deformation-free precision cuts.
- Electronic Components: When cutting ultra-thin electronic components (e.g., 0.1mm thick), ultrafast femtosecond and picosecond lasers offer optimal cutting quality with minimal kerf width and a low heat-affected zone.
The thickness of materials that can be cut by laser cutting machines is influenced by multiple factors. Generally, higher laser power enables cutting of thicker materials. For instance, 1000W to 2000W lasers can handle thin steel sheets (0.5mm–3mm), while 4000W to 6000W lasers are ideal for cutting thick steel plates (13mm–20mm). Additionally, material properties such as reflectivity, thermal conductivity, and melting point also affect cutting thickness. For example, highly reflective materials like aluminum and copper require specialized handling.
When processing delicate thin materials with laser cutting, attention must be paid to the following:
- Parameter Adjustment: Adjust laser power, cutting speed, focus position, and other parameters based on the material’s thickness and properties to optimize cutting quality. For thin materials, lower power and faster speed settings are typically used to prevent damage from excessive heat.
- Equipment Selection: Choose a laser cutting machine suitable for thin materials. For example, fiber laser cutting machines are ideal for high-precision cutting of thin to moderately thick sheets. Some specialized thin-sheet laser cutting machines are equipped with intelligent cutting technologies that enhance cutting efficiency and quality.
- Material Preparation: Ensure the surface of the material is clean and free of oil, rust, and other impurities to improve cutting quality and efficiency. For ultra-thin materials, appropriate supporting and fixing measures should be taken to prevent material deformation during cutting.
In summary, laser cutting technology can process delicate thin materials with minimal thicknesses ranging from 0.05mm to 0.1mm. However, when cutting ultra-thin materials, factors such as laser power, material properties, and cutting parameters must be comprehensively considered. Appropriate parameter adjustments and equipment selection are essential to achieve high-quality cutting results.
