Fiber Laser Cutting Speed and Pierce Time Reference Chart
Estimators often need a cutting speed before the CAM program exists. This reference gives indicative speed and pierce ranges for common materials, thicknesses and assist gases on a 6 kW class fiber laser, so you can feed the cycle time calculator with a sensible starting value.
| Material | Thickness (in) | Gauge or fraction | Assist gas | Indicative speed (ipm) | Indicative pierce (s) | Edge note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mild steel | 0.060 | 16 ga | Oxygen | 350 to 450 | 0.2 to 0.4 | Oxide edge, may need removal before paint |
Mild steel | 0.105 | 12 ga | Oxygen | 180 to 240 | 0.3 to 0.6 | Oxide edge |
Mild steel | 0.135 | 10 ga | Oxygen | 150 to 200 | 0.4 to 0.8 | Oxide edge |
Mild steel | 0.188 | 3/16 in | Oxygen | 100 to 140 | 0.6 to 1.2 | Oxide edge |
Mild steel | 0.250 | 1/4 in | Oxygen | 75 to 100 | 0.8 to 1.5 | Oxide edge |
Mild steel | 0.375 | 3/8 in | Oxygen | 45 to 60 | 1.5 to 3 | Pierce ramping advised |
Mild steel | 0.500 | 1/2 in | Oxygen | 30 to 40 | 2 to 4 | Pierce ramping advised |
Mild steel | 0.750 | 3/4 in | Oxygen | 15 to 22 | 4 to 8 | Needs high power and stable gas pressure |
Mild steel | 0.060 | 16 ga | Nitrogen | 600 to 900 | 0.2 to 0.4 | Oxide-free edge, higher gas cost |
Mild steel | 0.105 | 12 ga | Nitrogen | 300 to 450 | 0.3 to 0.6 | Oxide-free edge, higher gas cost |
Stainless 304 | 0.060 | 16 ga | Nitrogen | 600 to 800 | 0.2 to 0.4 | Clean bright edge |
Stainless 304 | 0.105 | 12 ga | Nitrogen | 250 to 350 | 0.3 to 0.6 | Clean bright edge |
Stainless 304 | 0.135 | 10 ga | Nitrogen | 150 to 220 | 0.5 to 1 | Clean bright edge |
Stainless 304 | 0.188 | 3/16 in | Nitrogen | 90 to 130 | 0.8 to 1.5 | Dross risk if pressure is low |
Stainless 304 | 0.250 | 1/4 in | Nitrogen | 45 to 70 | 1 to 3 | High gas flow, check dross |
Stainless 304 | 0.375 | 3/8 in | Nitrogen | 15 to 25 | 3 to 6 | Needs high power and nozzle care |
Aluminum 5052 or 6061 | 0.063 | 1/16 in | Nitrogen | 600 to 900 | 0.2 to 0.4 | Reflective, back-reflection protection required |
Aluminum 5052 or 6061 | 0.125 | 1/8 in | Nitrogen | 150 to 250 | 0.4 to 0.8 | Watch dross on thicker plate |
Aluminum 5052 or 6061 | 0.250 | 1/4 in | Nitrogen | 40 to 65 | 1 to 2.5 | High gas pressure |
Aluminum 5052 or 6061 | 0.375 | 3/8 in | Nitrogen | 15 to 25 | 2.5 to 5 | Needs high power |
Indicative ranges for a 6 kW class fiber laser with a good beam and fresh consumables, for early estimating only. Real speeds depend on power, nozzle, focus, gas purity and pressure, and your machine technology table always takes priority. Gauge thicknesses are nominal for steel.
Use your own laser data in estimating
Optional review of how machine run logs could replace indicative speeds in your quoting.
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How to use the reference
Search by material, gauge or gas. Pick the speed range for the material, thickness and gas you plan to use and take a figure near the middle, or the low end for complex geometry. Enter it, together with the pierce time, in the laser cycle time calculator. Once you have run the real job, replace the indicative figures with the actual numbers from your machine technology table and keep a shop-specific list.
- Use the lower end of the range for intricate parts.
- Increase pierce time on thick plate or reflective material.
- Never program the machine from this table; use the OEM technology table.
Why speeds vary so much
Oxygen cutting of carbon steel is an exothermic process, so speed falls steadily with thickness and is limited by the reaction. Nitrogen cutting melts and blows the material out, so it needs high pressure and power and runs faster on thin stainless and aluminum, but gas use is far higher. Beam quality, nozzle design, focus position and power change speeds by 20 percent or more. Aluminum and other reflective materials need back-reflection protection and may pierce more slowly.
Limits of this table
The figures are conservative, rounded ranges based on commonly published fiber laser parameter charts for six kilowatt class machines; they are not guaranteed for any specific model. Lower power machines of 3 to 4 kW will be slower on thick material, and 10 to 20 kW machines will be much faster. Treat the table as a quote screen and nothing more.
Common mistakes
Using nitrogen speeds for oxygen cuts, ignoring pierce time on thick plate, and applying a single speed to a whole part family are frequent errors. Another is copying speeds from a higher power machine to a lower power one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a typical fiber laser cutting speed for 1/4 inch steel?
On a 6 kW class machine with oxygen, 1/4 inch mild steel typically cuts around 75 to 100 inches per minute. Lower power machines are slower and higher power machines faster. Use your technology table for firm values.
Is nitrogen faster than oxygen?
On thin steel and on stainless and aluminum, nitrogen is generally faster and leaves a clean edge, but gas consumption and cost are much higher. On thick mild steel, oxygen is usually used because it is more economical.
How long does a laser pierce take?
Pierce time ranges from a few tenths of a second on thin sheet to several seconds on thick plate. Ramped or pulsed piercing improves quality on thick material but adds time. Use the figure for your technology table.
Can I use these speeds for programming?
No. These ranges are for estimating only. Programming must use the machine manufacturer's technology tables, tuned for your nozzle, optics, gas and material.
If your actual cutting data lives in CAM and machine logs, Netray can help bring it into your ERP so estimates use real numbers. Ask for an expert review of your data flow.
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