Yes, laser cutting can be very fast, especially when compared to traditional cutting methods.
Speed Comparison
Laser cutting's speed is a key advantage. Consider these comparisons:
- Steel Cutting: A 12 kW oxygen-assisted laser can cut a 40 mm steel sheet significantly faster than other methods. According to the reference, laser cutting is:
- 10x faster than a bandsaw.
- 50-100x faster than wire cutting.
This speed difference can result in drastically reduced production times and increased efficiency.
Factors Affecting Laser Cutting Speed
While laser cutting is generally fast, several factors can influence its speed:
- Material Type: Different materials react differently to laser cutting. Some materials, like thin plastics, can be cut extremely quickly, while thicker or more reflective materials might require slower cutting speeds.
- Material Thickness: The thicker the material, the slower the cutting process tends to be. Lasers need to apply more energy to penetrate thicker sections.
- Laser Power: Higher-powered lasers can generally cut through materials faster than lower-powered ones. For example, the 12 kW laser mentioned in the reference offers very high-speed cutting.
- Assist Gas: The type of assist gas used (like oxygen, nitrogen, or air) can also affect cutting speed. Oxygen-assisted laser cutting, as described in the reference, often provides faster cutting for steel.
- Desired Cut Quality: If a high-precision, very clean cut is needed, slower speeds may be necessary. Faster speeds may sometimes result in slightly less clean edges.
Practical Insights
- Production Efficiency: The rapid cutting speed of lasers makes them ideal for high-volume production runs.
- Reduced Lead Times: Faster cutting speeds help to reduce turnaround time, leading to faster product delivery.
- Precision and Speed: Despite the rapid speeds, laser cutting maintains a high degree of precision.
Conclusion
The speed of laser cutting is a significant advantage, particularly when compared to older methods like bandsawing and wire cutting. The 12kW oxygen-assisted laser is an example of the capabilities in cutting thick steel materials at speed. However, it’s important to remember that material type, thickness, laser power, and desired quality will all impact the final cutting speed.
