Fiber Laser Cutting Mild Steel

Match power, gas and edge requirements to the actual grade and thickness

Mild-steel fiber-laser cutting is influenced by grade, thickness, mill scale, rust, oil, flatness, laser power, source and head condition, oxygen or air process, nozzle, focus, pierce, speed and required edge quality.

Oxygen process

Oxygen can support thicker mild-steel cutting through the exothermic reaction and relatively low gas flow, but it creates an oxidized edge. Downstream welding, powder coating or finishing may require oxide removal.

Compressed-air or nitrogen process

Properly conditioned air or nitrogen can produce a different edge condition and can be useful in approved thickness ranges. Required pressure, flow, compressor, dryer, filtration or nitrogen supply can materially affect operating cost.

Information for a process review

• Material grade, typical and maximum thickness, coating, surface and sheet size.
• Part geometry, holes, small features, edge requirement, tolerance and downstream work.
• Daily volume, shifts, nest density and target cycle time.
• Available oxygen, nitrogen or air package and accepted operating cost.

Thickness charts are application guidance only. Critical work should be confirmed by a representative sample cut or approved process sheet.

Request a mild-steel cutting review.