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Detailed Introduction And User Guide: Fiber Laser Cutting Machine For Metal Sheets
Time:2026-05-11     
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Fiber laser cutting machine for metal sheets typically refer to two-dimensional laser cutting systems used for processing flat metal materials. They utilize a fiber laser to output high-energy-density laser light, which is focused by the cutting head and applied to the surface of the sheet metal. Melting, vaporization, or oxidation reactions are completed in a very short time, and the molten metal is blown away from the kerf with the help of auxiliary gas, thus creating a high-precision cut.


For modern sheet metal, chassis and cabinet, construction machinery, automotive parts, hardware products, and steel structure industries, this type of equipment has become essential for high-efficiency, high-flexibility, and low-contact processing. The core advantages of fiber laser technology lie in its high efficiency, low energy consumption, strong integration, and the ability to achieve good speed and edge quality when cutting metal.

 

1. What is a Fiber Laser Cutting Machine For Metal Sheets?


Fiber Laser Cutting For Metal Sheets


A fiber laser cutting machine for metal sheets is an advanced CNC machining equipment that uses a high-energy-density fiber laser beam to melt and vaporize metal materials, and then uses assist gas to achieve high-speed cutting.

 

It is widely used in:

- Sheet metal manufacturing

- Electrical cabinet industry

- Construction machinery

- Steel structures

- Kitchen equipment

- Elevator manufacturing

- Automotive parts

- Agricultural machinery

- Advertising metal lettering

- Chassis and cabinets

- New energy equipment

- Aerospace

- Precision parts processing

 

Compared to traditional flame cutting, plasma cutting, and mechanical shearing methods, fiber laser cutting offers:

- Higher precision

- Smaller kerf

- Higher speed

- Higher degree of automation

- Greater material adaptability

- Less post-processing

- Lower energy consumption

It has become one of the most crucial pieces of equipment in the modern metal processing industry.

 

2. Working Principle of Fiber Laser Cutting Machine


1) Laser Generation Principle

The fiber laser generates a high-quality laser beam through:

- Semiconductor pump source

- Rare-earth element-doped fiber

- Resonant cavity system

 

This laser beam passes through:

- Fiber transmission

- Collimation

- Focusing lens group

Ultimately forming a spot of extremely high energy density.

 

The spot temperature can instantly reach:

- Thousands of degrees Celsius

- Even tens of thousands of degrees Celsius

 

This causes the metal to rapidly:

- Melt

- Vaporize

- Combust

The molten slag is then blown away by auxiliary gas, completing the cutting process.

 

2) Cutting Process

Complete Cutting Process:

 

Step 1: CNC System Reads Drawings

Commonly supports:

- DXF

- DWG

- AI

- PLT

- IGS

- STEP

The system automatically generates the cutting path.

 

Step 2: Laser Head Positioning

Servo system drives:

- X-axis

- Y-axis

- Z-axis

Achieving high-speed positioning.

 

Step 3: Laser Focusing

The laser is focused by the cutting head to form an extremely small spot.

Typical laser spot diameter:

- 0.08mm

- 0.1mm

- 0.15mm

 

Step 4: Metal Melting

Laser irradiation of the material surface:

- Rapid heating

- Melting

- Vaporization

Forming a kerf.

 

Step 5: Slag Removal with Assisted Gas

Commonly used gases:

- Oxygen

- Nitrogen

- Air

The molten slag is blown away from the kerf.

 

Step 6: Completion of Cutting

The equipment operates continuously according to the program, enabling the processing of complex shapes.

 

3. Main Components of a Fiber Laser Cutting Machine


Fiber Laser Cutting Machine For Metal Sheets


1) Fiber Laser

The fiber laser is the core component of a fiber laser cutting machine for metal sheets.

 

Common Brands:

- IPG

- MAX

- Raycus

- JPT

- nLIGHT

 

Function: 

Provides laser energy

 

Power Range:

- 1kW

- 3kW

- 6kW

- 12kW

- 20kW

- 30kW+

- 60kW+

 

2) Laser Cutting Head

Responsibilities:

- Focusing

- Following

- Gas jetting

 

Common Brands:

- Raytools

- Precitec

- WSX

- BOCI

 

Main Functions:

- Auto-focusing

Automatically adjusts the focus position according to material thickness.

- Collision protection

Prevents collision damage.

- Capacitive following

Automatically detects the height of the sheet material.

 

3) CNC System

The CNC system is the "brain" of the fiber laser cutting machine for metal sheets.

 

Common Systems:

- FSCUT

- CypCut

- Beckhoff

- PA

- Siemens

 

Main Functions:

- Graphic Import

- Layout

- Path Optimization

- Parameter Calling

- Automatic Drilling

- Automatic Obstacle Avoidance

- Flying Cutting

- Leaping Cutting

 

4) Machine Frame

The machine bed determines the stability of the equipment.

 

High-end equipment uses:

- Heavy-duty welded bed

- Overall annealing treatment

- Gantry structure

 

Features:

- Shock resistance

- Deformation resistance

- High stability

 

5) Servo Drive System

The servo drive system controls motion precision.

 

Includes:

- Servo motor

- Driver

- Reducer

- Gear rack and pinion

- Guide rail

 

Common Brands:

- Yaskawa

- Fuji

- Panasonic

- Innovance

 

6) Cooling System (Water-cooled System)

Used for:

- Laser cooling

- Cut head cooling

 

Abnormal cooling:

- Laser may be damaged

- Optical component lifespan reduced

 

7) Auxiliary Gas System

Gases

Applications

Oxygen

High-speed cutting of carbon steel

Nitrogen

Oxidation-free cutting of stainless steel

Air

Cost reduction

Argon

Special material protection

 

4. Advantages of Fiber Laser Cutting Machines


1) High Cutting Speed

Compared to plasma: 2-5 times higher efficiency, especially noticeable for thin plates.

For example: 3mm stainless steel: laser speed can reach over 20m/min.

 

2) High Precision

Typical Precision:

±0.03mm

±0.05mm

Suitable for:

- Precision parts

- High-end sheet metal

 

3) High Cut Quality

Features:

- Fewer burrs

- Small heat-affected zone

- Narrow kerf

- Good perpendicularity

Many work pieces:

- Can be directly welded

- No secondary processing required

 

4) High Degree of Automation

Supports:

- Automatic loading and unloading

- Automatic exchange platform

- Automatic sorting

- Automatic warehousing

Achieves: Unmanned production

 

5) Strong Material Adaptability

Can Cut:

- Carbon steel

- Stainless steel

- Aluminum plate

- Copper plate

- Brass

- Zipper plate

- Silicon steel sheet

- Titanium alloy

 

6) Low Operating Cost

High photoelectric conversion efficiency: Over 30%

Compared to CO₂ laser:

- More energy-efficient

- Less maintenance

 

5. Application Analysis of Laser Cutting Machines with Different Powers


metal sheet Laser Cutting


1) 1~3kW

Suitable for:

- Thin sheet processing

- Advertising industry

- Sheet metal parts

 

Cutting capacity:

Materials

Thickness

Carbon steel

Within 10mm

Stainless steel

Within 5mm

2) 6~12kW

This is the mainstream model.

Suitable for:

- Steel structures

- Construction machinery

- Elevator industry

 

Cutting capacity:

Materials

Thickness

Carbon steel

Over 25mm

Stainless steel

About 25mm

 

3) 20kW and above

This type is high-end heavy industrial equipment.

Suitable for: Thick plate processing, shipbuilding, large steel structures

Features: Ultra-high speed, strong thick plate processing capability

 

6. Fiber Laser Cutting Machine Operation Guide


1) Pre-Start Inspection

Required Checks:

Power Supply

 

Confirm:

Stable voltage

Normal grounding

 

- Gas

Check:

Gas pressure

Gas purity

Pipeline leaks

 

- Water Chiller

Check:

Water level

Water temperature

Water pressure

 

Typical Temperature:

22℃

25℃

 

- Lubrication System

Ensure:

Guide rail lubrication is normal

Laser protective lens

Check:

Contamination

Burden

 

2) Start-up Procedure

Standard Procedure:

Step 1

Turn on: Main power supply

Step 2

Turn on:

Voltage regulator

Water chiller

Step 3

Turn on:

Air compressor

Gas system

Step 4

Start: CNC system

Step 5

Start: Laser

Wait for laser self-test to complete.

Step 6:

Equipment returns to reference point (zero).

 

7. Preparation Before Cutting


1) Import Drawings

Common Software: CypCut, FastCAM, AutoCAD

 

2) Layout

Layout optimizes material utilization.

Tips: Common-edge cutting, Automatic nesting, Part nesting

Can save: 5%~20% of material

 

3) Call Process Parameters

Including: Power, Speed, Focus, Air Pressure, Frequency

 

4) Material Positioning

Ensure: Flat sheet material, No warping, Correct placement

 

8. Detailed Explanation of Cutting Parameters



1) Laser Power

Higher power: Faster cutting, Stronger ability for thick plates

However: Not always the higher the better, Requires matching the material.

 

2) Cutting Speed

Too fast: Incomplete cut

Too slow: Increased burrs, Overheating

 

3) Focus Position

Focus position is extremely critical.

Different materials: different focal point locations

For example:

The focal point of carbon steel is usually located below the surface of the plate.

The focal point of stainless steel is usually located near the surface of the plate.

 

4) Gas pressure

Too low pressure: poor slag removal.

Too high pressure: coarser cut.

 

9. Cutting Techniques for Different Materials


1) Carbon Steel Cutting

Commonly Used: Oxygen

Features: High speed, strong ability to cut thick plates

Caution: Prevent slag buildup

 

2) Stainless Steel Cutting

Commonly Used: High-Pressure Nitrogen

Features: White cut, no oxidation

Suitable for: High-end decorative parts

 

3) Aluminum Plate Cutting

Difficulties: High reflectivity, easy to slag buildup

Suggestions: Use high power, high-gloss surface protection, dedicated parameters

 

4) Copper Plate Cutting

Features: High reflectivity

Requires: Anti-reflective laser, stable perforation process

 

10. Common Cutting Processes


1) Flying Cutting

Features: Non-stop perforation

Advantages: Greatly improves efficiency

Suitable for: Batch processing of thin plates

 

2) Leap Cutting

Rapidly lifts and moves the cutting head.

Reduces: Idle time

 

3) Shared Edge Cutting

Multiple parts share an edge.

Advantages: Saves materials, improves efficiency

 

4) Micro-Connection

Preserves small connection points.

Prevent: Parts from warping

 

11. Daily Maintenance Guide


1) Lens Maintenance

Key Maintenance: Protective lens, Focusing lens

Caution: Do not touch with hands. Use a lint-free cloth.

 

2) Guide Rail Maintenance

Daily: Clean dust. Lubricate.

Otherwise: Decreased precision.

 

3) Water Cooler Maintenance

Regularly: Replace purified water. Clean the filter.

Avoid: Scale blockage.

 

4) Air Circuit Maintenance

Check: Air leaks, moisture, oil stains.

Otherwise: Decreased cutting quality.

 

5) Laser Maintenance

Caution: Dustproof, moisture-proof, shockproof.

Maintain an environment that is: Constant temperature and dry.

 

12. Common Faults and Solutions


1) Incomplete Cut

Causes: Insufficient power, excessive speed, lens contamination

Solutions: Increase power, decrease speed, clean lens

 

2) Severe Burrs

Causes: Incorrect focus, insufficient air pressure

Solutions: Adjust focus, increase air pressure

 

3) Drilling Failure

Causes: Rust on material surface, incorrect parameters

Solutions: Clean material, adjust drilling parameters

 

4) Blackened Cut

Causes: Insufficient nitrogen purity

Solutions: Replace with high-purity nitrogen

 

5) Laser Alarm

Causes: Abnormal water temperature, abnormal optical path

Solutions: Check chiller, check laser

 

13. Safety Operating Procedures


1) Laser Safety

Laser is a high-energy, dangerous light source.

Prohibited: Direct eye contact with laser.

Must wear: Laser safety goggles.

 

2) Fire Prevention

Cut area: No flammable materials allowed.

Must have: Fire extinguisher.

 

3) Electrical Safety

Prohibited: Live repairs.

Power must be disconnected before repairs.

 

4) Gas Safety

High-pressure gas cylinders: Securely fastened.

Avoid: Exposure to direct sunlight and impact.

 

14. How to Improve Cutting Quality?


1) Keep the lens clean

Contaminated lenses will severely reduce power.

 

2) Use high-purity gases

Especially nitrogen for stainless steel cutting.

Recommendation: 99.99% purity or higher.

 

3) Parameter Optimization

Different materials require different parameter databases.

Establishing a company-specific process database is crucial.

 

4) Maintain Sheet Flatness

Sheet warping affects the following height

leading to unstable cutting

 

15. Automation Development Trends


Modern laser cutting has entered the era of intelligentization

 

Including:

AI parameter optimization

Automatic edge finding

Automatic layout

Automatic detection

Automatic correction

Automatic deviation correction

Automatic production lines

 

Connectable to:

Automatic material storage

Loading and unloading robots

Sorting systems

MES systems

 

Embodying:

Smart factories

Ultra-high power development

 

Current trends:

20kW+

30kW+

60kW+

 

Features:

Faster

Thicker

More stable

 

16. Industry Application Analysis


1) Sheet Metal Industry

The sheet metal industry has the most applications.

Features: Multiple varieties, small batches, laser cutting offers significant flexibility.

 

2) Steel Structure Industry

Demand: Thick plates, large sizes, high-power equipment offers huge advantages.

 

3) Elevator Industry

Requirements: High precision, minimal burrs, laser cutting is ideal.

 

4) Construction Machinery Industry

Materials: Primarily thick plates, requirements: High-stability equipment.

 

17. Fiber Laser Cutting Equipment Selection Guide


1) Select power based on material thickness

Don't blindly pursue high power.

Consider: Main products, material type.

 

2) Pay attention to the machine bed structure

A high-quality machine bed determines long-term precision.

 

3) Focus on core configurations

Key components: Laser, cutting head, servo system, control system.

 

4) Pay attention to after-sales service

Laser equipment is high-tech equipment; after-sales service is extremely important.

 

18. Future Trends of Fiber Laser Cutting Machines


Future Directions:

- Higher Power

- Higher Intelligence

- Higher Automation

- More Energy Efficient

- Higher Speed

- Less Manual Reliance

 

Future Factories Will Gradually Achieve:

- Unmanned Cutting

- Intelligent Scheduling

- Automated Logistics

- Cloud Data Management

 

19. Summary


Fiber laser cutting machine for metal sheets are advanced manufacturing equipment that combines high-energy lasers, precision motion control, and auxiliary gas processes. They are particularly suitable for the efficiency, precision, flexibility, and consistency requirements of modern sheet metal processing.

 

Fiber laser cutting machines for metal sheets are one of the most core and advanced processing equipment in the modern metal processing industry.

 

They possess significant advantages such as:

- High Efficiency

- High Precision

- High Flexibility

- High Automation

- Low Operating Costs

 

With the development of:

- Smart Manufacturing

- Industry 4.0

 


Automated Factories, fiber laser cutting machines will continue to rapidly upgrade towards:

- Ultra-High Power

- Intelligent Control

- Automated Lines

- Unmanned Production

 

For modern manufacturing enterprises, laser cutting equipment is no longer just a processing machine, but a crucial core piece of equipment for improving:

- Production Efficiency

- Product Quality

- Market Competitiveness

- Automation Level

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