The maximum cutting rate (production rate) is limited by a number of factors including laser power, material thickness, process type (reactive or inert), and material properties. Common industrial systems (≥1 kW) will cut carbon steel metal from 0.51 – 13 mm in thickness. For all intents and purposes, a laser can be up to thirty times faster than standard sawing.
| Workpiece material | Material thickness | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.51 mm | 1.0 mm | 2.0 mm | 3.2 mm | 6.4 mm | 13 mm | |
| Stainless steel | 42.3 | 23.28 | 13.76 | 7.83 | 3.4 | 0.76 |
| Aluminium | 33.87 | 14.82 | 6.35 | 4.23 | 1.69 | 1.27 |
| Mild steel | − | 8.89 | 7.83 | 6.35 | 4.23 | 2.1 |
| Titanium | 12.7 | 12.7 | 4.23 | 3.4 | 2.5 | 1.7 |
| Plywood | − | - | − | - | 7.62 | 1.9 |
| Boron / epoxy | − | - | − | 2.5 | 2.5 | 1.1 |
