Since 2023, laser processing technology has entered a fast lane of accelerated upgrades, with laser power making a leap from 10kW to 100kW, reaching new heights with breakthroughs at 150kW, pushing the limits of manufacturing efficiency in China. On the forefront of market applications, mainstream products have quickly advanced from 40kW to 60kW, marking a new stage of high-power, large-scale adoption in the industry.

 

As a popular product in the high-power domain, how does the 60kW fiber laser achieve efficient and precise cutting while maximizing its potential? This question has become a hot topic within the industry. Let's take BWT’s Thunder 60kW fiber laser as an example to analyze how to unlock its true potential for efficiency enhancement, cost reduction, and quality improvement.

 

 

What can a 60kW laser process?

 

Many users find that the Thunder 60kW high-power laser is particularly well-suited for medium and thick plate processing. This is because the 60kW laser not only handles most medium and thick plates effectively but also offers a significant leap in cutting efficiency, meeting the intense speed demands of users in the era of manufacturing upgrades.

 

BWT's Thunder 60kW fiber laser, powered by integrated CTC chip technology, comes standard with a 150μm core diameter and can be customized to a 100μm core diameter for even greater processing power and cutting efficiency. This laser excels in various processes, including cutting, drilling, and welding, particularly shining in the cutting of medium and thick plates and extra-thick plates, effortlessly handling materials such as carbon steel and stainless steel.

 

1.    Medium and Thick Plate Cutting: For carbon steel and stainless steel plates ranging from 20mm to 100mm in thickness, the Thunder 60kW laser enables high-speed, high-quality cutting. For instance, it can achieve cutting speeds of 9m/min to 10m/min for 20mm carbon steel. Even for thicker materials like 50mm and 80mm carbon steel, cutting speeds of 2m/min and 0.7m/min are achievable, respectively.

 

Video 1: Thunder 60kW cutting 50mm carbon steel

 

2.    Extra-Thick Plate Cutting: The Thunder 60kW laser also performs exceptionally in the extra-thick plate domain. It can maintain stable cutting speeds and high-quality cuts for 40mm, 60mm, and even 105mm stainless steel plates, achieving cutting speeds of 4m/min, 1.6m/min, and 0.5m/min, respectively.

 

Video 2: Thunder 60kW cutting 60mm stainless steel

 

3.    Diverse Application Scenarios: With the widespread adoption of 60kW lasers, their application fields have expanded into high-end manufacturing sectors such as shipbuilding and aerospace, providing robust technical support for efficient and precise cutting processes.

 

What are the advantages of 60kW processing?

 

In the context of industrial upgrades, 10kW-class laser cutting technology has shaken the dominance of plasma cutting, eliminating the traditional issues of excessive spatter, dust, slow speeds, and low quality. The shift from traditional methods to laser cutting is gaining momentum, with laser technology displaying a significant speed advantage over lower-power products.

 

Testing data shows that the Thunder 60kW laser boasts extraordinary processing capabilities: in cutting 30mm carbon steel, its speed soars to 5m/min, representing a 67% to 100% increase compared to 30kW lasers. For 40mm carbon steel, processing speeds stabilize at 3.5m/min, a 75% to 133% improvement over 40kW.

 

Moreover, in stainless steel cutting, the Thunder 60kW laser stands out even more: for 50mm thick material, cutting speed surges by 300% to 567% compared to 30kW; for 60mm thickness, speed increases are even more impressive, reaching 433% to 700%, showcasing unparalleled efficiency and precision.

 

In laser processing, positive and negative focal points, as two major imaging techniques, each have unique advantages suited to different scenarios. The Thunder 60kW laser, when using oxygen-positive focal cutting for 40-50mm carbon steel, achieves cutting speeds of 0.8-1.1m/min, making it the top choice for fine cutting, precise drilling, and intricate engraving with its high accuracy and stability. Conversely, with oxygen-negative focal cutting for 50-60mm carbon steel, cutting speeds reach 1.3-2.0m/min, delivering uniform and refined results. This technique is widely used in cutting-edge fields like rapid laser prototyping, meeting the industry's dual demands for efficiency and quality.

 

Left: Oxygen-positive focal cutting of 50mm carbon steel

Right: Oxygen-negative focal cutting of 50mm carbon steel

 

How to resolve common processing issues?

 

During laser cutting, issues such as incomplete cuts and rough edges may arise, often related to material properties and process parameters. By adjusting the laser’s output power, cutting speed, and focal position, optimal interaction between the laser beam and the material can be ensured, resulting in efficient, high-quality cutting.

 

Here are some common problems and their solutions:

 

1. Incomplete Cuts:

   Cause: Cutting speed too fast, laser output too low, misaligned beam path, or laser head contamination.

  Solution: Reduce cutting speed, reset laser output power, realign the beam path, inspect, and replace the laser head if necessary.

 

2. Rough Edges:

   Cause: Cutting speed too fast, incorrect focal position, or laser beam divergence.

   Solution: Adjust the cutting speed to an appropriate range, fine-tune the focal position, and check and correct any laser beam divergence.

 

3. Other Common Issues:

   Poor Piercing Quality: Piercing points require preheating, leading to a heat-affected zone around them, which can degrade processing quality. Solutions include setting the piercing point outside the cutting path, delaying the protective gas and laser emission.

   Inaccurate Machine Settings: This may cause misalignment of the X and Y axes or non-perpendicular guide rails. Solutions include restoring factory settings, checking and tightening screws inside the worktable guide rail, and realigning the X and Y axes.

 

In addition to precisely matching materials and processes and optimizing cutting strategies, regular maintenance, smart control systems, and continuous exploration and innovation are crucial. Only by doing so can the potential of the Thunder 60kW fiber laser be fully realized.

 

 

In summary, the 60kW laser, with its powerful output and efficient processing capabilities, offers distinct advantages in medium and thick plate cutting. By properly setting processing parameters and maintaining equipment, manufacturing efficiency and quality can be further enhanced, reshaping the competitive landscape of the manufacturing industry.