By far acrylic is the cheapest material to laser cut.
Minimum laser power to cut metal.
The primary factor in determining cut speed at least in materials such as 1 4 inch and thinner steel is not laser power but the power density of the focused laser beam.
The relationship between laser wattage to cut speed is not linear for a number of technical reasons.
30w 1 8 3 4mm 40w 5 6mm 50 60w 3 8 10mm 75 120w 13mm these values can vary significantly due to different types of materials different focal lenses alignment of optics etc.
This video shows the laser cutting 100 1 8 holes in 18 gau.
Mike klos laser mechanisms converting to millimeters that s 1550 watts mm 2.
Sheet metal cutting requires a power density of 10 6 watts in 2 source.
In this age of cnc machines laser cutters capable of cutting through metal are still too expensive for the average hobbyist.
The laser power has a great influence on cutting thickness cutting speed cutting width and cutting quality.
Laser cutting power speed.
Generally speaking the larger the laser power the thicker the cutting board and the faster cutting speed.
You can buy low power machines less than 100 w fairly cheaply but these will hardly scratch a metal surface.
Under certain plate thickness and cutting speed there is an optimal range of laser power.
The following are the minimum power ratings we recommend for cutting into materials like wood and plastic.
1in 2 645mm 2 a 100 watt laser can achieve a power density of 1550 watts mm 2 in a spot size that is 0 6452mm 2 a spot size that is 0 6452mm 2 has a diameter of of 28mm or 280 micron using area pi d 2 2 280 micron.