For all users of fiber laser cutting machines, whether they are beginners or experienced production line operators, there is room for continuous improvement. This article will share practical tips from basic to advanced systems, aiming to assist you in optimizing the cutting process and achieving a dual improvement in efficiency and quality.
Step 1: Don’t Skip the Basics
Even experienced operators sometimes overlook these essential checks:
Focus Point Accuracy
Ensure the laser’s focus is at or slightly below the material surface. Too high or too low? Expect burrs and burnt edges.
Pro tip: For carbon steel under 4mm, keep the focus at 0 mm (on the surface). For stainless steel or aluminum under 2mm, try a slight defocus of -1 mm for cleaner edges.
Match Gas to Material
Oxygen → Carbon steel (fast but oxidized edges)
Nitrogen → Stainless steel & aluminum (clean, oxidation-free)
Air → Thin mild steel (budget-friendly)
Example: One Bodor customer cutting 3mm carbon steel panels for furniture frames switched from nitrogen to air and cut gas costs by 60% without compromising quality.
Keep Nozzle Height Consistent
Too close = collision risk. Too far = a messy cut. Maintain stable height for better quality.
Recommended: 0.8–1.2 mm for most applications. Use automatic height control for consistent results.
Step 2: Upgrade with Pro Techniques
These tricks go beyond the basics and give you an edge in quality and efficiency:
Use Micro-Joints for Small Parts
Add tiny tabs to prevent small pieces from tipping or moving—this avoids damaged parts and protects your laser head.
When to use: Parts smaller than 50mm in any direction, or thin sheets (<1.5mm) that are prone to lifting.
Nest Smarter, Not Harder
Use intelligent nesting to arrange parts efficiently on the sheet. Bodor software does this automatically—maximizing material, minimizing scrap.
Case study: A sheet metal shop using BodorNest increased material utilization from 72% to 89% in just one month.
Avoid Burn Marks on Thin Stainless
Lower power slightly and speed up feed rate when cutting thin stainless. It keeps edges clean, especially with nitrogen.
Try Air Cutting for Thin Sheets
Air can reduce gas costs by up to 70%. Ideal for mild steel under 2mm or non-critical finishes.
Example: Try 1200W with 3 bar air pressure on 1.5mm mild steel for bracket production.
Balance Speed & Quality
Speed isn’t everything. Precision parts need that sweet spot between speed and accuracy.
Tip: For gear cutting or parts with tight tolerance (<0.1mm), reduce speed by 10–15% to minimize thermal drift.
Step 3: Expert-Level Cutting Techniques
Want to go from great to elite? Try these advanced strategies:
Fine-Tune Like a Pro
Use dynamic focus, advanced piercing methods, and speed segmentation for tricky or thick materials.
Example: When cutting 10mm carbon steel, use gradual piercing with low power (40%) for cleaner entry points and longer nozzle life.
Master Thermal Control
Avoid heat warping by alternating cut zones, skipping areas, or using leapfrog cutting sequences.
Real tip: On large thin panels, cut non-adjacent parts first to let the metal cool before returning to the remaining sections.
Optimize Gas Use
Try switching gases mid-process based on part type. For example, oxygen for rough cuts, and nitrogen for clean finishes.
Advanced setting: Bodor systems can automate this with programmable layers in the nesting software.
Build a Custom Process Library
Keep track of what works—record your best settings by material, thickness, and design. Over time, this becomes a powerful knowledge base.
Suggestion: Create folders like "SS-2mm-decorative", "CS-6mm-brackets", and attach photos of results for future reference.
Go Automated
Connect your laser cutter with robotic loaders, unloaders, or MES platforms for seamless scheduling and batch tracking.
Step 4: Maintenance = Long-Term Performance
Even the smartest tech needs care. Make this checklist a habit:
Clean lens and nozzle regularly
Monitor gas purity and pressure
Clear slag buildup from cutting bed
Calibrate the laser head every few weeks
For a more professional laser maintenance manual, Learn More.
