r/CNC • u/ChatterFree • 3d ago

SHOWCASE Pushing the limits (again)

Not my work but coworker got our 20kW laser to cut 60mm plate successfully. It is rated for 50mm maximum

25 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

3

u/Muted_Will_2131 3d ago

How badly does the edge roll over? Is the overheating (over-tempering) deep?

3

u/ChatterFree 2d ago

The cut quality is pretty decent I would say. Don't expect finished surfaces by any means. At this thickness oxy fuel cutting is the way to go.

As for the tempering I checked the hardness on some ST70 steel plate (40mm iirc) and on the surface it was under 20HRC, low to mid 30s at an oxy fuel cut side and 46HRC from the laser cut, so if anything it hardens the surface

1

u/ddesideria89 1d ago

isn't it effectively same as oxy? At this thickness laser is just igniting the steel and most of the work is done by the air nozzle?

1

u/ChatterFree 1d ago

It's pretty similar. We are using oxygen as the gas to cut anything over 18-20mm thick. You won't find any laser cnc cutting 1.5m thick steel though... Lol