Power of Lasers
What laser power means for fabrication.
Laser cutting power, measured in kilowatts, directly impacts how efficiently a material is processed. It influences cut speed, edge quality, and the ability to handle different material thicknesses. Flow offers power configurations up to 20 kilowatts, allowing manufacturers to choose the level that fits their production environment.
Higher Power = Faster Cutting
Higher wattage delivers more energy to the material, which speeds up cutting and allows for thicker cuts. But thin materials or precision parts often benefit from lower wattage to avoid overheating or distortion. Power selection is a strategic choice based on material, geometry, and finish requirements.
With a Flow Laser, you can cut .25” aluminum, mild steel, stainless steel at speeds of more than 400 inches/minute.
Matching Power to Material and Application
The ideal power range for your application depends on both material type and cut thickness. Thin aluminum may perform best with a 2-to-4-kilowatt system, while stainless or mild steel in the one-inch range requires more power. The right wattage helps maintain quality without sacrificing efficiency.
- Thin to medium-thickness metals (e.g. up to ~1" mild steel, ½" stainless)
- High-speed cutting of thin-gauge sheet metal
- Precision parts with tight tolerances and fine details
- + more
• Thicker material cutting at faster speeds
• Increased throughput in high-volume production
• Cutting a broader range of metals, including aluminum and copper alloys
• + more
• Ultra-fast cutting in production environments
• Clean edges in thick material (1"+)
• Demanding workloads where speed and edge quality matter
• + more