The quality of the laser cutting process – and consequently the resulting cut edge quality –
is governed by a number of parameters related to the laser system, material, and the
process
2
(see Figure 8). The laser system parameters include the wavelength of the laser
radiation, maximum output laser power, and laser beam quality; the material parameters
include the material type and thickness; and the processing parameters include the used
laser power, cutting speed, focal length of the focusing lens, focal point position relative to
workpiece top surface, type and pressure of assist gas, nozzle diameter, and nozzle stand-off distance. For the cutting of a specific material and workpiece thickness using a
particular laser system, the processing parameters can be altered by the operator so as to
optimize the cutting process and obtain high cut quality at a high cutting speed for high
productivity. The laser system parameters - which are characteristics of the used laser
system - can not be modified by the operator.