How Accurate Is Laser Cutting?

  • May 29, 2025
  • Knowledge

Laser cutting is a highly advanced industrial technology that is widely used in various manufacturing fields. It can cut metal into the required shape and size accurately and efficiently. Today, let us explore how accurate laser cutting is.

First, we need to define what precision is. In the laser cutting machine industry, accuracy usually refers to the gap between the size of the cut and the size of the design drawing. Ideally, this gap should be 0, but due to the influence of various factors, there will always be a certain deviation between the actual cutting size and the designed size.

How Accurate Is Laser Cutting?

The accuracy of laser cutting mainly depends on the accuracy of the cutting equipment and the accuracy of the cutting process. Generally speaking, the positioning accuracy of the most advanced laser cutting machines can reach ±0.05mm, and the repeated positioning accuracy can reach ±0.03mm. This width is approximately one-fourth the width of a human hair. It is obvious that laser cutting is an efficient, safe and extremely accurate method compared to other traditional sheet metal cutting technologies.

Why Is Laser Cutting Accurate?

Computer control: Modern laser cutting machines are equipped with high-precision computer control systems, which can accurately control the path and speed of laser cutting according to design requirements.

Lens focusing: After the laser beam is focused by the lens, it can form a very small spot, making the cutting position very precise.

Beam consistency and stability: The beam generated by the laser is highly consistent and stable, and can form a stable, high energy density beam.

Non-contact cutting: Laser cutting is a non-contact processing. The laser beam acts directly on the surface of the material without generating mechanical stress and avoiding errors caused by contact.

Low Laser-Cutting Tolerances: The resultant cuts with laser-cutting mechanisms typically boast a very low range of variation from the intended design. Compared to manual cutting, the laser is a lot faster and more exact, with guaranteed identical and rapid cuts each time.

Main Methods To Improve Laser Cutting Accuracy:

Choose a high-quality laser cutter. High-quality cutting machines usually have higher positioning accuracy and repeatable positioning accuracy, and have a better balance between cutting speed and cutting quality.

Optimize cutting parameters. Cutting parameters (including laser power, cutting speed, cutting gas flow, etc.) have a great impact on cutting accuracy. By adjusting these parameters, cutting accuracy can be improved to a certain extent. For example, Using a smaller laser beam spot size guarantees more meticulous cuts compared to wider spot sizes.

Select the appropriate cutting gas. Different materials have different requirements for cutting gas. Choosing the appropriate cutting gas can improve the cutting quality and thus the cutting accuracy.

Glorystar is a company specialized in developing and producing laser machines and equipments. Our fiber laser cutting machine can cut workpieces with super high precision. We also have custom service to satisfy your demands. If you are interested and have other confusions about our precision cutting machines, come on and contact us!

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