An Evaluation of the Cutting Potential of Different Types of High Power Lasers

Laser cutting is a widespread industrial process. The boundaries for the performance of the lasers in terms of cutting capabilities is steadily moving towards higher cutting rates and thicker section cutting. In this paper the potential of different high power laser sources in cutting is evaluated based upon the historical development, the available cutting mechanisms understanding and the critical parameters involved in high power laser cutting.

From the theoretical point of view, the new laser sources, the Disc-laser and the Fibre laser possess a potential of changing dramatically the limits for cutting performance. These theoretical considerations are evaluated against available cutting data.