How many inches per minute can a laser cutter cut?

When clients ask how fast our machines can cut, I know they’re not just chasing numbers—they’re chasing profit. Every extra inch per minute means higher output, faster turnaround, and less bottleneck. But how fast is fast enough?

A high-power fiber laser can cut 1mm carbon steel at speeds exceeding 2,000 inches per minute, depending on wattage and material type. That’s lightyears beyond older CO₂ systems.

Let’s break this down. I’ll walk through real numbers, real use cases, and what these speeds actually mean for your workflow.

How fast can a laser cutter cut?

When people think of laser cutting, they often imagine slow, deliberate passes—maybe from experience with an outdated CO₂ machine. But fiber lasers flipped the script. Now, speed is a competitive edge.

With the right fiber laser and setup, you can reach speeds over 3,500 inches per minute on thin metals. That speed multiplies output for industrial shops and slashes lead times.

Why wattage matters more than you think

A fiber laser¹’s speed is heavily dependent on its power output. At Kirin Laser, our machines range from 1kW to 12kW, covering nearly every cutting need from precision micro parts to full steel plates.

Here’s a quick reference comparing cutting speeds² for 1mm thick metal:

Material	2kW Laser	3kW Laser	6kW Laser	12kW Laser
Carbon Steel	~708 IPM	—	~2,165 IPM	~3,543 IPM
Stainless Steel	—	~2,165 IPM	~2,756 IPM	~3,150 IPM
Aluminum	—	~1,968 IPM	~2,362 IPM	~2,756 IPM

But these numbers are only half the story.

Real-world impact: A client case study

A few months ago, I helped a metal signage shop in the Midwest. They were stuck with an aging CO₂ system³, barely managing 300 IPM on stainless steel. We replaced it with a 3kW Kirin fiber laser. Instantly, they hit 1,800+ IPM on 1mm stainless. Their words, not mine: “It’s a production lifesaver.”

What is the maximum thickness a laser cutter can cut?

Speed is exciting. But power is what opens doors to thicker materials. At some point, it’s less about inches per minute and more about: can you cut it at all?

The maximum thickness a laser can cut depends on wattage, gas type, and material. For example, a 12kW fiber laser can cleanly cut up to 40mm mild steel.

Thickness isn’t just about power

Laser cutting thick metals isn’t as simple as cranking up the wattage. Here's what else matters:

Key factors beyond wattage

• Gas assist⁴: Oxygen vs. nitrogen plays a huge role in thickness and edge quality.
• Cutting head design⁵: High-speed heads improve cut quality on thicker sections.
• Nozzle type and diameter⁶: Affects gas flow and beam focus.

Here’s a general guide based on Kirin Laser machines:

Laser Power	Max Thickness (Mild Steel)	Max Thickness (Stainless)	Max Thickness (Aluminum)
2kW	12mm	6mm	5mm
6kW	25mm	16mm	12mm
12kW	40mm	30mm	25mm

We’ve cut thicker. But past a point, speed drops and finish needs post-processing.

Customer insight: Why maximum thickness isn’t always the goal

Some buyers focus too much on the max cut claim. But unless you’re routinely cutting 30–40mm stock, you might be overpaying. One of my clients upgraded from 2kW to 6kW not to cut thicker, but to cut 12mm carbon steel faster—their output doubled without needing new workflows.

How thick can a 2000W laser cut?

Not everyone needs top-tier wattage. For many metal shops, a 2kW laser offers the perfect mix of affordability and capability. But there are limits.

A 2kW fiber laser can cut up to 12mm mild steel, 6mm stainless, and 5mm aluminum—assuming proper setup and gas assist.

What makes a 2kW laser worth considering?

Balanced power-to-price ratio

For entry-level or mid-sized shops, 2kW lasers⁷ are the sweet spot. Here’s why:

• Lower cost of ownership⁸: Less power means smaller energy bills.
• Sufficient for thin to medium plates: Great for signage, enclosures, brackets.
• More stable for detailed parts: Less thermal distortion⁹.

Material	Max Cut Thickness	Speed (1mm sheet)
Carbon Steel	12mm	~708 IPM
Stainless Steel	6mm	~500–600 IPM
Aluminum	5mm	~400–500 IPM

We ship a lot of 2kW systems to clients doing light fabrication. For example, an HVAC parts supplier in Texas cut their production time in half by switching from plasma to our 2kW fiber laser. It wasn’t about max thickness—it was about clean edges, speed, and no rework.

What you lose with lower power

There’s always trade-off:

• Thicker materials become slow or impossible.
• Edge finish on thicker stainless may require grinding.
• Can’t run full speed with nitrogen on thicker gauges.

Still, for many, it’s more than enough.

What is the average speed of a cutter?

Now let’s zoom out. Instead of talking about maximums, what does a typical job look like day-to-day?

For a 3kW–6kW fiber laser cutting 1–3mm sheets, average speeds range from 1,500 to 2,500 IPM. Thicker parts will reduce that to 300–800 IPM depending on material.

Typical shop scenarios

Let’s say you're cutting batches of 3mm stainless brackets:

• 3kW laser¹⁰: ~800–1,200 IPM
• 6kW laser: ~1,400–1,800 IPM

Or you’re cutting 6mm carbon steel panels:

• 3kW laser: ~300–500 IPM
• 6kW laser: ~600–900 IPM

Thickness	Material	3kW Speed (IPM)	6kW Speed (IPM)
1mm	Stainless Steel	~2,165	~2,756
3mm	Stainless Steel	~1,000	~1,600
6mm	Carbon Steel	~500	~900

Why averages matter more than peaks

Production isn’t about single-sheet speed records. It's about total throughput¹¹. That includes pierce time¹², part spacing, lead-ins, and downtime. When clients ask about speed, I always say: think in jobs per hour, not just inches per minute.

One aerospace client used to chase max cut speeds, but they saw the biggest efficiency gains after optimizing nesting and pierce reduction. Their IPM didn’t change much—but their output went up 30%.

Conclusion

Cutting speed isn’t just a number—it’s a strategic asset. Whether you're running a 2kW system on light steel¹³ or a 12kW beast slicing through thick plate, speed means competitive edge. But power must match your workflow. At Kirin Laser, we tailor machines for real-world use, not just spec sheets. Because in this business, every inch per minute counts.

If you're ready to rethink your cutting speed, let’s talk.