How the 150kW Laser Cutter Transforms Manufacturing

The Rise of the 10kW Wave in Laser Cutting

In recent years, the 10kW wave has gained significant momentum and continues to sweep across the laser industry. The demand for high-power, high-efficiency, and high-quality 10kW ultra-high power laser cutting technology is unmistakable, shaping the future of manufacturing. Han’s Laser, a pioneer in laser intelligent equipment and automation, is committed to bringing lasers into everyday life, transforming industries, and driving industrial interconnectivity. On June 19, 2024, Han’s Laser delivered its first 150kW ultra-high power, large-format laser cutting machine, officially ushering in a new era of ultra-high power laser cutting applications worldwide.

Launch of the First 150 kW Laser Cutting Machine.

Leading the Future with 10kW

Typically, medium-thickness steel plates refer to those ranging from 10 to 25mm in thickness, while thick steel plates are between 25 to 60mm. Extra-thick steel plates exceed 60mm in thickness. These materials are widely used across various industries such as construction, bridges, shipbuilding, engineering machinery, nuclear power, and railways. Over recent years, industries like shipbuilding, engineering machinery, steel structures, and wind turbines have experienced substantial growth in demand, leading to an upward trend in thick plate processing. However, challenges such as carbon steel thick plate piercing issues, poor cut quality, stability problems, and batch processing inefficiency have hindered the advancement of manufacturing. Traditional methods struggle to meet the demands of modern high-end, green, and intelligent manufacturing.

In 2009, Han’s Laser introduced its first fiber laser cutting machine, renowned for fast cutting speeds, high precision, and minimal heat impact, making it ideal for thin plate applications. Plasma and flame cutting had some advantages in handling thicker plates, but they were often accompanied by lower efficiency, reduced precision, and significant material waste. As industrial technology and core laser components evolved, fiber laser cutting machines have become increasingly powerful, offering faster speeds and enabling cutting through ever-thicker materials.

Elevating Medium and Thick Plate Processing

As Han’s Laser rolled out 30kW, 40kW, 50kW, 60kW, and even 80kW ultra-high power laser cutting machines, the benefits for medium and thick plate processing became evident. These machines have gradually replaced plasma and flame cutting, demonstrating superior performance. In terms of cutting quality, Han’s Laser ultra-high power machines achieve precision within 0.5mm, with taper angles below 1°, and cut face verticality accuracy of 0.3 to 1.0mm. In comparison, plasma cutting machines typically have accuracy ranging from 1 to 2mm, with a taper angle around 1.5° and a cut face accuracy of 3 to 5mm, making secondary processing necessary. Ultra-high power laser cutting machines outperform plasma systems by offering superior precision, reduced heat-affected zones, minimal deformation, and the ability to weld directly without additional post-processing, thereby significantly enhancing product quality.

In terms of efficiency, ultra-high power laser cutting machines deliver a substantial performance advantage over plasma and flame cutting. For example, when cutting 25mm carbon steel, plasma cutting speeds are around 2.1m/min, while Han’s Laser’s 60kW ultra-high power machine achieves speeds of 7.5m/min, and the 80kW machine reaches 9.5m/min. Similarly, for 40mm high-strength steel, plasma cutting generally achieves speeds of 0.7 to 1.0m/min, whereas Han’s Laser’s 80kW machine can reach 4.0 to 4.5m/min, offering several times more efficiency. Furthermore, these machines have the capability to handle batch and stable cutting of stainless steel plates up to 100mm thick.

Unleashing High-Energy Productivity with the 150kW Laser Cutting Machine

Following the success of the 60kW and 80kW ultra-high power laser cutting machines, Han’s Laser has set its sights even higher with the introduction of the 150kW ultra-high power laser cutting machine. On June 19, 2024, Han’s Laser delivered its first 150kW ultra-high power, large-format machine, bringing unprecedented efficiency and a revolutionary cutting experience for thick plate applications.

The 150kW ultra-high power laser cutting machine requires superior mechanical performance. Han’s Laser has continually refined the integration of ultra-high power core components and mechanical structure, leading to the development of the LFA-150kW ultra-high power cutting machine. This machine offers stable and efficient production.

First, the machine’s bed incorporates a high-rigidity design with a large cross-sectional structure, crafted from high-quality steel. After forming, the steel plates are welded with embedded reinforcement ribs, followed by finite element analysis optimization. This ensures high precision through a series of processes, including annealing, rough machining, vibration stress relief, and final precision assembly.

Second, the machine’s beam employs a high-strength extruded aluminum design, optimized through finite element analysis to evenly distribute internal and external stresses. The lightweight design enhances dynamic performance, while the beam is connected to the bed through a self-adaptive telescopic structure, ensuring stable cutting even in varying environmental conditions.

Third, the LFA-150kW ultra-high power laser cutter machine features a standardized and modular assembly platform. The cutting table and machine bed are fully separated to mitigate thermal impact from high-power laser cutting, while avoiding the vibration and impact that often occur during heavy plate handling. Additionally, meticulous attention to details such as Z-axis rack and pinion, beam guide rails, and dust extraction systems ensures that the machine meets the rigorous demands of ultra-high power, large-format laser cutting.

Moreover, the LFA-150kW machine incorporates Han’s Laser’s proprietary HAN’S CNC system, boasting a system interpolation cycle of no more than 0.5ms. Equipped with a comprehensive expert database for 10kW cutting, the system offers zero-second piercing, stable thick plate cutting, low-pressure cutting, and clean cutting. During operation, users can adjust cutting parameters in real-time via an intuitive interface, displaying cutting speed, power, air pressure, focal length, and nozzle height.

Conclusion

The 150kW ultra-high power laser cutter addresses the limitations of laser cutting for thick plates, including carbon steel and stainless steel, and advances the capabilities for cutting thicknesses exceeding 400mm. Compared to the 60kW machine, cutting speeds for 50 to 100mm carbon steel and stainless steel have been increased by 3 to 5 times. The machine excels in high-efficiency, high-quality cutting with low operational costs, and its capabilities make it an ideal replacement for traditional, high-pollution, high-energy consumption cutting methods such as plasma, flame, and high-pressure water cutting. This makes it an indispensable tool for industries like shipbuilding, steel structures, engineering machinery, energy power, and rail transportation in their ongoing transformation and upgrade efforts.