How is laser cutting speed estimated?

This calculator starts with a simplified material, thickness, and power model, then adjusts for assist gas and edge-quality target. Use the result as a planning feed rate and confirm final settings with your machine cut chart.

Can I use the speed result for a production quote?

Use it as an early quote assumption only. Before committing production pricing, compare the result with CAM output, machine cut charts, and measured jobs for the same material and thickness.

How do I convert m/min to IPM?

Multiply meters per minute by 39.37 to get inches per minute. The calculator also shows mm/s and seconds per meter so you can move the speed into cycle-time estimates.

Quick feed-rate calculator

Laser Cutting Speed Calculator

Use this laser cutting speed calculator to estimate feed rate from material, thickness, laser power, assist gas, and quality target. Review speed in m/min, IPM, and mm/s before moving into cycle-time or quote calculations.

Best next step

Compare this planning speed against the cutting speed reference, then use it to estimate cycle time or validate the speed assumption in the full laser cutting calculator.

Calculate cycle time Cutting speed reference

Speed Inputs

Enter material, thickness, power, gas, and quality target to estimate cutting speed.

How This Speed Estimate Works

1. Baseline speed

Material, thickness, and laser power create the first feed-rate estimate.

2. Gas adjustment

Assist gas adjusts the estimate where process behavior commonly differs by gas choice.

3. Quality target

Fast, balanced, and quality-focused modes make edge-quality tradeoffs explicit.

Quote tools and reference data

Quote tools

Production checks

Reference