XT LASER
How Fast Is the Piercing Speed of a High-Power Laser Cutting Machine on 20mm Carbon Steel?
Written by Steven, Technical Operations at XT LASERPublished: June 2026 | Read Time: 3mins
TL;DR:Piercing time typically ranges from 0.1 seconds to 3-5 seconds, depending on laser power and process parameters.
Key Factors Affecting Piercing Speed
In terms of piercing method, 20mm thick carbon steel typically uses step piercing—penetrating in stages to prevent spatter and hole bursting.
Oxygen is used as the assist gas, with pressure set at 0.5-1.3 bar.
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In parameter optimization, the primary and secondary factors affecting piercing quality are: piercing gas pressure, piercing time, piercing height, and duty cycle.
Cutting-Edge Technology
By 2026, high-end equipment has widely adopted dynamic frequency piercing technology, which achieves “instant piercing” by rapidly modulating laser frequency and focus height.
A 60kW machine cutting 20mm carbon steel, combined with a cutting speed of 11-12 meters per minute, delivers overall efficiency four times that of a 20kW machine.
Practical Recommendations
Start with the parameters recommended by the equipment supplier—different brands and configurations vary significantly.
When piercing is complete, spatter noticeably decreases and the airflow sound changes—these can be used to determine the end of piercing.
Excessively fast piercing may increase spatter and slag adhesion, so a balance must be struck between speed and quality.
Summary
Higher power means faster piercing (6kW: ~3-5s, 40kW+: <0.1s), but it must be combined with step piercing and parameter optimization to balance efficiency and quality. Use supplier-recommended values as a baseline and gradually optimize through on-site test cutting.
The above data is compiled based on general industry technical data. On-site test cutting is recommended for verification.
For a more specific quote or brand comparison, we recommend providing your processing thickness, sheet type, and daily output directly to XTLaser. We will give you a precise configuration solution.
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Need exact parameters for a specific jewelry thickness? Contact our technical team today!
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