GWEIKE M Series Laser Cutting Parameters: 800W & 1200W Complete Guide

In this guide
  1. Who this guide is for
  2. Safety requirements
  3. Gas selection guide
  4. Stainless steel parameters
  5. Carbon steel parameters
  6. Aluminum parameters
  7. Brass parameters
  8. General setup notes
  9. Troubleshooting
  10. FAQ

This article provides factory reference cutting parameters for the GWEIKE M series 6-in-1 laser workstation — both the M800 (800W) and M1200 (1200W) configurations. Parameters cover stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum, and brass, with settings for nitrogen, air, and oxygen assist gas.

CNC cutting mode only: The parameters in this article apply to the M series CNC gantry cutting configuration with the fixed cutting head mounted on the machine frame. They do not apply to the handheld laser cutting or welding heads available on the M series. For handheld welding parameters, see the handheld laser welding parameters guide.

These are starting points developed under standard factory conditions. Your actual results will depend on your specific machine calibration, gas supply, cutting head, and ambient conditions. Always validate on scrap material before running production.

Who this guide is for

The GWEIKE M series is designed for small-to-medium metal fabrication workshops, custom parts production, and studio-scale cutting operations. It handles thin-to-medium sheet metal well and covers the majority of stainless steel and carbon steel thicknesses used in workshop and light fabrication settings.

It is not a substitute for large-format industrial fiber laser cutting lines handling continuous thick-plate production. If your regular workload involves carbon steel above 10mm at high volume, a higher-power industrial machine will be a better fit. If you need precision cutting of stainless steel, aluminum, and brass up to 6mm for prototyping, small-batch production, or workshop capability expansion — the M series parameters below cover that range.

M800 vs M1200 at a glance:

Material / Gas M800 max thickness M1200 max thickness Speed at 3mm SS N₂
Stainless steel — N₂ 4 mm 6 mm 1.5–2 m/min (800W) · 4.5 m/min (1200W)
Carbon steel — O₂ 8 mm 12 mm —
Aluminum — N₂ 2 mm 3 mm —
Brass — N₂ 2 mm 3 mm —

Before you cut: safety requirements

Fiber laser cutting at these power levels involves high-intensity laser radiation, pressurized gas systems, and — when cutting carbon steel with oxygen — a combustion process with an elevated fire risk. Read these requirements before operating the machine.

⚠ Safety requirements

Laser safety
Always wear appropriate laser safety eyewear with an optical density rating matched to your laser wavelength and power. Keep all bystanders outside the beam hazard zone. Do not bypass any interlocks or safety covers.
Ventilation and fume extraction
Laser cutting produces metal fume, particulate, and in some cases toxic metal oxides. Ensure adequate mechanical ventilation or fume extraction is running before starting any cut. Do not operate in an unventilated space.
Oxygen cutting fire risk
Cutting carbon steel with oxygen involves a sustained combustion reaction at the cut front. Keep the work area clear of flammable material. Maintain a fire extinguisher rated for metal fires within reach during O₂ cutting. Do not leave the machine unattended while cutting with oxygen. Never use plastic fittings or unrated components in an oxygen delivery system.
High-pressure nitrogen
N₂ assist gas operates at 12–16 bar. Use only rated, certified gas delivery components. Check all connections before pressurizing.
Follow the official user manual
These parameters assume a trained operator. Read and follow all safety instructions in the GWEIKE M series user manual before operating the machine.

Quick navigation

Jump to the parameters you need:

Gas selection guide

Choosing the right assist gas is one of the most important setup decisions for fiber laser cutting. Using the wrong gas — or the wrong gas for a given thickness — is a common cause of poor cut quality, excessive dross, or cut failure.

Nitrogen (N₂)

Purity ≥ 99.999% · 12–16 bar at cutting head

Primary gas for stainless steel, aluminum, and brass at all thicknesses, and for thin carbon steel (1–2mm). Suppresses oxidation: the high-pressure stream blows the melt out of the kerf before it reacts with oxygen. Result: clean, bright, oxide-free cut edge.

Air

6 bar at cutting head

Lower-cost alternative to nitrogen. Produces a slightly oxidized cut edge. Appropriate for thin material where strict edge quality is not required. Air cutting runs at lower frequency (1000–2000Hz vs 5000Hz for N₂) and lower speed.

Oxygen (O₂)

Purity ≥ 99.99% · 0.3–0.65 bar at cutting head

Used for carbon steel from 3mm upward only. O₂ reacts exothermically with carbon steel — the combustion provides additional energy that enables cutting at thicknesses the laser alone cannot achieve reliably. Requires double-layer nozzle and positive focus (+14mm).

Do not use O₂ on stainless steel, aluminum, or brass. See fire safety requirements above before running O₂ cutting.

Test conditions: Parameters developed using GWEIKE M series machines under: ambient temperature 20–25°C, fresh nozzles, focus calibrated for each lens configuration, gas pressure verified at the cutting head. Material grades: SS304 stainless steel, Q235 mild steel, 6061 aluminum, standard yellow brass. Results may vary by individual installation.

What the columns mean

Thickness (mm)Verify with a caliper — nominal and actual thickness can differ.
Speed (m/min)For ranges, start at the higher end and reduce if quality issues appear.
Frequency (Hz)Pre-matched to gas type. Do not adjust without a specific reason.
Focus (mm offset)0 = at surface. Negative = above surface (thin material). Positive = inside material (+14mm for O₂ on thick carbon steel).
Nozzle"Single" for N₂ and Air. "Double" (double-layer) for O₂ on carbon steel. Must change when switching between N₂ and O₂.
Height (mm)Nozzle tip to material surface — controlled by the capacitive sensor.
Pressure (bar)At the cutting head, not at the source. Pressure drop through long lines is real — verify at the head.
Duty cycle (%)100% for most entries; 88–95% for thicker carbon steel at high power.

Stainless steel cutting parameters

N₂ is the standard gas for applications requiring a bright, oxide-free edge. Air produces a slightly darker, lightly oxidized edge at lower cost.

1200W — Stainless steel with N₂ (12–16 bar)

Thickness (mm) Speed (m/min) Freq (Hz) Focus (mm) Nozzle Height (mm) Gas Pressure (bar) Duty (%) Power (W)
1 15 5000 0 1.5 or 2.0 single 0.5 N₂ 12–16 100 1200
2 13 5000 –2 1.5 or 2.0 single 0.5 N₂ 12–16 100 1200
3 4.5 5000 –2 1.5 or 2.0 single 0.5 N₂ 12–16 100 1200
4 2 5000 –4 2.0 single 0.5 N₂ 12–16 100 1200
5 1.1 5000 –5 3.0 single 0.5 N₂ 12–16 100 1200
6 0.6 5000 –5 3.0 single 0.5 N₂ 12–16 100 1200

1200W — Stainless steel with Air (6 bar)

Thickness (mm) Speed (m/min) Freq (Hz) Focus (mm) Nozzle Height (mm) Gas Pressure (bar) Duty (%) Power (W)
0.8 16–20 2000 0 2.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 1200
1.7 9–12 2000 –1 2.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 1200
3 3–4 2000 –1 2.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 1200
4 2–3 2000 –1 2.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 1200
5 1.6–2 2000 –1 2.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 1200
6 0.8–1.2 2000 –1 2.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 1200

800W — Stainless steel with N₂ (12–16 bar)

Thickness (mm) Speed (m/min) Freq (Hz) Focus (mm) Nozzle Height (mm) Gas Pressure (bar) Duty (%) Power (W)
1 12 5000 0 1.5 or 2.0 single 0.5 N₂ 12–16 100 800
2 6–9 5000 –2 1.5 or 2.0 single 0.5 N₂ 12–16 100 800
3 1.5–2 5000 –2 1.5 or 2.0 single 0.5 N₂ 12–16 100 800
4 0.8–1.0 5000 –4 2.0 single 0.5 N₂ 12–16 100 800

800W — Stainless steel with Air (6 bar)

Thickness (mm) Speed (m/min) Freq (Hz) Focus (mm) Nozzle Height (mm) Gas Pressure (bar) Duty (%) Power (W)
0.8 12 2000 0 2.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 800
1.7 6–9 2000 –1 2.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 800
3 2–3 2000 –1 3.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 800
4 0.8–1.2 2000 –1 3.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 800

1200W vs 800W on stainless steel: At 3mm N₂, the 1200W cuts at 4.5 m/min vs 1.5–2 m/min for the 800W — approximately 2–3x faster on medium-gauge stainless. The 800W reference parameters top out at 4mm stainless N₂; the 1200W covers up to 6mm.

Carbon steel cutting parameters

Thin carbon steel (1–2mm) follows a similar pattern to stainless steel. From 3mm upward, the process changes completely — gas, nozzle, and focus all change together.

Critical setup note — carbon steel above 3mm: Cutting carbon steel at 3mm and above requires switching to oxygen (O₂) assist gas, a double-layer nozzle, and a positive focus position (+14mm). All three must change together. Attempting to cut thick carbon steel with N₂ using the thin-sheet parameters will typically result in incomplete penetration or cut failure. O₂ parameters use dramatically lower gas pressure (0.3–0.65 bar vs 12–16 bar for N₂). See the fire safety requirements above before running O₂ cutting. Keep a fire extinguisher rated for metal fires accessible during O₂ cutting operations.

1200W — Carbon steel with N₂, 1–2mm

Thickness (mm) Speed (m/min) Freq (Hz) Focus (mm) Nozzle Height (mm) Gas Pressure (bar) Duty (%) Power (W)
1 15 5000 0 2.0 single 0.5 N₂ 12–16 100 1200
2 6.5 5000 –1 2.0 single 0.5 N₂ 12–16 100 1200

1200W — Carbon steel with O₂, 3–12mm

Thickness (mm) Speed (m/min) Freq (Hz) Focus (mm) Nozzle Height (mm) Gas Pressure (bar) Duty (%) Power (W)
3 2.5 5000 +14 1.2 or 1.5 double 1 O₂ 0.3 100 1200
4 2.2 5000 +14 1.2 or 1.5 double 1 O₂ 0.65 100 1200
5 2.0 5000 +14 1.2 or 1.5 double 1 O₂ 0.3 100 1200
6 1.6 5000 +14 1.5 double 1 O₂ 0.55 100 1200
8 0.8 5000 +14 4.0 double 0.6 O₂ 0.6 88 1200
10 0.66 5000 +14 4.0 double 0.6 O₂ 0.6 88 1200
12 0.4 5000 +14 4.0 double 0.6 O₂ 0.6 95 1200

1200W — Carbon steel with Air (6 bar)

Thickness (mm) Speed (m/min) Freq (Hz) Focus (mm) Nozzle Height (mm) Gas Pressure (bar) Duty (%) Power (W)
1 17–20 1000 –1 2.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 1200
2 8 1000 –1 2.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 1200
3 4 1000 –1 2.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 1200
4 2 1000 –1 2.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 1200
5 1.5 1000 –1 2.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 1200
6 0.6 1000 –1 2.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 1200

800W — Carbon steel N₂ (1–2mm) and O₂ (3–8mm)

Thickness (mm) Speed (m/min) Freq (Hz) Focus (mm) Nozzle Height (mm) Gas Pressure (bar) Duty (%) Power (W)
1 12 5000 0 2.0 single 0.5 N₂ 12–16 100 800
2 6.5 5000 –1 2.0 single 0.5 N₂ 12–16 100 800
3 1.6–2 5000 +14 1.2 or 1.5 double 1 O₂ 0.3 100 800
4 1.2–1.6 5000 +14 1.2 or 1.5 double 1 O₂ 0.65 100 800
5 0.8–1.0 5000 +14 4.0 double 1 O₂ 0.3 100 800
6 0.6–0.8 5000 +14 4.0 double 1 O₂ 0.55 100 800
8 0.4–0.6 5000 +14 4.0 double 0.6 O₂ 0.6 88 800

800W — Carbon steel with Air (6 bar)

Thickness (mm) Speed (m/min) Freq (Hz) Focus (mm) Nozzle Height (mm) Gas Pressure (bar) Duty (%) Power (W)
1 12 1000 –1 2.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 800
2 4 1000 –1 2.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 800
3 2 1000 –1 2.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 800

1200W vs 800W on carbon steel: The 1200W reference parameters extend to 12mm O₂; the 800W tops out at 8mm. At 8mm O₂, the 800W runs at 0.4–0.6 m/min vs 0.8 m/min for the 1200W. The M800 is not recommended for regular production use above 8mm carbon steel.

Aluminum cutting parameters

Aluminum cuts with both N₂ and Air. Note: the Air parameter set covers slightly thicker aluminum (up to 4mm on 1200W) than N₂ (up to 3mm on 1200W). Results may vary by alloy grade and surface condition. Polished or mirror-finish aluminum carries a back-reflection risk — ensure back-reflection protection is active before cutting.

1200W — Aluminum with N₂ (12–16 bar)

Thickness (mm) Speed (m/min) Freq (Hz) Focus (mm) Nozzle Height (mm) Gas Pressure (bar) Duty (%) Power (W)
1 15 5000 0 2.0 single 0.5 N₂ 12–16 100 1200
2 6 5000 0 2.0 single 0.5 N₂ 12–16 100 1200
3 1 5000 –2 2.0 single 1 N₂ 12–16 100 1200

1200W — Aluminum with Air (6 bar)

Thickness (mm) Speed (m/min) Freq (Hz) Focus (mm) Nozzle Height (mm) Gas Pressure (bar) Duty (%) Power (W)
1 13 1000 –1 2.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 1200
2 6 1000 –1 2.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 1200
3 3 1000 –1 2.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 1200
4 1.2 1000 –1 2.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 1200

800W — Aluminum with N₂ and Air

Thickness (mm) Speed (m/min) Freq (Hz) Focus (mm) Nozzle Gas Pressure (bar) Duty (%) Power (W)
1 (N₂) 8 5000 0 2.0 single N₂ 12–16 100 800
2 (N₂) 1.5 5000 0 2.0 single N₂ 12–16 100 800
1 (Air) 8 1000 –1 2.0 single Air 6 100 800
2 (Air) 1 1000 –1 2.0 single Air 6 100 800

Brass cutting parameters

Brass conducts heat very well and cutting speed drops sharply with thickness — at 3mm N₂ on the 1200W, speed is 1.2 m/min. Reference data covers up to 3mm for the 1200W and up to 2mm for the 800W on both N₂ and Air.

1200W — Brass with N₂ (12–16 bar)

Thickness (mm) Speed (m/min) Freq (Hz) Focus (mm) Nozzle Height (mm) Gas Pressure (bar) Duty (%) Power (W)
1 15 5000 0 2.0 single 0.5 N₂ 12–16 100 1200
2 5 5000 –1 2.0 single 1 N₂ 12–16 100 1200
3 1.2 5000 –4 3.0 single 1 N₂ 12–16 100 1200

1200W — Brass with Air (6 bar)

Thickness (mm) Speed (m/min) Freq (Hz) Focus (mm) Nozzle Height (mm) Gas Pressure (bar) Duty (%) Power (W)
1 10 1000 –1 2.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 1200
2 5 1000 –1 2.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 1200
3 1 1000 –1 2.0 single 0.3 Air 6 100 1200

800W — Brass with N₂ and Air

Thickness (mm) Speed (m/min) Freq (Hz) Focus (mm) Nozzle Gas Pressure (bar) Duty (%) Power (W)
1 (N₂) 8 5000 0 2.0 single N₂ 12–16 100 800
2 (N₂) 1 5000 –1 2.0 single N₂ 12–16 100 800
1 (Air) 5 1000 –1 2.0 single Air 6 100 800
2 (Air) 1 1000 –1 2.0 single Air 6 100 800

General setup notes

Gas purity requirementsLiquid nitrogen ≥ 99.999%. Liquid oxygen ≥ 99.99%. Contaminated gas causes cut quality problems — if you are seeing unexpected dross or discoloration on a material that has previously cut cleanly, verify gas purity before adjusting laser parameters.
Pressure measurement pointAll pressure values refer to the pressure at the cutting head, not at the gas source or regulator. Pressure drop through long lines or undersized tubing is real. If your cutting head pressure doesn't match the source setting, check for leaks, kinks, or undersized components in the gas delivery path.
Nozzle conditionA worn or damaged nozzle tip produces asymmetric gas flow that directly affects cut quality. Inspect nozzles regularly. For O₂ cutting of thick carbon steel, double nozzle condition is critical — even minor contamination affects gas flow consistency. For more detail, see the fiber laser cutting nozzle guide.
Focus calibrationThe focus position values assume a correctly calibrated focus for your specific lens. If your machine has been recently serviced, lens replaced, or collimator adjusted, re-run your focus calibration procedure before using these parameters.

Troubleshooting common cutting problems

Dross on the underside of stainless steel (N₂ cutting)

Cause: Speed too slow, or N₂ pressure at the cutting head below 12 bar. The melt isn't being ejected fast enough from the kerf.

Fix: Increase speed by 10–15% and verify cutting head pressure. Check for pressure drop in the gas line. If pressure is confirmed correct, verify nozzle condition.

Incomplete penetration on thick carbon steel

Cause: Most often a failure to switch from N₂ to O₂ when moving to 3mm+, or O₂ pressure set too high (which suppresses the oxidation reaction rather than supporting it).

Fix: Confirm gas is O₂, nozzle is double-layer, and focus is +14mm. Reduce O₂ pressure to the parametric value — if pressure is above 1 bar for carbon steel cutting, it will suppress the cut. Verify the nozzle is centered and undamaged.

Cut edge oxidation on stainless steel

Cause: N₂ purity below 99.999%, or N₂ pressure dropping below 12 bar during the cut. Even brief pressure drops cause oxidation streaks.

Fix: Check gas supply — if the cylinder or dewar is nearly empty, pressure fluctuation is common. Verify cutting head pressure under cutting conditions (not just statically). Switch to a fresh gas supply.

Aluminum back-reflection alarm

Cause: The machine's back-reflection protection has detected significant beam return from the aluminum surface. Polished or mirror-finish aluminum is particularly susceptible.

Fix: Stop the cut. Inspect cutting head alignment and confirm the standoff height is correct. Verify focus calibration. Reduce speed slightly to change the cut front geometry. Do not resume until the cause has been identified. Do not disable the back-reflection protection.

Brass cutting speed significantly below table values

Cause: Brass alloy composition affects cutting speed — the reference values are for standard yellow brass. High-zinc alloys, phosphor bronze, or other brass variants may cut more slowly.

Fix: Run a test cut at 70–80% of the tabulated speed and work upward. Adjust focus to –2 or –3 if the bottom edge shows excessive dross.

Frequently asked questions

What gas should I use to cut stainless steel with the M series?

Nitrogen (N₂) at 12–16 bar for a clean, oxide-free cut edge — the standard choice where weld quality or surface appearance matters. Air at 6 bar as a lower-cost option where a slightly oxidized edge is acceptable. Do not use oxygen on stainless steel — it will cause severe surface oxidation.

Can the GWEIKE M1200 cut 10mm carbon steel?

The M1200 has factory reference parameters for carbon steel at 10mm using O₂ assist gas: 0.6 bar, 4.0 double nozzle, focus +14mm, speed 0.66 m/min, 88% duty cycle. These are starting-point values — confirm with a test cut on scrap before running production. The M800 factory reference parameters do not include entries above 8mm carbon steel; the M800 is not recommended for regular production use at that thickness.

Why do I need to switch to oxygen and a double nozzle for carbon steel above 3mm?

For thin carbon steel (1–2mm), N₂ works the same way it does on stainless — high pressure blows the melt out of the kerf. At 3mm and above, the melt volume is too large for N₂ alone to clear reliably. Oxygen is used instead because it reacts exothermically with the carbon steel, providing additional energy that helps drive the cutting front through thicker material. This process requires a controlled, low-pressure O₂ stream (0.3–0.65 bar) and a double nozzle. All three changes — gas, nozzle, and focus — are required together.

What's the difference between cutting with 800W and 1200W?

Speed and maximum material thickness in the reference parameters. At 3mm stainless N₂, the 1200W runs at 4.5 m/min vs 1.5–2 m/min for the 800W. The 1200W reference parameters extend to thicker material: 6mm stainless N₂, 12mm carbon steel O₂, 3mm aluminum N₂. The 800W reference parameters top out at 4mm stainless N₂ and 8mm carbon steel O₂.

Why does the focus position change with material thickness?

The focus position determines where the laser beam's energy is most concentrated within the kerf. For thin material, focusing at or slightly above the surface (0 to –2mm) produces the narrowest kerf and cleanest edge. As thickness increases, placing the focus slightly deeper maintains useful energy density across the full cut depth. For O₂ cutting of thick carbon steel, the +14mm focus position concentrates energy at the bottom of the cut front where the oxidation reaction needs to be sustained.

Important disclaimer: The parameters in this article were developed under factory standard conditions and apply to the M series CNC gantry cutting mode only — not to handheld cutting operations. Due to differences in machine configuration, water cooling, ambient environment, cutting nozzle, gas purity, gas pressure at the cutting head, focus calibration, and material grade, actual results may require adjustment. All parameters are starting-point reference values only and do not constitute a guarantee of results. Verify on scrap material before running production. Oxygen cutting operations must comply with applicable fire safety and gas handling regulations. Gas purity: liquid O₂ ≥ 99.99%; liquid N₂ ≥ 99.999%. All pressure values refer to monitored pressure at the cutting head.

The M800 and M1200 cover the majority of thin-to-medium sheet metal cutting at workshop and small-production scale. The M1200 extends your range on both speed and maximum thickness. Both use the same gas types and cutting workflow described in this guide.

View the GWEIKE M series 6-in-1 laser workstation →
Related guides What is a 6-in-1 laser machine — M series overview and 6-in-1 capability breakdown.

GWEIKE M series workstation guide — full product and configuration overview.

Handheld laser welding parameters: 800W and 1200W — welding parameters for the same materials.

GWEIKE M2 vs M3: which M series is best — configuration comparison.

Fiber laser cutting nozzle guide — nozzle selection and maintenance.

 

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