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In this guide
You just set up the MCore. The machine is connected, Mlaser is installed, and the first question is: what parameters do I use?
This guide provides tested cutting parameters for the MCore 400W fiber laser (metal) and 80W CO₂ laser (acrylic and non-metals), along with the configuration decisions that affect results before you touch the parameters — laser head selection, air assist setup, and the Open delay logic that determines whether your first pierce cuts cleanly.
All metal parameters in this guide were tested on MCore units under standard operating conditions. Acrylic parameters are based on CO₂ platform test data adjusted for the MCore's 80W source. Always run a test pass on scrap material before cutting production workpieces.
Step 0: choose your laser head
Before setting any parameters, confirm which laser source handles your material. The MCore runs two independent laser heads — selecting the wrong one produces either no cut or a damaged workpiece.
| Material | Laser head | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless steel, carbon steel | Fiber 400W | 1064nm absorbed by metal; CO₂ wavelength reflects off bare metal |
| Aluminum, brass, copper, titanium | Fiber 400W | Fiber wavelength couples into metal efficiently across all common alloys |
| Acrylic (clear, colored, cast) | CO₂ 80W | 10,600nm absorbed by organic materials; fiber beam passes through clear acrylic |
| Wood, MDF, plywood | CO₂ 80W | CO₂ wavelength absorbed by cellulose; fiber would pass through or char unevenly |
| Leather, fabric, rubber | CO₂ 80W | CO₂ for all organic and non-metallic materials |
| Mixed job (metal frame + acrylic panel) | Fiber → CO₂ in sequence | Set up separate layers in Mlaser, assign laser head per layer |
The fiber laser cannot cut acrylic cleanly — the 1064nm beam passes through clear acrylic without sufficient absorption for a clean cut. The CO₂ laser cannot cut bare metal — the 10,600nm wavelength reflects rather than being absorbed by metal surfaces. On the MCore, the two sources are physically complementary, not interchangeable.
Air assist configuration: what each setup does
The MCore's All-in-One Air Supply System delivers 1.2MPa compressed air. For metal cutting, you can also connect external N₂ or O₂ gas. The gas choice affects cut quality significantly — not just speed.
Compressed Air — 1.2MPa (built-in)
Blows molten metal and smoke out of the kerf. Practical for thin-metal cutting (≤1.0mm) without gas cylinders. Cut edges on stainless steel will show some oxidation. Easiest starting configuration for most small-studio applications.
Nitrogen (N₂) — 12–16 bar external
Inert gas suppresses oxidation at the cut front, producing a bright, oxide-free edge on stainless steel. Required where weld quality, coating adhesion, or cut edge appearance matters. Higher cost and supply setup required.
Oxygen (O₂) — 0.3–1.0 bar external
Reacts exothermically with carbon steel, providing additional cutting energy for thicker material. Produces an oxidized (darker) edge. Most effective on carbon steel 1.0mm+.
⚠ Do NOT use O₂ on stainless steel, aluminum, or brass — causes severe surface oxidation. Parameters in this guide were tested with O₂ unless noted.
Metal cutting parameters — Fiber 400W
These parameters were tested on MCore units cutting stainless steel and carbon steel with O₂ assist gas. If you are using the built-in air assist system instead of O₂, reduce cutting speed by approximately 15–20% as a starting point and verify on scrap.
Open delay controls how long the laser dwells at the pierce point before the head begins moving. It ensures the material is fully penetrated before the cut path starts. If your cuts are starting with an incomplete pierce or a rough lead-in, Open delay is the first parameter to increase.
Stainless steel — O₂ assist
| Thickness | Speed (mm/s) | Power (%) | O₂ pressure (MPa) | Open delay (ms) | Dot interval (s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4mm | 120–150 | 85–95 | 0.2–0.4 | 400–600 | 400–600 |
| 0.6mm | 100–130 | 85–95 | 0.4–0.6 | 400–600 | 400–600 |
| 0.8mm | 80–100 | 85–95 | 0.4–0.6 | 400–600 | 400–600 |
| 1.0mm | 40–60 | 85–95 | 0.6–0.8 | 400–600 | 400–600 |
| 1.2mm | 30–50 | 85–95 | 0.6–0.8 | 400–600 | 400–600 |
| 1.5mm | 20–30 | 85–95 | 0.8–1.0 | 800 | 800 |
| 2.0mm | 10–20 | 85–95 | 0.8–1.0 | 800 | 800 |
Carbon steel — O₂ assist
Carbon steel cuts at similar speeds to stainless steel at thin gauges. At 1.5mm and above, the exothermic O₂ reaction becomes more pronounced on carbon steel — you may find the upper end of the speed range more reliable than on stainless at the same thickness. Use the stainless steel table as your starting reference and increase speed by 10–15% if the edge shows excess slag on carbon steel.
Acrylic cutting parameters — CO₂ 80W
The MCore's 80W CO₂ laser cuts acrylic using the same fundamental process as desktop CO₂ machines — the 10,600nm wavelength is absorbed by the acrylic, producing a clean, flame-polished edge on cast acrylic.
| Thickness | Speed (mm/s) | Min Power (%) | Max Power (%) | Air (MPa) | Open delay (ms) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3mm | 40–60 | 60–70 | 65–75 | 0.2–0.4 | 0 |
| 8mm | 10–15 | 60–70 | 65–75 | 0.2–0.4 | 0 |
| 12mm | 8–12 | 60–70 | 65–75 | 0.2–0.4 | 0 |
| 20mm | 3–5 | 60–70 | 65–75 | 0.2–0.4 | 0 |
| 30mm | 2 | 60–70 | 65–75 | 0.2–0.4 | 0 |
| 35mm | 1 | 60–70 | 65–75 | 0.2–0.4 | 0 |
The MCore's 80W CO₂ source is rated to cut up to 20mm acrylic in a single pass. The 30mm and 35mm entries require multiple passes or reduced speed; verify on your specific acrylic batch before production.
Open delay and Dot interval: what they control
These two parameters appear in the metal cutting table and affect whether your pierce is clean — which determines whether the rest of the cut follows correctly.
Open delay (ms)
Time the laser dwells at the pierce point before the cutting head begins to move. Ensures full penetration before the cut path starts. At 400ms — thin material (0.4–1.0mm). At 800ms — thicker material (1.5–2.0mm).
If cuts start with torn or incomplete pierces, increase Open delay by 100–200ms increments.
Dot interval (s)
Controls the spacing of pierce points. In most cutting applications, set to match Open delay. Leave at the reference value unless specifically optimizing a piercing pattern on a particular material.
Your first cut: a practical workflow
The fastest way to get reliable results on a new material or thickness is a structured test sequence rather than starting with production material.
Cut a 20×20mm test square on scrap
Use the middle of the speed range from the table — not the fastest value, not the slowest. This gives you room to adjust in either direction.
Assess the result against three criteria
- Penetration: Did the laser cut all the way through? If not, reduce speed or increase power.
- Cut edge finish: Excess slag/dross on the underside usually indicates speed too high or gas pressure too low.
- Pierce quality: If the lead-in is rough, increase Open delay.
Adjust one variable at a time
Change speed OR power OR gas pressure — not two at once. This makes it clear which change produced the improvement.
Run a second test at the adjusted values
A second test square confirms the change helped before you commit to production.
Record the parameters that worked
Write down the exact values and save them as a preset in Mlaser. The same material from a different batch may need slight adjustments, but your recorded values are always the right starting point.
FAQ
Can MCore cut metal with the built-in Air System only — no external gas?
Yes, for thin material. The All-in-One Air System (1.2MPa) is effective for cutting stainless steel and carbon steel up to approximately 1.0mm. Above 1.0mm, compressed air produces increasing slag and may not achieve full penetration at reference speeds. For 1.0mm and thicker, or for applications requiring clean, low-oxidation edges, external N₂ or O₂ is recommended. Start with speed 15–20% below the O₂ reference values when using air assist.
Why is my metal cut edge oxidized or discolored?
Oxidation on the cut edge is expected when cutting with compressed air or O₂. O₂ cutting produces a dark oxidized edge — the exothermic reaction leaves iron oxide on the surface. If oxidation is heavier than expected, check gas pressure at the cutting head. For a bright, oxide-free edge on stainless steel, switch to N₂ assist gas.
What is the maximum metal thickness MCore can cut?
According to official specifications, the MCore's 400W fiber laser is rated to cut up to 5mm metal. The parameters in this guide cover 0.4–2.0mm — the range validated in testing. For 2.0–5.0mm, the machine has the power rating, but parameters for that range should be developed through test cuts on your specific material and gas configuration. Use the 2.0mm values as a starting reference and reduce speed significantly.
Can the fiber laser cut acrylic on MCore?
The fiber laser (1064nm) passes through clear acrylic without sufficient absorption for a clean cut — this is a physics limitation of the wavelength, not a power issue. Use the CO₂ head (80W) for all acrylic cutting. The CO₂ laser's 10,600nm wavelength is strongly absorbed by acrylic, producing the clean flame-polished edge you want.
How do I switch between Fiber and CO₂ in Mlaser?
In Mlaser, each layer in your design file can be assigned to either the fiber or CO₂ laser source. For a mixed job (cutting a metal frame and an acrylic insert in the same project), set up two separate layers, assign the metal layer to Fiber and the acrylic layer to CO₂, and run the job in sequence. The software manages the head switching.
O₂ cutting operations carry elevated fire risk. Keep the work area clear of flammable material and maintain a fire extinguisher rated for metal fires within reach during O₂ cutting. Do not leave the machine unattended while cutting with oxygen. Follow all safety instructions in the GWEIKE MCore user manual.
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