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In this guide
Stainless steel is a frequent next step for shops that have already brought carbon steel cutting in-house — it's the material of choice for tumblers, nameplates, signage, and architectural hardware where a clean, non-rusting finish matters. This guide gives you the official GWEIKE factory-tested cutting parameters for stainless steel on the Gweike MCore, covering 1mm to 3mm with compressed air assist.
Don't have an MCore yet? View the MCore product page → for specs, pricing, and current availability.
Quick Answer
| Thickness | Assist Gas | Speed | Power | Can it be cut? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1mm | Air | 75 mm/s | 100% | ✅ |
| 2mm | Air | 36 mm/s | 100% | ✅ |
| 3mm | Air | 2 mm/s | 100% | ✅ (slow — see note below) |
Bottom line: The MCore's official stainless steel data covers 1–3mm using compressed air assist. There is no published parameter set for nitrogen-assisted stainless steel cutting at this time — see the note below before you plan thicker or higher-finish work.
1 Why This Guide Stops at 3mm
Unlike the MCore's carbon steel data — which GWEIKE publishes for both compressed air and oxygen assist, up to 5mm — the official stainless steel parameter table only covers compressed air, 1–3mm. There's no published nitrogen-assist parameter set (speed, power, pressure, etc.) for stainless steel at this time.
This matters because nitrogen is the assist gas most commonly associated with high-quality stainless steel cutting in the broader laser cutting industry — it prevents oxidation at the cut edge, producing a cleaner, non-discolored finish compared to air or oxygen. GWEIKE's own MCore product page acknowledges this directly, noting that nitrogen is the gas for "a clean finish on stainless steel," while air is positioned as a simplified, lower-cost alternative with acceptable — but not equivalent — edge quality.
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2 Air Assist Parameters (1–3mm)
| Thickness (mm) | Speed (mm/s) | Frequency | Focus | Nozzle | Nozzle Height (mm) | Gas | Pressure (bar) | Duty Cycle | Power (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 75 | 5000 | -1 | 2.0 single | 0.4 | Air | 8–12 | 100 | 100 |
| 2 | 36 | 5000 | 1 | 2.0 single | 0.4 | Air | 8–12 | 100 | 100 |
| 3 | 2 | 2000 | -3 | 2.0 single | 0.4 | Air | 8–12 | 100 | 100 |
Notice the speed drop at 3mm — 2 mm/s is significantly slower than the 36 mm/s used at 2mm. This is consistent with air assist becoming less efficient as stainless steel thickness increases, which is the same pattern seen in the MCore's carbon steel data. If 3mm stainless is a regular part of your workload, this is the clearest signal in the data that nitrogen assist would likely improve both speed and edge quality — though we can't publish exact figures for that setup yet (see note above).
How to Read These Parameters
If some of these column names aren't immediately obvious, here's a quick reference:
Setup Checklist
1. Confirm thickness is within range
These parameters cover 1–3mm only. For thicker stainless steel, contact support before attempting to extrapolate settings — pushing air assist beyond its tested range is unreliable.
2. Decide if air-assist edge quality is acceptable
Air assist on stainless steel typically leaves a slightly oxidized (often light gold or blue-tinted) edge. If your application requires a bright, non-discolored finish, plan for nitrogen assist and check with support for setup guidance.
3. Match nozzle and nozzle height
All three thicknesses use a 2.0 single-layer nozzle at 0.4mm height. Confirm this matches your physical setup before cutting.
4. Verify pressure at the cutting head
GWEIKE's official note specifies that pressure values refer to pressure monitored at the cutting head — not at your regulator or tank gauge, which may read differently.
5. Run a test cut on scrap, especially at 3mm
3mm uses a notably slower speed (2 mm/s) than 1–2mm — small deviations in focus or pressure will have a larger relative impact at this setting. Test before committing to a job.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Cut isn't fully penetrating
Generally speed is too high relative to power for the thickness, or focus isn't matched to the table value. Stainless steel's reflectivity can also reduce energy coupling at the surface compared to carbon steel — double-check focus first.
Discolored or oxidized edge
This is an expected characteristic of air-assisted stainless steel cutting, not necessarily a fault in your settings. A bright, oxidation-free edge generally requires nitrogen assist rather than a parameter adjustment.
Excessive dross at 3mm
3mm is at the edge of what air assist reliably handles on stainless steel. If dross persists after confirming pressure and nozzle height, this may be a sign you've reached the practical limit of the air-assist setup for this thickness.
Inconsistent results on "same" settings
Usually isn't the parameters — it's nozzle wear, ambient temperature, or cooling performance drifting over time. Re-test on scrap periodically rather than assuming a saved preset will always behave identically.
Safety Notes
- Never operate without proper laser safety eyewear and an enclosed/interlocked work area. The MCore's enclosed chassis is part of its safety design — don't bypass safety interlocks to "see the cut better."
- Stainless steel cutting produces metal fume and fine particulate — ensure fume extraction is running and the room is adequately ventilated.
- Reflective metal surfaces increase the importance of proper beam containment — never operate with enclosure panels removed or bypassed.
- These parameters assume properly maintained equipment. Nozzle wear, contaminated lenses, or misaligned optics will affect results even when the numbers above are entered correctly.
FAQ
Can the MCore cut stainless steel thicker than 3mm?
GWEIKE's published parameter data covers up to 3mm with compressed air assist. Cutting thicker stainless steel is likely to require nitrogen assist and different settings — contact our technical support team for guidance specific to your application before attempting thicker material.
Does the MCore support nitrogen-assisted stainless steel cutting?
The MCore's hardware supports nitrogen as an assist gas, and GWEIKE's product page notes nitrogen produces a cleaner finish on stainless steel. However, we don't currently have a published factory parameter table (speed, power, pressure) for nitrogen-assisted stainless steel cutting. Contact sales or support for current guidance on nitrogen setup.
Why is the edge slightly discolored after air-assisted cutting?
This is a normal characteristic of cutting stainless steel with compressed air rather than nitrogen — the air's oxygen content causes slight oxidation at the cut edge. It's a cosmetic, not a structural, effect. If a bright finish is required, nitrogen assist is the typical solution.
Why is the 3mm cutting speed so much slower than 2mm?
This reflects air assist becoming less efficient as stainless steel thickness increases — the same pattern seen in the MCore's carbon steel data, where thicker material also requires a disproportionate drop in speed under air assist.
Ready to bring stainless steel cutting in-house — or need guidance on nitrogen setup for thicker material? View current specifications on the product page, or talk to our team directly.
View the MCore product page →
