Executive summary
Summary: speed is limited by airflow direction and focus stability, not watts alone. Fix the gas path → double throughput with the same power.
Material Behavior: Leather vs Fabric (What Really Matters)
Leather (2 mm typical)
- Contains oils and binders → tends to brown if heat stays in kerf.
- Small, fast side-blow reduces dwell and “smoke glaze”.
- 50 mm lens (small spot) helps keep speed high at low heat load.
Fabric (single layer or stacked)
- Lightweight and porous → can flutter or lift into the beam.
- Bottom extraction + honeycomb “breathing” stabilizes web.
- 63.5 mm lens gives a bit more focal depth → less “soft focus.”
Speed Windows (60–100W)
Use these as start points. Tune ±5–10% for tannage, weave and color.
| Material | Thickness | Power | High Speed | Best Speed | Lens | Airflow Baseline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leather | ~2 mm | 60 W | 40 mm/s | 35 mm/s | 50 mm | Side-blow ~0.15–0.20 MPa; low bottom draw |
| Leather | ~2 mm | 100 W | 65 mm/s | 60 mm/s | 50 mm | Side-blow ~0.20–0.25 MPa; minimal top-blow |
| Fabric (single) | 1 layer | 60 W | 60 mm/s | 58 mm/s | 63.5 mm | Bottom suction + gentle top assist |
| Fabric (single) | 1 layer | 100 W | 200 mm/s | 150 mm/s | 63.5 mm | Strong bottom suction; side-blow if fibers fuzzy |
Values reflect practical results on GWEIKE M-Series. For stacked plies or coated fabrics, derate by 10–25%.
Airflow Engineering (Where Throughput Is Won)
Leather — keep velocity high, not volume high
- Nozzle: 1.5–2.0 mm aperture → higher jet velocity to sweep the kerf.
- Angle: 15–25° downward aiming into the beam; avoid skimming the surface.
- Bottom: light extraction only (too much ↓ cools too fast → brittle edges).
Fabric — stabilize the sheet; clear the vapor fast
- Bottom suction through honeycomb to hold web flat and pull plume down.
- Side-blow optional for hairy/bushy fabrics to prevent soot redeposit.
- Top assist gentle; high top-blow lifts the web and hurts focus.
Velocity beats raw flow: small aperture + correct direction outperforms big, slow air.
Lens & Focus Setup
50 mm lens (leather)
- Small spot → high energy density → shorter dwell → less browning.
- Focus at surface to −0.3 mm (thin skins) or −0.5 mm (dense leather).
63.5 mm lens (fabric)
- Slightly longer Rayleigh range → less “soft focus” when web lifts.
- Focus at surface; for airy meshes, try −0.2 mm.
Don't know how to choose the right lens? Click here to learn more.
Production SOP (Zero-Guess)
- Fixture: use honeycomb; if fabric curls, add perimeter pins or light vacuum frame.
- Optics: clean lens/mirror; check nozzle concentricity (tape test).
- Lens: leather → 50 mm; fabric → 63.5 mm.
- Focus: set as above; verify with acrylic test strip or ramp.
- Air: leather → side-blow, small nozzle; fabric → bottom suction + gentle top assist.
- Speed: start at “Best” from the table; increase until defects appear, then back off 5–10%.
- Quality gate: inspect 5 pcs for color, fuzz, edge hardness; log power/speed/air/focus.
If scaling to multiple heads/shifts: standardize on “Best − 5%” to absorb fabric/leather variance.
Troubleshooting (Fast Fix Matrix)
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Brown edge (leather) | Dwell too long; air not in kerf | Smaller nozzle (↑velocity); raise speed 5–10%; adjust angle 15–25° |
| Hazy/sooty edge (fabric) | Plume trapped; top-blow lifts web | Increase bottom suction; reduce top-blow; add side-blow sweep |
| Edge crispy/hard (leather) | Over-cooling from bottom; focus too deep | Reduce bottom draw; move focus toward surface by 0.2–0.3 mm |
| Uncut fibers / bridges | Speed too high or defocus | Lower speed 5%; re-focus; verify optics clean |
| Melty holes on thin fabric | Too much top-blow; slow cornering | Reduce top-blow; enable corner speed cap; smaller nozzle |
| Inconsistent edge lot-to-lot | Material oil/moisture variation | Adopt “Best − 5%” guardband; pre-bake humid fabrics at low heat |
Throughput & ROI Math (Why Process Beats Watts)
Quick back-of-line capacity estimate for 100 W @ 150 mm/s fabric cutting:
- Effective path length per part: ~0.8 m
- Cycle time per part: 0.8 m / 0.15 m/s ≈ 5.3 s
- Per-head output: ~680 parts/hour (no dwell), ~450–550 realistic with moves & QC
Improving airflow (bottom suction + side sweep) typically allows +10–40% speed without quality loss. The cheapest upgrade is often a smaller, well-aimed nozzle and correct through-flow, not a bigger laser tube.
Pattern Nesting & Edge Quality Tips
- Outside-in cutting order to reduce plume interference on neighboring parts.
- Lead-in tabs on leather corners (0.5–1.0 mm) to eliminate start burns.
- Corner speed limit (e.g., 60–70% of straight speed) for clean geometry on fabrics.
- Fuzz control: add micro side-blow pass on edges of plush/knit materials.
Safety Notes
- Never cut PVC/vinyl-coated textiles — use acrylic/PU substitutes. See: Do Not Cut PVC.
- Leather fumes can be pungent — ensure filtration and fresh-air makeup.
- Keep optics clean; residue accelerates browning on leather.
What to Buy/Upgrade (Checklist)
- 50 mm lens for leather; 63.5 mm lens for fabrics.
- Side-blow kit with 1.5–2.0 mm nozzle (adjustable 15–25°).
- Honeycomb with regulated bottom suction (bypass for leather).
- Corner speed control in the controller (or CAM with corner smoothing).
FAQ: Fabric & Leather Mass-Production
What lens should I use?
Leather → 50 mm for a tighter spot. Fabrics → 63.5 mm for depth and sheet stability.
Why do my leather edges brown?
Too much dwell or air not entering the kerf. Use a smaller side-nozzle at 15–25° and increase speed slightly.
My fabric curls into the beam — how do I stop it?
Increase bottom suction; reduce top-blow; use perimeter pins or a light vacuum frame.
Can I stack multiple fabric plies?
Yes, but derate speed by ~10–25% depending on color, finish and porosity. Verify edge quality per ply.
Which is more important: more power or better airflow?
Airflow and direction. With the same tube power, correct through-flow often yields 10–40% faster, cleaner cuts.
Any caution on materials?
Do not cut PVC/vinyl-coated textiles. Use PU-coated or acrylic substitutes.
Need a Stable Process Window for Leather or Fabric?
Our application engineers can help you lock in a repeatable speed/power/airflow/focus window for your exact material (tannage, coatings, weave, and color). Request a tailored parameter sheet or a quick material test.
