How to cut > How to get high edge quality with laser cutting of steel

Key Considerations for High-Quality Laser Cutting of Steel

Material Considerations: Choosing the appropriate steel is essential. Thickness, alloy composition, and surface condition greatly affect the quality of the cut. Proper pre-treatment, including cleaning and surface preparation, ensuring the laser to interact with the steel as efficiently as possible, promoting clean cuts.

Laser Cutting Parameters: 

  • Power Settings: Adjust laser power to suit the steel's thickness, balancing efficiency and quality.
  • Speed Settings: Identify the best speed for clean edges, which will vary based on the material and the project's requirements.
  • Focus Point Adjustment: Fine-tune the laser's focus for better edge quality, essential for cutting pieces with intricate geometry.
  • Gas Pressure and Type: Select appropriate assist gases, such as oxygen, nitrogen, or air, to enhance cut quality and edge finish.

Regular maintenance and precise calibration of the laser cutter are mandatory for consistent, high-quality results, as well as preventing machine issues and maintaining accuracy.

During the Design Phase, clean, vector-based design files are crucial. Efficient part nesting reduces waste and improves cutting efficiency while avoiding complex patterns that can affect cut quality.

Troubleshooting Common Issues:

  • Dross Formation: Managing the laser cutting parameters effectively is key to preventing excessive dross buildup, i.e. to minimize or eliminate residue on cut edges.
  • Heat-Affected Zones (HAZ): Apply techniques to limit steel property alterations around cut edges.
  • Burrs and Rough Edges: Follow best practices for achieving smooth finishes to maintain geometrical accuracy and appearance of the cut piece.

Finally, always prioritize safety by using appropriate protective equipment, following safety protocols, and managing emissions and waste sustainably.

Contact Technical support


The information in this report is only applicable to SSAB’s products and should not be applied to any other products than original SSAB products. 


This report provides general results and recommendations for SSAB steel products. This report is subject to SSAB’s Terms of Use. It shall be the user's responsibility to verify that the information contained herein is correct and is suitable to be used for the particular purpose and application of the user. The report is intended to be used by professional users only who possess adequate expertise, qualification and knowledge for the safe and correct use of the results and recommendations in this report. This report is provided “as is”. The use of the report is at user’s own discretion and risk and that users will be solely responsible for any use of this report. SSAB disclaims any liability for the content or potential errors of this report, including but not limited to warranties and condition of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or suitability for individual applications. SSAB shall not be liable for any kind of direct or indirect damages and/or costs related to or arising therefrom, whether special, incidental, consequential or directly or indirectly related to the use of, or the inability to use, the report or the content, information or results included therein.