Power / Frequency vs Speed Curve

The dependency curve

The CypCut program performs laser cutting of materials, and the relationship between power and speed plays an important role in the process. A curve that displays this dependency lets you determine optimal power and speed values to achieve the best cutting results.

In CypCut, the power-vs-speed dependency is typically shown as a curve. The X-axis represents cutting speed in m/min or mm/s, and the Y-axis represents laser power in watts or as a percentage of the laser's maximum power.

The shape of the curve depends on the material type, thickness, required cut quality, and CypCut settings. As speed increases in problem zones, the laser power must be reduced. This is because at higher speeds the beam moves faster, which requires lower power to achieve an accurate, high-quality cut.

Optimal power and speed values depend on the specific conditions and requirements. Run test cuts with different power/speed combinations to find the right parameters for your material and task.

CypCut allows the user to configure the power-vs-speed curve, so you can experiment with values and find the optimal settings for a given material.

How to use the feature

1. Open CypCut and go to the Layer tab.
2. Select the layer for which you want to configure the speed-vs-power curve.
3. Set the parameters on the Layer tab, including the cutting type and related parameters such as cutting speed.
4. Click the Graph or Power Curve button. In some versions of the program the button may have a different name or location, but the idea is the same.
5. A window opens with the speed-vs-power curve. It shows different cutting speeds depending on the laser power level.
6. Drag the curve on the chart to adjust cutting speed for different power levels. Lower power is typically used for slower speeds, higher power for faster speeds.
7. Review the curve and find power/speed combinations that best match your requirements and the material being cut.

Once the curve is configured, you can apply these parameters to your cutting layers to achieve optimal results.

Power–frequency–speed dynamics

The dynamics can be tuned along two relationships:

• Power vs speed.
• Frequency vs speed.

Values on the curve can be changed in percentage or absolute (numeric) terms.

• For control and adjustments along the perimeter of a part, use absolute values: in CypCut during cutting you can observe how the actual speed changes across different segments.
• For corner handling, percentage values are more convenient — you reference the percentage of the job completed.

Choose the curve-building method that suits you: straight line, segments, or smooth curve. You can also add points that define speed vs power and speed vs frequency relationships.

These points are used to make precise changes at the right moment during cutting. Use the percentage of the overall nest completed and the speed changes in specific segments as references. During cutting these values are shown at the top of the CypCut interface.

Tuning methodology

1. Perform a dry run and observe: first watch the beam path on screen, then watch how the percentage and speed change in the top panel during cutting. Note at which percentage and on which segments problems appear.
2. First cut the part and note where the problem appears. Then run a dry cut, remembering at what percentage the issue occurs, and modify the curve according to the defect.
3. Depending on the defect, raise or lower the power dependency on the curve. If there is heavy overheating, also adjust frequency vs speed on the relevant segments, using cutting-speed data or completion-percentage data.

This is one logical way to build the curve. Generally, the power-vs-speed dependency is built from data obtained through experiments or calculations.

Why this curve matters

In CypCut, the power-vs-speed curve is used to optimize cutting modes and to save corners and material edges. It lets you set the appropriate power for each laser-beam speed.

• Excessive power at high speed can damage corners and edges — the laser overheats and melts the metal too much.
• Insufficient power at low speed leads to poor cut quality or a weakened edge.

Tips for preserving corners

1. Use smooth curves. To preserve corners on the curve, prefer smooth transitions over sharp ones. Smooth curves help avoid abrupt jumps in laser power and speed that affect cut quality.
2. Set enough points. The more points you place on the power-vs-speed curve, the more precisely you can control corners. Use several points per segment to achieve smooth transitions.

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