Laser Cutter Machines and Industrial Laser Cutters

A comparison of the different laser sources

Laser cutters differ primarily in the laser sources they use. Each laser type has its own advantages and disadvantages and is suitable for processing different materials. Trotec laser cutters use a CO₂ laser source for cutting. This is a laser source that is mainly suitable for processing non-metallic materials as well as most plastics.

Other laser types: Fiber lasers are best suited to metal marking by tarnishing, as well as to metal engraving and high-contrast plastic marking. Nd:YAG and Nd:YVO (crystal lasers) are also suitable for marking metals and plastics. Unlike fiber lasers, YAG or vanadate lasers use relatively expensive pump diodes as wear material.

High power facilitates enormous flexibility

It’s always the individual application that dictates which laser power is recommended. But as a rule of thumb, more power enables faster cutting, provided the material (thickness) allows this. For laser cutting and high-speed applications, we generally recommend a laser power of more than 80 watts. 

The maximum laser power affects both the quality of your products and the working time. While you can regulate the laser power via the software, the maximum power output depends on the hardware. Thin polyester fabric, for example, can be cut economically with a less powerful laser cutter (e.g. 60 watts), but you’ll need a more powerful machine (e.g. 400 watts) for 25 mm thick acrylic. Therefore, the following applies: A high-powered laser machine offers great flexibility since you can use it to process many different materials.  

What material thickness can be laser cut?

A laser cutter can be used to cut a wide range of materials. There are four factors that determine the maximum cutting thickness: first, laser power; second, throughput; third, quality requirements and fourth, material type. Material thickness and recommended laser power for CO₂ laser cutting: