Materials depend on laser type
Rule of thumb (industrial):
- Metals (carbon steel, stainless, aluminum, galvanized, brass/copper) → typically best on fiber laser cutting.
- Most non-metals (acrylic/PMMA, wood, MDF, leather, fabrics, paperboard) → typically best on CO₂ laser cutting.
- Glass → a special case; production cutting is usually handled by dedicated glass laser solutions (often ultrafast platforms).
For a deeper “why,” see our comparison on fiber vs CO₂ laser cutting for industrial work and the overview in laser cutting machine selection.
What most shops actually need
In industrial production, “can cut” is not the same as “can cut profitably.” A material is truly cuttable when you can hit edge spec, repeatable cycle time, and safe fume control with predictable consumables and maintenance.What materials can a small laser cutting machine cut→
Materials matrix (industrial-practical)
Use this matrix to decide “what cuts cleanly in production” and what typically needs a different process or a dedicated platform.
| Material group | Typical materials | Best-fit laser type | Industrial notes (what matters on the shop floor) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metals | Carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, galvanized, brass/copper, alloys | Fiber | Assist gas & edge spec drive cost/finish. Reflective alloys demand stable parameters and reliable optics protection. |
| Non-metals | Acrylic (PMMA), wood, MDF, leather, fabrics, paperboard | CO₂ | Exhaust + air assist are mandatory. Edge defects usually come from airflow, focus, and speed balance. |
| Glass (special case) | Cover glass, display glass, tempered/untreated glass, optical glass shapes & notches | Dedicated glass laser solutions | Glass uses different mechanisms than metal cutting. For high yield and low defects, use dedicated glass platforms. |
Fast selection: metal-heavy shops
If your workload is mostly metal, start here: fiber laser cutting machines and the practical guide on fiber laser cutting thickness.
Fast selection: non-metal production
If your workload is mostly acrylic/wood/leather, start here: industrial CO₂ laser cutters and the process example on laser cutting acrylic (PMMA).
Industrial quick filter: 3 questions that eliminate wrong platforms
What “cuttable” means in production
Online “materials lists” are often misleading. In real factories, the useful question is: Which materials can be cut to spec, at repeatable speed, with controlled fumes and predictable operating cost?
A practical definition
- Quality: burr/dross/oxidation (metals) or haze/char/meltback (non-metals) are within acceptance limits.
- Throughput: piercing + cutting stays stable across shifts and operators.
- Safety: fumes are captured/filtered; no corrosive or toxic byproducts.
- Cost control: gas usage, consumables, and maintenance are predictable for your dominant job mix.
How to use this guide
Start with the material group (metal / non-metal / glass), then use the production notes to understand what drives quality and cost. If you need a platform recommendation, jump to Choose the right machine.
Metal materials you can laser cut
Industrial metal laser cutting stays stable only when heating, melting, and melt removal remain balanced. If you want a quick refresher, see how laser cutting works.
Carbon steel / mild steel
- Best for: brackets, frames, enclosures, base plates, general fabrication.
- Common shop decision: oxygen vs nitrogen depends on edge appearance, downstream welding/painting, and gas budget.
- Start here: industrial laser cutting overview and thickness guide.
Production note (carbon steel)
If your downstream process is welding or painting, define whether you need a “weld-ready / paint-ready” edge. That single requirement often dictates gas choice and acceptable oxidation.
Stainless steel
- Best for: visible parts, food equipment, cabinets, covers, welded assemblies (edge quality matters).
- Watch-outs: edge oxidation vs clean edges, micro-burr control, heat tint control on thin sheet.
Stainless edge quality checklist
Aluminum & aluminum alloys
- Best for: lightweight structural parts, panels, automotive components.
- Watch-outs: reflectivity, thermal conductivity, and parameter stability—especially on thinner sheet.
Galvanized steel
- Best for: HVAC, enclosures, brackets, coated sheet applications.
- Watch-outs: zinc coating changes cutting behavior and fumes—ventilation and stable settings matter.
- Deep dive: how to cut galvanized sheet metal.
Brass / copper and other reflective alloys
- Best for: electrical parts, thermal parts, decorative metal components (depending on spec).
- Watch-outs: reflection risk, optics protection, and stable pierce strategy are critical.
Practical tip for job shops
Size your system to your daily thickness range and required edge spec—not the “maximum thickness” headline. Start from the realistic baselines in fiber thickness guidance.
Non-metal materials you can laser cut
In non-metal cutting, consistent airflow and exhaust are not optional—most “mystery defects” are airflow/focus/speed problems. Acrylic is a classic example: it can produce visually clean edges when the workflow is engineered correctly (see laser cutting acrylic/PMMA).
Acrylic (PMMA)
- Best for: signage, display parts, lighting components, branded fixtures.
- Edge goal: clean geometry with minimal frosting/yellowing; stable focus and proper air assist help.
- Deep dive: how to laser cut acrylic (PMMA).
Wood & MDF
- Best for: packaging inserts, templates, fixtures, furniture parts, decorative panels.
- Watch-outs: charring, smoke staining, resin pockets—managed with airflow and speed strategy.
- Deep dive: how to laser cut wood.
Leather & fabrics
- Best for: garment components, automotive interior parts, label/patch work, batch cutting.
- Watch-outs: odor control and fume extraction; test small grids for repeatable quality.
Paperboard & packaging materials
- Best for: packaging prototypes, inserts, label/shape cutting, low-cost jigs.
- Watch-outs: fire risk; keep exhaust strong, never leave runs unattended.
Where to start (CO₂ systems)
If your production is primarily non-metal, start with our industrial CO₂ cutter lineup. For metal-heavy work, use fiber laser cutting machines.
Glass is a special case
Glass cutting is not “metal cutting with different settings.” For production yield, edge strength, and low defects, modern factories typically use dedicated glass laser platforms. See our glass laser cutting machine guide.
High-precision glass cutting
For cover glass, display glass, and complex contours, explore the ultrafast laser glass cutting machine platform.
Drilling / holes / notches
If you need holes or irregular geometries, see high-precision glass drilling.
Material verification checklist
Before cutting unfamiliar sheets, verify what they are. “Unknown plastic” can be a safety/corrosion risk, and “unknown coating” can be a fume/residue risk.
Fast verification steps (operator-friendly)
- Ask for documentation: supplier confirmation, SDS/MSDS, RoHS/REACH declarations.
- Confirm polymer family (plastics): especially films, foams, and laminated sheets.
- Check coatings/adhesives: laminated sheets can behave like a different material in the beam.
- Run a controlled coupon test: strong exhaust, monitor smoke/odor/residue; inspect optics after.
- Standardize result: record “supplier + thickness + film on/off + table type + notes” in your preset library.
Repeatability tip
Many “settings problems” are actually batch changes (density, additives, coating thickness) or airflow/optics drift. Verification + logging makes root cause obvious.
Safety: materials you should NOT laser cut
Never laser cut PVC/vinyl (or other chlorinated plastics).
Cutting PVC can release corrosive and hazardous byproducts and can damage equipment. If you cannot positively identify a plastic, treat it as unsafe until verified. See: Do Not Cut PVC (industrial alternatives).
- Unknown plastics: verify material ID (supplier/SDS/RoHS) before processing.
- Fire risk materials: paper/foam composites and dusty organics require strict supervision and strong extraction.
- Coated materials: coatings and adhesives can dominate fume chemistry—validate in a controlled test.
Shop-floor safety essentials
- Fume capture first: start exhaust before cutting; verify flow (not just fan power).
- Fire discipline: never leave combustible materials unattended; keep suppression tools ready.
- Residue control: some materials leave sticky deposits—schedule optics inspections and cleaning.
- Training: standardize “approved materials” and enforce the do-not-cut list.
Design rules: kerf, corners, small features
Many “quality problems” start in the CAD file. If geometry forces heat to stack up or forces unstable motion, parameter tweaks cannot fully eliminate burr, dross, haze, or micro-cracks. Use these rules to keep your process window stable.
Kerf & dimensional accuracy (measure, then compensate)
- Measure kerf per thickness and per material family (steel vs stainless vs aluminum; cast vs extruded acrylic).
- Compensate in CAD/CAM after you have repeatable results—avoid manual “operator scaling.”
- Inspect bottom edges: bottom-edge degradation is usually the first sign the process window is drifting.
Quick kerf test (fast and practical)
Cut a small coupon with a slot gauge + hole gauge. Record which sizes fit a known pin/part. Save as “Supplier + Thickness + Gas/Film + Table”.
Corners & micro-features (where heat stacks up)
- Sharp internal corners concentrate heat. Use fillets where design allows to reduce local overheating.
- Very small holes can overheat: cut inner features first, avoid excessive dwell, and place lead-ins away from cosmetic edges.
- Reduce stop-and-go motion: frequent decel/accel increases local heat input and visible marks.
- Nesting spacing matters: tight nesting can trap vapor (non-metals) or increase heat accumulation (metals).
Micro-joints / tabs (prevent part tip-up and double cutting)
Small parts that shift during cutting create burr, edge burns, and scrapped sheets. Micro-joints (metals) or tabs (non-metals) often save more time than re-running the job.
- Cut inner features first, outer contours last.
- Add micro-joints/tabs for small parts; break and deburr after.
- Use lead-ins/lead-outs (if supported) to reduce visible start marks.
Workholding & table strategy
Workholding is one of the highest-ROI levers for stability. Many bottom-edge defects and part movement problems are not “power issues”— they are table contact, airflow under the sheet, and part release timing issues.
For metal sheets
- Support strategy: worn or uneven slats can increase vibration and tip-up risk for small parts.
- Part tip-up control: micro-joints, smart cut order, and avoiding early release of thin features reduces collisions.
- Sheet flatness: warped sheets cause focus variation and inconsistent edge quality.
For non-metals (CO₂)
- Honeycomb vs knife table: honeycomb supports thin sheets but can trap vapor; knife tables reduce contact and often improve backside appearance.
- Standoffs for premium bottoms: lifting the sheet slightly improves extraction under the workpiece and reduces haze.
- Film strategy: film ON protects top surface; film OFF reduces edge contamination risk—standardize this per material.
Operator checklist (fast)
If quality suddenly drops, check (1) table condition, (2) exhaust flow under the sheet, (3) part release timing (tabs/micro-joints), then settings.
Post-processing & QA
Industrial customers buy results. Your post-processing standard should match your edge spec: functional, paint-ready, weld-ready, or cosmetic.
Metal post-processing
| Target | Typical approach | What to inspect | Common root cause if it fails |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functional edge | Light deburr | Sharp burrs, dross beads | Unstable melt removal / worn consumables |
| Paint-ready edge | Deburr + surface prep | Oxide level, residue | Gas strategy mismatch / contamination |
| Weld-ready edge | Deburr + fit-up control | Edge oxidation, taper, gap | Wrong edge spec definition / poor nesting |
| Cosmetic edge | Higher QA + consistent cut window | Striations, start marks | Stop-and-go motion / pierce marks |
Non-metal post-processing
- Cleaning: remove smoke residue early; it bakes on over time.
- Surface protection: standardize film strategy to prevent micro-staining.
- Edge appearance: haze/char is usually airflow + speed balance, not only power.
QA tip
Define acceptance criteria with photos: “OK/NG” examples for burr, dross, haze, start marks, and discoloration. It reduces subjective disputes across shifts.
Production SOP
Repeatability is where industrial cutting wins. A simple SOP prevents most “mystery swings” caused by airflow drift, optics contamination, or material batch changes.
5-minute pre-shift checklist
- Exhaust verified: confirm airflow is stable before the first cut.
- Assist system ready: gas/air assist stable and centered (as applicable).
- Optics clean: inspect/clean optics on a schedule, and whenever quality drifts.
- Focus routine standardized: same method, same reference; re-check after table changes.
- Material verified: supplier + thickness + coating/film strategy matches the preset.
What to log (so troubleshooting is fast)
- Supplier / grade / thickness / coating or film on-off / table type
- Key process factors (gas/airflow strategy, number of passes if used)
- Edge result (burr/dross/oxidation or haze/char) + bottom result
- Maintenance notes (optics cleaned, filters changed, duct inspected)
Why this works
Most “settings problems” are actually changes in airflow, optics contamination, or material batches. Logging makes the root cause obvious.
How to choose the right system for your material mix
Use your dominant material and dominant part shape to choose the platform first, then tune power and automation. Start at laser cutting machine selection.
Mostly sheet metal
Go fiber first: fiber laser cutting machines. Then validate power vs your daily thickness range using the thickness guide.
Sheet + tube / mixed job shop
Reduce changeovers with a sheet-and-tube platform such as LF3015CR or LF3015GCR.
Welding prep / bevel edges
If your workflow needs bevels for stronger joints and better weld prep, read what a bevel cut is and consider a bevel-capable cutting solution.
Mostly acrylic/wood/leather (non-metal production)
Start with industrial CO₂: CO₂ laser cutters. For process tuning, see acrylic (PMMA) and wood cutting.
Want a confirmed “cut list” for your exact materials?
Share your material grade, thickness range, and edge-quality requirement. We’ll recommend the right platform and a practical configuration path.
FAQ (industrial)
What materials can an industrial laser cutter cut?
It depends on laser type. Fiber systems are typically used for metals (carbon steel, stainless, aluminum, galvanized, brass/copper). CO₂ systems are typically used for most non-metals (acrylic/PMMA, wood, MDF, leather, fabrics, paperboard). Glass is usually processed on dedicated glass laser platforms.
Can a laser cutter cut metal?
Yes—industrial metal cutting is typically done with fiber laser cutting systems. Select power for your daily thickness range and required edge spec.
Can you laser cut acrylic and wood?
Yes—industrial CO₂ systems are commonly used for acrylic/PMMA and wood/MDF. Edge quality depends heavily on exhaust, air assist, focus stability, and speed strategy.
What materials should you never laser cut?
Never laser cut PVC/vinyl or other chlorinated plastics. If you cannot positively identify a plastic, treat it as unsafe until verified.
Does assist gas matter when cutting metals?
Yes. Assist gas affects melt removal, edge finish, oxidation level, and cost. In many shops, gas strategy (and edge spec) becomes a major operating cost driver.
Why do small parts tip up or shift during cutting?
Usually because the outer contour releases too early, support is uneven, or cut order creates early part separation. Use micro-joints/tabs, cut inner features first, and keep small parts supported.
Why is the bottom edge worse than the top edge?
Bottom-edge defects often come from poor melt removal (metals) or smoke recirculation under the sheet (non-metals). Check table condition, airflow under the sheet, and release timing before changing core settings.
How do I reduce visible “start marks” on edges?
Use lead-ins/lead-outs where supported, place start points on non-cosmetic edges, and reduce stop-and-go motion on tight corners.
Can I cut coated or laminated sheets?
Sometimes, but coatings/adhesives can dominate fumes and residue. Verify chemistry with supplier docs and run a controlled test coupon with strong exhaust before production.
How do I keep results consistent across shifts?
Use a simple SOP: verify exhaust/assist, standardize focus routine, log material supplier/thickness/coatings, and keep optics inspection on schedule.
