Which metals can be cut with a laser?
Fiber laser cuts iron, steel, stainless steel, aluminum and even reflective metals such as copper and brass.
Metal laser cutting systems help increase efficiency, reduce production time and costs, and improve machining quality. Laser technology has changed sheet and tube cutting, for speed and versatility. Working with no mechanical contact, the laser also improves workplace safety and reduces scrap thanks to very precise machining.
What can you cut with a laser?
Laser machines work a wide range of materials: from metal to wood, from plastic to fabric. In metal laser cutting the applications are many, from the sheet metal industry to automotive and home-appliance manufacturing. Compared to CO2 laser, fiber laser has widened the list of workable metals, including the more delicate ones.
Which metals can fiber laser cut?
In an optical-fiber beam the cutting power concentrates in a very small diameter, comparable to a hair. Compared to gas sources like CO2, fiber laser has a ten-times-shorter wavelength (about 1 µm), which is absorbed better by the material. That is why fiber laser also cuts reflective metals such as copper and brass, not suited to CO2. Metals workable with fiber laser include:
- Iron
- Steel
- Galvanized steel
- Stainless steel
- Aluminum
- Brass
- Copper
- Titanium
Why use laser cutting for metals?
Laser systems for cutting metals deliver high performance in speed and power, and fiber laser is clearly more efficient than CO2. In sectors driven by customization and tight deadlines, a metal laser cutting machine makes the difference. Among the advantages for a company:
- Shorter production times
- Lower energy consumption
- Lower storage costs
- High cut quality
- High levels of customization
Add to that the benefit of working without constantly changing the tool and with no mechanical contact with the material. This increases operator safety and reduces the risk of damaging the part, for a more efficient and safer workplace and less waste.
Why choose Cutlite Penta for metal laser cutting?
Cutlite Penta is the El.En group company dedicated to laser cutting of sheets and tubes. Cutlite Penta systems are designed and built in-house, with dedicated software and full control of the production cycle: this lets us meet customer requests with custom configurations and dedicated support. Cutlite Penta is also among the first companies in Italy and Europe to develop a cutting head able to support power up to 30 kW. With a Cutlite Penta system you get:
- High cut quality
- Linear-motor motion
- Power up to 30 kW
- Cutting on thicknesses up to 50 mm
- Solutions for large parts too
- Custom configurations
- Dedicated support
Frequently asked questions
Which metals can fiber laser cut?
Iron, steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper and titanium.
Can a laser cut copper and brass?
Yes: fiber laser, with a shorter wavelength, is absorbed better by the material and also cuts reflective metals such as copper and brass, not suited to CO2 laser.
What thicknesses can fiber laser cut?
With the right power it cuts sheets up to 50 mm thick.
Fiber or CO2 laser for metals?
Fiber laser offers higher performance and efficiency than CO2 and can also cut reflective metals like copper and brass.
Discover Cutlite Penta machines for cutting metal
Systems for fiber laser cutting of sheets and tubes, also custom-built. Tell us which metal you need to cut and we'll find the right solution for you.
