Question 1

What is CO2 laser cutting?

Accepted Answer

CO2 laser cutting uses a gas laser to cut and engrave non-metal materials. It gives a clean, often flame-polished edge on acrylic and precise cuts in wood, MDF, paper, fabric, and leather, and it can engrave artwork and text in the same setup.

Question 2

What materials can a CO2 laser cut?

Accepted Answer

Acrylic, wood, MDF, plywood, paper, cardboard, fabric, felt, leather, foam, rubber, and many plastics such as acetal and polycarbonate (some plastics need care). It does not cut metal well; for metal use a fiber laser. Avoid PVC and vinyl, which release corrosive, toxic fumes.

Question 3

Fiber laser vs CO2: what is the difference?

Accepted Answer

Fiber lasers cut metal, including reflective alloys, at high speed. CO2 lasers are the right tool for non-metals such as acrylic, wood, MDF, fabric, and leather, and for engraving organics. Choose CO2 for non-metal parts and fiber for sheet metal.

Question 4

How thick can a CO2 laser cut?

Accepted Answer

Typical CO2 lasers cut up to about 1/2 inch of acrylic and roughly 3/4 inch of wood, depending on laser power. Thicker stock cuts more slowly with more edge char; for thick wood or composites a CNC router is often a better fit.

Question 5

Can a CO2 laser engrave as well as cut?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The same machine raster-engraves logos, text, and photos and vector-engraves fine lines, then cuts the part out in one setup. It is common for signage, awards, packaging, and product marking on wood, acrylic, and leather.

Design rule	Typical spec	Why
Min feature / web	>= material thickness	Thin webs between cuts scorch or burn away.
Min hole diameter	>= material thickness	Small holes taper and char on thicker stock.
Max thickness (typical)	~1/2 in acrylic, ~3/4 in wood	Thicker stock cuts slower with more edge char.
Kerf	0.004 to 0.02 in	Varies by material and power; account for it on mating parts.
Tolerance	+/- 0.005 to 0.01 in	Repeatable; wood moves more than acrylic.
Engraving depth	raster or vector	Same machine engraves logos, text, and artwork in one setup.

Process	Best for	Typical volume	Choose it over CO2 Laser Cutting when
Fiber Laser	Metal sheet and plate	Prototype to production	You are cutting metal, which a fiber laser handles and a CO2 laser cannot cut well.
CNC Routing	Thick wood, composites, 3D profiles	Prototype to production	The stock is thick, or you need pockets, chamfers, and 3D features, not just a flat cut.
Waterjet Cutting	Thick or heat-sensitive material	Prototype to production	You need thick stock or cannot accept a charred, heat-affected edge.
Die Cutting	High-volume flat parts (paper, fabric, gasket)	1,000+	You are running high volumes of a simple flat shape and can amortize a die.

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