Resources · Laser Cutting Basics
What Is Laser Cutting?
Laser cutting is a process that cuts material with a focused, high-energy laser beam guided by CNC, melting or vaporizing a narrow line so parts separate with a clean edge. This guide explains the basics, what it cuts, and where it fits.
This Guide
Find the answer faster
Jump straight to the part you need — how it works, what it cuts, where it fits, and which machine matches the job.
What this guide covers
The essentials a buyer needs before sizing a laser cutter.
How It Works
A focused beam, guided by CNC
A CNC program guides a focused laser beam across the material. The beam concentrates energy on a small spot, melting or vaporizing a narrow kerf, while an assist gas clears the molten material so parts separate with a clean edge.
Step By Step
The cutting process in four steps
From CNC path to finished edge, here is what happens as the head follows the program.
A CNC program defines the part path.
The laser focuses energy to a small spot on the material.
The beam melts or vaporizes a narrow kerf as the head follows the path.
Assist gas clears the molten material for a clean edge.
What It Cuts
What laser cutting cuts
For metal, fiber lasers cut a wide range of alloys in sheet, plate and tube. Capacity depends on power.
Capacity depends on power; see our metal laser cutting range.
Explore The Range
Related laser cutting machines
Match the machine to your material and format — sheet, precision or tube.
Sheet Metal Laser Cutting
Flat-sheet and plate cutting for carbon steel, stainless and aluminum.
Precision Laser Cutting
Fine-feature and small-part cutting where edge quality and tolerance matter.
Tube Laser Cutting
Tube and profile cutting for round, square and rectangular sections.
Applications
Where laser cutting is used
A clean, CNC-guided edge suits fabrication, structural work and precision parts alike.
Sheet metal
Tube & profile
Precision part
Plate
Fine detailApplications shown are typical for fiber laser cutting.
From Our Team
“Fiber has become the default for metal cutting for good reason — but the right choice still depends on your thickness range and throughput. We help buyers size the machine to the actual job, not the brochure.”
Keep Exploring
From guide to machine selection
Ready to match a machine to your job? Continue to the cutting lines and related guides.
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Talk to our laser cutting team
Tell us your material, thickness and throughput — we’ll help you size the right machine.